SETTLEMENT AT CHUNAR.
Chunar, the first scene of Mr. Corrie’s stated ministry in India,
used to be a place of greater importance than it is now that the
frontier of the British Empire has been so much extended in all
directions. The fortress is spread over the sides of a high rock
which is washed by the Ganges; and although the place is not
considered unhealthy, yet during some months in the year, the heat
at Chunar is intense. The Europeans stationed there, when Mr. C.
was chaplain, were all military, and for the most part invalids,
who, though unfit for active service, were equal to garrison-duty.
Besides those Europeans and some Sepoys, there were a few half-castes
of Portuguese extraction, and some native women who followed the
army. Without the cantonments was a Hindoo and Mahomedan population
amounting to 10,000 or 12,000 souls. The Europeans, also, at Secrole
(about twelve miles from Chunar) became afterwards part of Mr.
Corrie’s charge; whilst the vast heathen population of Benares, with
its cruel and senseless superstitions, opened out a large field for
the exercise of missionary zeal and christian philanthropy.
The extracts given below from Mr. Corrie’s journal and Letters,
will explain the nature of his official duties, and missionary
operations. It will be seen that he had many obstacles to encounter
in his efforts to impart the knowledge of Christ to those “who lay
in darkness and in the shadow of death.”[30] Among the many trials,
too, which his faith had to sustain, not the least will appear to
have arisen from the determined hostility to all missionary labours,
manifested by the Government of India; in forgetfulness, it may be
presumed, of the great truth, that as “the kingdoms of this world
are” destined to “become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ,”
all opposition to the spread of Christianity is hostility to the
“King of kings.”[31]
“Sunday, Feb. 22nd. This day I begin my labours at Chunar,
and have much reason to adore him who heareth prayer, for
smoothing my way, and opening a door of hope that good will
be done. I arose at five o’clock this morning and prepared
for divine service. At seven o’clock, I went to the place
of worship, and found there the effective artillery-men,
the garrison invalids, and several of the others, with the
Colonel, Captain P., Lieut. A., and the invalid officers
D. and H. with some other officers of the Fort. Observed
several very attentive. At half past nine o’clock I went to
the hospital, and found a table set, and the people very
ready to hear, and attentive. Now, O Lord,
“Do thou the gracious harvest raise,
And thine alone shall be the praise.”
“Feb. 25th. This evening I went to see the Roman Catholic
chapel, a small place of about eight feet square,
surrounded with a veranda. A dish with spices, and another
with flour, were placed on the altar. A Padre comes
occasionally, but he has not been here for the last two
years; he has baptized several native women connected with
Europeans; but I cannot find that any other natives have
been baptized by him.
“Feb. 27th. Yesterday and to-day, I had an opportunity of
talking with some poor women, Portuguese Roman Catholics,
about Jesus Christ; and found some relief to my own mind in
recommending Him to their regard. From one I learned (what
indeed I had heard before) that at Bettiah, situate in what
used to be the old kingdom of Nepaul, eight days’ journey
inland from Chuprah, all the inhabitants are Roman Catholic
christians: a padre resides amongst them, and they have a
church.
“March 8th. The week has passed with little profit. I
received a letter from dear Martyn,[32] which comforted
me not a little. On returning from public service, I
found some earnestness in prayer to God for my flock;
for the Church in India; and her ministers; for my dear
relatives; for my former flock, and all who pray for me;
but especially for my dear country, her government, her
ministers, her people; and for all christians. After dinner
I called in the Bettiah-christian,[33] and found him
intelligent, and very attentive to his padre. He gave me
the history of the creation and fall of man, with a mixture
of fable, and some confusion in the connexion. He seems to
know nothing experimentally of Christ; and, if I understood
him rightly, considers that the sin of Adam, which fell
upon his posterity, is removed by Christ; and that now by
attending to the sacraments we obtain pardon of sin. God
grant me wisdom to deal prudently with him: he appears
sincere, but not very humble.
“March 9th. This morning I went to the hospital, in
consequence of a message from a native woman, who is
desirous of baptism: she appeared anxious to go in God’s
way, as she expressed it; and with tears said, that from
her heart she desired baptism. On my asking her whether she
was a sinner? She replied, That before, or towards God, she
was a sinner: but on being further questioned, confessed
she did not know wherein she had done amiss, except it were
in living in an unmarried state; looking wistfully at the
man. I took occasion, from this confession, to speak of the
evil of this circumstance, and of the only way of obtaining
forgiveness, through the blood of Christ. She promised to
keep this word in her heart, and to pray according to my
directions. The man appears sensible of the evil of his
present habits; and promises that, if the woman lives, he
will marry her. I am at a loss how to proceed: to refuse
her baptism will evidently be a grief to her; and I hope
she is awakened to a sense of her sin. May the Lord direct
me!
