VISIT TO CALCUTTA--ARRIVAL OF HIS SISTER.
In the beginning of September 1808, Mr. Corrie left Chunar, for
the purpose of meeting his sister at Calcutta on her expected
arrival from England; and on his way thither he spent some weeks
with Mr. Martyn, at Dinapore. Several foreboding expressions occur
in Mr. Corrie’s Journal respecting the possible termination of the
unsatisfactory state of health in which he found Mr. Martyn. With
the purpose, therefore, of relieving that excellent person from the
pressure of clerical duty, Mr. C. remained longer at Dinapore than he
had at first intended. Of Mr. Martyn, also, he writes,
“He entertains the opinion that he shall die before long;
and desired me to tell Mr. Brown that should he die before
my return, he trusted he is in the Lord, and happy. He
wishes, if it please God, to be spared on account of the
translations, but with great earnestness he said, ‘I wish
to have my whole soul swallowed up in the will of God.’
He then observed, ‘When I look back, I see nothing that
affords me satisfaction: all my consolation flows from the
free grace that is in Christ Jesus:--that grace which is
now offered to-day, this is alone what comforts my soul.’”
Considering the brotherly affection that subsisted between the two
friends, it cannot be a matter of surprise, that when, under these
circumstances, the time for parting approached, Mr. C. should have
experienced some depression of spirits.
“This morning,” he writes, “was a mournful time with me.
I could scarcely express myself from the acuteness of my
feelings, but tried to suppress them. I have no idea,
however, but that I shall meet him again, if I am spared to
return; but O! let me not boast of to-morrow, but learn to
die daily.”
When Mr. Corrie reached Calcutta, his joy on meeting a beloved sister
was somewhat modified by the intelligence which she brought that one
of his letters[46] had been printed in an English periodical. The
distress and alarm which this circumstance occasioned Mr. Corrie will
be readily accounted for, when it is recollected that a violent dread
of Missionary operations in India, had at that time taken possession
of the minds of many influential persons, and that a motion had even
been submitted to the Court of East India proprietors for expelling
from India, all the Christian Missionaries who were then labouring
there; and for preventing the circulation of the Scriptures in any of
the languages of the East. Nothing could be more probable, therefore,
than that the publication of any accounts of Mr. Corrie’s labours
among the heathen, would draw down upon him the displeasure of the
Indian government. That such, at least, was the persuasion of Mr. C.
is plain enough, for in announcing to a relative, the safe arrival of
his sister in Calcutta, he adds:--
“I received little of painful intelligence [by her] except
the news of my letter to Buckworth being published. I trust
he has not published any more of them. I cannot write to
him just yet on the subject, lest I should say something
that might wound his feelings: he has caused me more grief
than any event of late has caused me.”
Soon afterwards he more fully expressed his apprehensions in a letter
to Mr. Buckworth himself.
“I heard some time since by a friend, that ‘a letter from
one of the Bengal chaplains who came out in 1806,’ had been
published, and in the then state of the court of India
Directors towards the evangelization of this country,
might be of great detriment. Mary afterwards brought me
word who the offending chaplain is, and who the friend is
that has published his letters. I confess that for a time
I felt myself wounded in the house of friendship. In the
eyes of the world, pride told me that my character would
suffer; and I still expect to see myself caricatured by
the Edinburgh Reviewers, or by some such enemies to all
serious acknowledgment of God. My brother will say, what is
character &c., to being useful to the cause of the gospel?
And so say I, if loss of character stand in competition
with that cause; but really I am sure there must in my
scrawls, written in the fulness of my heart, be ample
matter for criticism; and truly the gospel needs not such
a sorry assistant; especially if the publication should
operate either to my recal, or to restrictions being laid
upon me here. So well assured am I, however, of the purity
of my much-loved friend in his motives for thus sending
me into the world as an author, that I shall love the rod
even that smites me by his hand: and he will rejoice that
I stand ready to glory in the cross of Christ, and count
myself honoured, if thought worthy to suffer shame for
His sake. I hope you have not sent any more of my letters
to the Christian Guardian; and that if you judge any
description of the people or customs, &c. interesting, you
will give it as an extract, and without my name and place
of abode, further than India. I must absolutely forbid
you to publish what I am doing. Let the great day of the
Lord make that manifest. I am sure I shall be found an
unprofitable servant, and ‘this shall be my only plea, that
Jesus lived and died for me.’”
During the whole of Mr. Corrie’s stay in Calcutta he took up his
abode with the Rev. David Brown, from whose counsel and directions
he seems to have derived at all times the greatest advantage. To the
relative referred to above, he writes on this occasion;--
“We are now under the roof of Mr. Brown. I cannot tell you
how much we are indebted to this man of God: he has been,
and is to us younger chaplains, a father in Israel. His
affection for us exceeds the affection of most fathers for
their children. His letters convey the instructions of a
Bishop, with the tenderness of a brother. I trust we feel
his worth and value it aright.”
Yet Mr. Corrie’s anxiety to get back again to his people at Chunar,
did not allow him to remain long in Calcutta. In the letter just now
quoted he observes:--
“My few sheep are in the wilderness without a shepherd, and
some of whom I hoped better things I hear are gone astray:
these thoughts make every place strange to me except
Chunar. There is no one thing on earth worth living for,
but to be employed in our blessed master’s service, to be
ministering in obedience to His will to the spiritual and
temporal good of mankind. When my soul ceases to labour
after this, life will be no blessing to me. How precious
the idea that saints are kept by the power of God! This is
the ground on which I build my hope, of perseverance to
the end; and I know whom I have believed. He who has given
me to know the name of Christ, and to trust therein, will
enable me to draw out all the virtues contained in that
precious name to support me under temptation, and to enable
me to holiness of living.”
Owing, however, to the tedious nature of the passage up the Ganges,
Mr. C. did not reach Chunar till the middle of January 1809. On his
way, he spent a week with Mr. Martyn at Dinapore, and preached there
on Christmas-day 1808. On the following New year’s day, he placed on
record his recollections of the past year:--
“Chuprah; on the way back from Calcutta to Chunar. Sunday,
Jan. 1st. 1809. I desire to review this year past, as in
God’s presence, and to note down His dealings, as I shall
give account at the judgment-seat of Christ.
“First, let me note His mercies _ministerial_, in the
success of my labours at Chunar; where a society of
fourteen are united in the ways of God; second, _personal_,
in the preservation of life, and the vouchsafing of
excellent health; the bringing my sister, who is now with
me, and promises to be indeed a helpmeet for me. Third,
_spiritual_, inasmuch as the Holy Spirit is not withdrawn
from me; nor