“March 15th. I went yesterday evening to the barracks; and
if circumstances had been favourable, should have married
the persons above-mentioned; but find I should have broken
military regulations if I had done so. To-day, the man
seems unwilling; but the woman expressed dread at the
thought of continuing in sin. I have observed, on several
occasions, when explaining christian subjects through a
native who understands English, that they [the natives]
have a great reluctance to speak of Jesus Christ, and never
do it till I urge it again.
“March 17th. A letter from dear Martyn dispirits me;[34]
as, from the dislike manifested to his schools, I may see
how little is to be hoped for: yet we expect opposition;
why then should I be dismayed? O my soul! hope in God!
Notwithstanding, I have engaged a schoolmaster, and am
waiting to see the result. I have employed myself to-day in
translating the ten commandments into Hindoostanee, with
the assistance of a moonshee. He could not, for a long
time, understand why God is called a ‘jealous God.’
“March 18th. A native woman has been with me, expressing
her desire for baptism. I made the moonshee read to her
the ten commandments; and could not help smiling to hear
one Hindoo explain the law of God to another: she exhibits
no humility. The Bettiah-christian pleased me much this
evening: he mentioned four good works which God approved
of; three of which I understood to be faith, love, and
obedience to the law. I replied, that if faith was in the
heart, all the other good works would follow; if we really
believed the love of Christ to sinners, we must love Him
in return. He answered, that it was true; and said, If
faith is not in the heart, none of the other graces would
be there. All this was said with a seriousness and gravity
which looked very like sincerity, if it was not really so.
A female attending the woman who has applied for baptism,
interfering very improperly, was desired to hold her peace.
She left the room with marks of great anger, having before
exhibited symptoms of uneasiness; especially when the
seventh commandment was repeated. So does Satan rage when
his strongholds are attacked!
“March 22nd. In conversation with Mooney Lol and Moonshee,
on the necessity of making inquiry for ourselves in matters
of the soul, I remarked an expression which has dwelt
much on my mind: ‘When we have a king of our own to order
us in the right way, we will then walk in it.’ This, with
other circumstances, convinces me of the impolicy of the
Government, in withholding Christianity from the natives.
They are tasting of British liberty; but, having no
principles to guide them, when they feel their strength,
they will expel the British; whereas now, if missionaries
were permitted, they would, in two generations, probably
all embrace Christianity.
“March 26th. This evening, after conversation with the
native woman, I baptized her, with earnest warning not to
trust to the outward sign. She said, She had been a sinner,
but that she would pray to Jesus, night and day, to make
her free from sin, and would be His slave, and serve Him
for ever. After the service she cast her eyes up to heaven,
and kept them fixed for some time, with an appearance of
most ardent supplication. Afterwards I went home with
Sergeant M’D., whose wife, though a Roman Catholic, wishes
to communicate.
“April 2nd. Yesterday morning I went to the barracks. I
asked the native woman whom I lately baptized, whether she
prayed? She answered, ‘Yes.’ ‘What do you pray to God for?’
‘To make me well in this world if He pleases; and if not,
to take me to Himself.’ I endeavoured to impress on her
the necessity of asking all in Christ’s name; which she
seemed to attend to very diligently. The man was impressed.
In the evening I went to bury a child; and spoke to three
invalids, plainly and at length, on the necessity of
winning Christ.
“April 6th. I learned from the Moonshee that the old
schoolmaster, in order to keep his scholars from the free
school, circulated a report that I should send the children
to Calcutta; which, it seems, keeps many back; but this
notion, however, is now done away with.
“April 8th. Yesterday the Bettiah-walla came again after an
absence of a fortnight. He said he had been unwell; and
his appearance bespoke it. He told me that he was poor and
helpless without Jesus Christ. To-day he came again, and
read, with evident interest, the fourteenth and fifteenth
chapters of St. John; especially the promise of being one
with God and Christ. The account of the fruitless branches
also impressed him; and he confessed that his heart was
backward towards God. This morning the children of the
school came to me: I was much struck with their appearance,
and artless manners. The Bettiah-walla received the ten
commandments with reluctance: the second is not in his
number. I took several occasions of pointing out to him the
name of Jesus, as the only medium of access to God; and
observed that we must not pray to saints. At hearing this,
his countenance fell. O that the Lord may lead him into all
truth!
“April 10th, 1807. This day I have completed my thirtieth
year. I have been reviewing my birth-day memoranda, and
I feel quite abased. Alas! where is the blessedness I
experienced some time back; or was I then under a mistake
as to my real state? I suspect that much of animal feeling
mixed with my former experience, for I think my soul is as
fixed as ever, in knowing nothing upon earth but ‘Jesus
Christ and him crucified.’ Yet, O my God (for mine thou
art) search me! The Lord’s mercies to me are innumerable:
if I should attempt to number them, they exceed the minutes
of my existence; but alas! my heart is insensible; my
affections are as cold as ice: I am become a stone to the
fear of death; and the terror of the Lord, rather than
the sweet love of Jesus Christ, seems to constrain all
my doings. There is not a desire, I think, to keep back
a tittle of God’s word. I even feel the time long till
the Lord’s day returns, that I may have an opportunity of
warning poor sinners: yet when it comes my heart is heavy;
and I go with a kind of sullenness and desponding tardiness
to God’s work. O that it were with me as in months past!
The Lord has marvellously hid me from the strife of
tongues, has wonderfully supported my feeble mind, has
enabled me to seek the salvation of souls with a boldness
unusual to my nature; and has given testimony to the word
of His grace in this place. He supports me in solitude, and
enables me to spend days alone without weariness: praised
be His name! The undivided and glorious Trinity are worthy
of my adoration and love. O rather let me go mourning thy
absence to the grave than attempt to satisfy my soul with
contemptible trash! Yet, in thy manifold mercies, let me
taste thy love, and praise thee in the use of all that thou
bestowest! The prosperity of Zion is my earnest desire:
the conversion of the British and the heathen, the success
of my preaching, schools, and private attempts [to do
good] are the subjects of my daily prayer. O that the Lord
would bless these feeble efforts, would perfect that which
belongeth unto me! Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my
soul and body: and look with humble hope to be kept by thy
power through faith unto salvation.
“Martyn alarms me by expressing a wish for my removal.[35]
I feel very reluctant to it; and am enabled to resign
myself to God in prayer, even to die here; if, in this way,
He will be more glorified.
“April 12th. This evening, I buried the native woman whom
I lately baptized; and spoke to the people from 1 Cor. xv.
33. ‘Evil communications corrupt good manners.’ O Lord,
grant thy blessing! Let thy promise come, and then shall
sinners in great numbers be converted unto thee!”
The following Letter to Mr. Buckworth dated May 22nd, 1807, contains
some interesting particulars of which there is no record in the
Journal:--
“From the first of January till the beginning of this
month, I was much affected by this climate; and did
not begin to recover till April. Thanks to a kind
Providence, I am now quite well; and have escaped that
first attack on arrival, which has carried off four of my
fellow-passengers. The effect of this climate was felt as
severely by my mind as my body: a listlessness and languor
rendered any little exertion a burden: even my devotion was
for the most without life or activity; and, alas! little
of that lively spirit I, in some poor measure, enjoyed
in England, remains with me. I bless God who enables me
to live on Christ as my ‘All in All’ and keeps alive in
my heart a sense of the value of His favour, and the
excellency of the ‘purchased possession.’ The absence of
lively feeling I conceive to be occasioned by the want
of ‘the communion of saints;’ and I remember, with tears
sometimes, those days ‘when I went to the house of God with
the multitude of those that kept holy day.’ I am very far,
however, from being without marks of the Divine favour: I
am enabled to spend weeks alone without weariness; and to
find pleasure in those studies which may qualify me for
extensive usefulness. We have here about three hundred
Europeans, invalids, and officers; of the latter I see
little, although we exchange mutual civilities: perhaps, I
am not three hours in a week, on the average, in civilized
society; though I might be much more if I chose, but find
it my duty and privilege to avoid much visiting.
“One Sergeant has embraced the truth in love, I trust; and
some others are hopeful. A native, descended from Roman
Catholic parents, has been daily with me; and we read
the gospel in Hindoostanee together: he is a man of good
understanding. When I found him here (February) he had
not seen the Scriptures: he now understands much of the
general sense of the gospels; and evidences a pleasing
spirit of enquiry. I am not at present, however, without
fears respecting his real conversion. Should it please
God to work effectually in him, the blessing to his poor
countrymen might prove incalculable. You will wonder,
perhaps, that I do not speak with rapture on the subject
of the conversion of the natives; be assured, dearest B.,
no subject is nearer my heart; and this I feel assured of,
that whilst health and strength remain, my life shall be
devoted to the furtherance of this work, as well as the
more immediate objects of my present appointment. The works
of the devil are here manifest, and excite an abhorrence
in my soul, which, by the grace of God, will to the last
make me labour to destroy them: but the effects of my
labours are not, according to human appearance, likely to
be immediate. The rising generation seem to be the most
likely subjects; and some favoured servant of Christ may,
probably, lay my head in the dust, and enter on his labour
here among ‘a people prepared for the Lord.’ But ‘they who
sow and they who reap shall rejoice together’ in the day of
our Lord’s appearing.
“The superstition of this country is of such a complicated
kind, that I can say nothing with certainty about it, at
present. Almost every person has a different idol; or a
different account of the same idol; and the objects of
their worship are innumerable. A circumstance that took
place yesterday morning, may help to shew you the folly of
their worship: its wickedness, in some respects, cannot be
named. The fort of Chunar (in which I live) is a fortified
hill of about two miles in circumference; the ramparts
command an extensive view on all sides, and most mornings
I take a walk upon them before sun-rise. It seems, that
the first founder of this fort and his tutor are both
canonized, and are supposed to preside here still, and are
worshipped as tutelar deities. Yesterday morning, at the
south end, most remote from the guard-house, I found the
firelock, turban, and sacred drinking-vessel of one of the
sentinels: a brahmin was placed by the sentry-box, and was
observed by me below. I passed on. As I returned, he spoke;
but I did not stop. Thinking afterwards that he might be
ill, I called a servant, and sent him to see. Now observe.
He said that, at three in the morning, he had seen two
figures of men approaching, that he challenged them, and
that they immediately flew upon him, beat him unmercifully,
and, after he was stripped, kicked him off the rampart,
ten feet at least (the ramparts were certainly seven feet
high). The Jemadar (a native officer) who, with others, was
come to his assistance, was very angry with him, and said
these figures were the identical founder of the fort and
his tutor, who dwell in this part of the fort, and have
thrown two sentinels over the parapet for interrupting
them: this the brahmin before mentioned believed, and this
opinion was current. I asked how this god came to beat him,
a brahmin, so sacred a man? He readily answered, That the
tutor is not a good, but a bad spirit; and they worship him
to keep him from doing them injury. I said to some others,
that it was quite plain that even a brahmin himself was
not beyond the power of these demons; how then could they
expect the brahmins to defend them? They were silent; but
evidently not convinced, as they offer goats in sacrifice,
and pour out wine in libations, which they fancy the demon
eats and drinks. I told them not to be so profuse in their
offerings, lest Bhyzoonát should become so wanton as to
destroy them all.
“A rich Brahmin told me yesterday that if any one died in
Benares, or within ten miles of it, he would undoubtedly
go to heaven, though he were ever so great an offender. I
told him I would come some night and plunder his house,
and then go to Benares, and so secure both present and
future riches. He saw my meaning, and said with a smile,
‘there is no need for Sahib to take any money by force;
my wealth is all at his feet,’ and so evaded my argument.
I could fill volumes with conversations of this kind, but
they have no more seeming effect than words spoken to the
air; so deeply-rooted is error in their minds, and so
congenial are their lying idols to the corrupt nature of
man. I should not, however, forget the power of God, nor
limit its operation. This I feel sure of, that the young,
with means of instruction, will grow up ashamed of their
idolatry; and means of instruction are not now entirely
wanting. My three dear sons in the faith (young officers
who were fellow-passengers) continue to walk in the truth.
O, were the British all true Christians, the conversion of
the heathen world, humanly speaking, would be comparatively
an easy work! The appointment of Chaplain is, in this point
of view, important.”
It will be recollected (p. 62), that a short time before Mr. Corrie
left Calcutta to proceed to Chunar, he had consulted with Mr. Brown
and other friends, as to the means by which they “might best promote
the glory of God in the earth,” and that among other means that were
deemed likely to contribute towards so noble an object, one was, that
each of the parties then present should forward a quarterly report of
his ministerial plans and prospects, to Mr. Brown in Calcutta; who,
having appended his own observations, should transmit a copy of the
combined reports to each individual.[36]
It was considered that a mutual knowledge of the facts and
observations which might be accumulated in the course of each other’s
labours and experience, would tend greatly to encourage and direct
them as individuals, amid the difficulties which the Missionary
and Chaplain had then to contend with. The first of these Reports
seems to have been made on the 6th of April 1807, but no copy of Mr.
Corrie’s communications is met with among his papers, of an earlier
date than the Report which is here subjoined.
“Chunar, July 6, 1807.
“The same routine of engagements and employments offers
little of variety, either to amuse or profit my honoured
brethren; but the idea of being under an engagement to
communicate something on this day, has been no little spur
to activity, that I might have something to relate to them.
The motive I feel to be an unworthy one; but those among
whom I am placed may have been benefited from it, and our
plan will redound to their benefit at least.
“My mind has at times, been sorely exercised with
temptations to give up all exertion in the cause of Christ,
and take my ease like those around me; more especially,
about a fortnight since, the improbability of success,
the sneers of the world, the dread of singularity, were
the chief engines the enemy attacked me with, respecting
the Europeans; respecting the Heathen, his suggestions
were chiefly, the opposition of government, the extreme
ignorance of the natives, the fear of commotions in the
country, should I attempt their conversion. These, like
fiery darts, were at different times, and in divers ways,
cast into my soul, and grievously wounded me. I bless God,
whose love is everlasting, that He has rebuked the tempter.
I look back as one who has escaped shipwreck, barely with
life; and I feel determined, through the grace of Christ,
to count not even life dear unto myself, so that I may
finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have
received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the
grace of God.
“We have had divine service regularly every Sunday morning,
at sun-rise, in the fort. Our commanding officer has for
some time left off attending, though he continues very
civil and obliging. He makes ill health an excuse; although
he has occasionally been in the fort soon after the time
of worship, and without any cause but his own pleasure.
Another officer has also left off attending, although
for some time after my first arrival, he was regularly
among us. Some others have all along been irregular in
their attendance, and continue to come occasionally. The
gentleman and his wife, I alluded to in my last report,
do not go on as I had hoped, though they are very kind,
and my only intimate associates. Although he does not
enter into my views, he yet talks familiarly with me on
the subject of religion, and tells me his own views and
feelings respecting it; which, together with their regular
attendance on public worship, made me to hope they were
under a divine influence. But, oh, the love of this present
evil world, is a clog which weighs down the souls even of
those who know more of its vanity, than these [persons] at
present do.
“Among the common men, I trust some good has been done,
although little to lasting benefit, as yet. I mentioned a
sergeant of Invalids, who joined himself to me soon after
my arrival. He is now in the hospital, and seemingly in the
last stage of sickness. He made a profession of godliness
in his youth, in England, it seems. He is now greatly
alive to the consequences of death. He is become extremely
communicative, and in comparison of what he used to be,
eloquent. His experience is such a lesson to backsliders,
as makes me anxious to communicate it separately, when the
final scene may be closed; and, therefore, I shall say
nothing more of him here.
“A Serjeant on the pension-list, has, since my last,
evinced considerable concern for salvation; and is, I
trust, in a fair way. Another Serjeant also reads, and
assents to the books I lend him, and I am told, is somewhat
reformed in conduct; but still is by no means a hopeful
character.
“The native woman whom I baptized, died and was buried,
April 12th. The man with whom she lived, is since married,
having expressed great concern for his former conduct,
and thanks for my admonitions; declaring, at the same
time, that he never before was told he was doing wrong,
in this respect; and that, for the fifteen years he has
been in this country, he had not seen a clergyman, to his
knowledge, till I arrived here. Another has put away his
native woman; and another is now desiring to be married,
but his commanding officer refuses to give permission, on
the score of the woman’s character.
“No public worship as yet has been established at the
barracks, chiefly in consequence of my health having been
very unsettled. I am anxiously hoping to be able soon to
have opportunity of speaking to them publicly the word of
life. It oppresses me with grief, when I can feel as I
ought, that many, perhaps 150, of the number of Invalids,
seldom, or never join the public worship. The man who
for some time has read prayers in his dwelling on Sunday
mornings, continues to do so, being lame, and so unable
to come up to the Fort; I fear, however, he is without
experience of the love and grace of Christ. On Whitsunday I
administered the Lord’s Supper to four. Thus far respecting
the Europeans here, whom I consider myself, in a peculiar
manner, called to attend to.
“At Secrole, which I visited last week, I found a merchant
of real piety, though from his relating of a vision, he is,
in my opinion, something enthusiastic. He devotes much time
to the relief of poor and sick natives. He, for some time,
read prayers on Sunday mornings and evenings, to the few
artillery-men in their barracks; till, on his imprudently
administering medicine to a sick man, he was forbidden all
communication with them. He, however, still reads prayers
and a sermon, in his own house, on Sundays, and some join
him. One artillery-man, he speaks of, as a true christian.
He had not before met with any who could understand him,
and had frequent thoughts of writing to Mr. Brown; but
feared that his letter would not be welcome. He is a stiff
churchman; and when I asked him whether he had read the
Missionary Magazine, which I saw in his shop, he started
at the idea, and said ‘He never had any connection with
Dissenters.’
“Respecting the heathen, I have instituted four schools for
the instruction of children; two on each side the Fort. On
either side, one for Hindoos, and one for Mussulmans. In
one Hindoo school are thirty-seven: in the other thirteen.
In one Mussulman school, are twenty-two; in the other
sixteen. In all eighty-eight children. Of these a few
now know their letters, and I am much exercised in mind
respecting the introduction of the Scriptures among them.
The Gooroos are quite averse to any books; it has never
been the custom, they say, for them to read books; and the
Mahomedans have books. I trust the Lord will guide me,
and not suffer me to mar his work by my extreme ignorance
of the best mode of proceeding. The nearer I approach the
work, the greater appears its difficulty, the more I feel
my own insufficiency. If any good is done among us, how
evidently will it appear to be of God.
“Not having a copy of my last report, I know not whether
I mentioned some native Roman Catholic Christians who
daily attended me for reading the Scriptures. Only
one of four continues to come, and he seems to be in
earnest. He has with great reluctance been brought to
confess, that at least the purgatory of the Papists,
their transubstantiation, and prayer to saints, have no
foundation in Scripture. He has read the Gospels through;
St. John twice, and we are now going through St. Matthew a
second time. He has brought his wife and family to Chunar;
and has expressed a wish to instruct his native brethren,
if I will find him subsistence. After many expressions
of this kind, I told him, that he must consider that the
Company give no authority for this; that he must expect no
more favour than others, from the British; that I would
only support him with necessaries, but should expect
his children would be taught to earn their bread; and
desired him to reflect seriously on the subject, and make
it matter of prayer to God. He has not expressed so much
eagerness since this, as before. He, however, has much
conversation with the native baptized persons; tells them
faithfully of their sin and heathen practices; and I think
is himself a true Christian. He yesterday explained to me
the Parable of the Sower very exactly, without reference to
our Lord’s explanation. It may not be amiss to transcribe
a few remarks I have noted down respecting this man’s
knowledge of divine truth. I understand him better than he
understands me, but I enquire of him the meaning of what
I have said, till I find he has caught the idea I wish to
convey.
“Saturday, May 16th. The Bettiah-walla remembered very
exactly what I explained to him yesterday of our Lord’s
discourse with Nicodemus; he, also, remembered very
correctly the explanation of the allusion to the brazen
serpent, repeating what I had told him of that transaction.
On asking him, in what sense must we look to Christ; he
answered, Jesus Christ is not now on the cross: but, as He
said to Thomas, who seeing the prints of the nails in his
hands, cried out ‘My Lord and my God,’--‘Blessed is he that
hath not seen, and yet hath believed,’ so it is with our
hearts that we must look to Him; and believing that He hath
given his blood for us, and having our hearts made clean
by His Spirit, we shall not perish, but have everlasting
life. He explained John iii. 17. (without being asked) very
scripturally, and evidently with a sense of its value.
“May 18th. In the afternoon, I had pleasure in acquiring
the Hindoostanee. On asking the Bettiah-walla what was
meant by the declaration, ‘No man can come to me except the
Father which hath sent me draw him;’ he answered, ‘No one
desires to come to Christ unless God enlighten his mind,
and dispose his heart.’ On asking him, What is meant by the
expression, in John vi. 40. ‘Seeing the Son;’ he replied,
‘Seeing Him in his word, and with our hearts.’ He has
had a conversation with a Mahomedan, who concluded with
saying that Mahomet was the last prophet. The Bettiah-walla
answered, ‘According to their own book Jesus is Noor-Ullah,
i. e. the Son of God, that He died, and rose, and went
up to heaven, and will come to judgment:’ The Mahomedan
consented. Bettiah-walla: ‘Your prophet is sleeping, as
you allow; whether is greatest, a sleeping or a living
prophet?’ He allowed that the living one was the greatest,
and promised to come again to-morrow. The Bettiah-walla
answered to my question, ‘How it is that if any man will
do His will he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of
God.’ (John vii. 17.) ‘The Holy Ghost will come upon him
and make his heart glad and holy.’”
“On one occasion I discovered him in a fault, which he
confessed with tears, making no attempt to conceal it, and
I believe has not fallen into it again. It was at a time I
perceived him to be much puffed up with his attainments,
and would gladly have made him feel the force of the
apostle’s words, ‘Let him that thinketh &c.’
“My chief employment has been the study of Hindoostanee,
in which however I have made but little progress, from
frequent indisposition. My experience has in general been
of a very painful kind. Accustomed to enjoy the communion
of saints, and the comfort of their faith and love, I know
but little, I perceive, how to live by faith. That passage
has been the food of my soul for some time past. 2 Cor.
i. 22. The name of Jesus has been refreshing ‘as ointment
poured forth;’ and in this name, I doubt not finally to
triumph.”
It may not, perhaps, be considered foreign to the purpose of these
Memoirs to relate, that the sergeant of invalids referred to in
the foregoing Report of Mr. Corrie’s proceedings, was the son of a
dissenting minister at St. Albans, and had been religiously brought
up; but that, having cast off the fear of God, he had run a sad
career of sin and intemperance, until arrested in his course by the
sickness which proved fatal to him. Many short notices occur, in
Mr. Corrie’s journal, of the sergeant’s last illness; and a fuller
account of him appeared at the time, in the Cottage Magazine. It may
suffice, therefore, to state that after the unhappy man had passed
through many alternations of terror and despair, in the fearful
expectation of a judgment to come, there was reason to believe that
he went down to the grave in hope. Respecting the Bettiah-christian
and the Mahomedan who are noticed in the Report, some further account
occurs in a letter to the Rev. J. Buckworth.
“August 2nd. 1807.
“By a letter received this day, from my sister, I learn
the very agreeable tidings of your presentation to the
vicarage of Dewsbury. This event takes away indeed, every
latent hope that your lot might have been cast in India;
but the souls of the people of Dewsbury are of equal value
with those of Asia; and I earnestly pray that you may reap
a rich harvest of souls as a reward of your labours among
them....
“But whilst I am taken up with those whose faces I have
seen in the flesh, you are wanting to know how the work
of the Lord prospers in India. I can only say that the
general aspect of spiritual affairs is pleasing. Were you
to ask particulars, I could not, perhaps, satisfactorily
tell you why I say so; yet the progress of translation of
the holy Scriptures, with the increased numbers of faithful
enquirers, is surely matter of hope. I could dwell much
on the labours of that dear servant of Christ, Martyn,
in translating, and in exerting himself to propagate
the knowledge of salvation among Europeans and heathen;
but, without an intimate acquaintance with this country
and people, much explanation would be necessary. For
myself, the climate has so much affected me as to make the
retrospect of my life nearly a blank: some fruit, however,
has already appeared. Praised be He who ‘giveth the
increase!’...
“The native Christian I formerly mentioned, has renounced
the errors of Popery, of his own accord, after a good deal
of argument in favour of his old opinions. I believe him to
be sincere, and that his heart is right with God. Sometimes
he seems amused rather than grieved with the opposition of
the Jews to our Lord; but this, though it gives me pain,
is not so much to be wondered at, from the extreme want
of reflection manifested by all the natives. I now allow
him support for himself, wife, and two children. He is
very ready in reproving and exhorting a class of people,
descendants of the Portuguese, who are very numerous in
India, and are nominal Christians. He warns them faithfully
of the sin and folly of people called Christians, living as
do the heathen; and, at my instance, he reads to them the
Scriptures very frequently: so that I hope he may be made
an instrument of good. By his means, also, a Mahomedan has
been brought at least to doubt the divine commission of
the lying prophet. This man now frequently comes to me. He
has read the Sermon on the Mount (which I happily had by
me, translated into Persian, by a Mr. Chambers, now dead)
and manifests a very pleasing earnestness in search of
truth. Nearly one hundred and twenty children are learning
to read, at my expence: the circumstance of being able to
read the Scriptures when put into their hands will be of
no small advantage; as the custom of the son’s persisting
in the business and steps of the father, precludes the
multitude from ever thinking the knowledge of letters
desirable. Indeed the character in which their sacred books
are written is not allowed to be read by any but Brahmins.
The written and printed characters are the same; as they
have had no printed books till of late; so that in learning
they have an advantage over us, as they learn to read
and write at the same time, first making the letter with
chalk, or in the dust, and then pronouncing it. I have had
much pleasure at times in exercising the proficiency of
the children. Some of them have countenances expressive
of every good quality: the difference of the complexion
is forgotten under the impression that ‘of one blood hath
God made all the families of the earth.’ A small present
delights the little fellows; and they sometimes come up to
me with smiling faces, as I pass; and make _salaam_ with
great appearance of attachment.
“I have said that appearances are pleasing: you will
conclude that I speak comparatively. Alas! I ought to weep
day and night at the reflection, that in this small place
there are about 10,000, souls ‘sitting in darkness and the
shadow of death!’ O that the Lord may speedily open a door
for the entrance of Divine light among them! I am learning
the native language as fast as my slothful nature, and
the unsettled state of my affairs, calling me continually
here and there, will let me. My Moonshee can now perfectly
understand me: and when I tell him my meaning, he points
out the proper word. In this way, besides my reading for
instruction, I have translated the history of Joseph; and
also to the sixth chapter of Genesis; and have got to the
seventh of Acts. These will soon be useless, as better
translations will be to be had; but they are of use to the
above-mentioned native Christian for himself, and those who
listen to his conversation; and these exercises improve
myself. I shall begin Persian soon (D. V.) The Hebrew
is a key to the Arabic; and Arabic and Persian are so
blended with the Hindoostanee, the popular language of this
country, that without the knowledge of Arabic and Persian,
Hindoostanee cannot be perfectly understood.
“In order, too, to translate accurately, you know, the
knowledge of Hebrew and Greek is necessary. You would
be astonished at the subtilty with which the Hindoos (I
mean learned Hindoos) argue on religious points. A rich
man of this place one day visiting me, we entered into a
discussion respecting one of their incarnations of the
deity. The incarnate God, from their account, married many
wives, had many children, &c. and when I observed that
these things could not be the actions of God, assigning my
reasons, &c. he readily answered, that the deity having
taken to himself a human body, these actions were the
actions of the man, and the godhead residing in him had
no part in them; that I acknowledged Messiah ate, drank,
slept &c., which were as little the actions of God, as
those related of Krishnoo. I answered, that the body being
the instrument of the soul, needs refreshment to support
it in its labours; but that the body cannot accomplish
any of its desires without the concurrence of the spirit
that actuates it; so that this multiplying of wives, and
other acknowledged sinful actions, would not have been
accomplished by Krishnoo without the animating spirit. He
at length left me, something in anger.
“I have written this at different intervals, which may
apologize for its blots and inaccuracies: but why should I
make apologies to you? With what inexpressible tenderness
does the remembrance of the sweet counsel I have taken with
you, return at times! I can now, in my mind’s eye, view
the roads we walked together, the houses we visited, the
companies we frequented;--the hymns we sang together, the
petitions we joined in at the throne of grace, are many
of them fresh in mind; and, when I am in tolerably good
spirits, they delight me exceedingly.
“But, my general experience is of a more painful nature:
doubts and temptations press hard upon me. The enervating
effects of the climate make all my graces wither; and I go
on rather in the spirit of sullen obstinacy than under the
influence of the constraining love of Jesus.
“I hope you have written to me. Think of a solitary being,
on the top of a hill ninety feet above the level of the
water, without a creature near to speak a word of comfort,
or to suggest a word of advice; and you will not think an
hour thrown away that may support and animate his soul in
the pursuit of ‘a kingdom that cannot be moved.’”
The anniversary of the day on which Mr. Corrie arrived in Calcutta,
is marked by the following entry made in his journal,
“September 20th, 1807. On this day of the month last year,
I arrived in Calcutta from England. I have determined,
through grace, to keep new-year’s-day, my birth-day,
days of ordination, and of my arrival in India, as days
of examination into my state and views. On reviewing the
memoranda connected with this day, I find great cause
for thankfulness and praise. What I proposed, in the
first place, in coming to India, was the propagation of
Christianity amongst the heathen. I had little idea of the
difficulties attending this work; yet, blessed be God! I
have not lost sight of it. Four schools will, I trust,
prepare many for reading the word of life, when it is
ready for distribution. The native Christian has profited
greatly by the New Testament: he appears truly pious; and
his desire to instruct others, whilst, I hope, it proves
his own sincerity, will, no doubt, be beneficial to many.
My prayers, also, have been answered as it regards this
place. One is departed in peace: one or two others are, I
hope, impressed; most are attentive; and favour is shewed
me by all. I have experienced much mercy in restoration to
health; and especially in the restoring to me the joy of
God’s salvation; and the Lord continues to ‘defend me with
His favour as with a shield.’ I feel in danger from the
love of the world; yet, I hope, I shall be able to overcome
it. I have often dedicated my all to God; and I do again
now devote my all, especially _myself_ do I give up. I
ought to have made greater proficiency in the Hindoostanee;
but I trust, through the power of Christ, to be more
assiduous for the future.”
[30] Luke i. 79.
[31] Rev. xi. 15; xix. 16.
[32] See the Journals and Letters of Henry Martyn, vol.
ii, p. 21.
[33] Mr. Corrie relates (below, p. 73.) in what way, his
acquaintance with this Bettiah-christian commenced.
[34] See Journals and Letters of Henry Martyn, vol. ii.
p. 28, 29.
[35] On account of the effect which the heat of the
climate seemed to be producing on Mr. Corrie’s
health. See JOURNALS AND LETTERS OF HENRY MARTYN,
vol. ii. p. 42.
[36] Journals and Letters of Henry Martyn, vol. ii. p.
41. See some of the like quarterly communications
from Mr. Brown, printed in Wilkinson’s Sketches of
Christianity in North India, pp. 145 and 169.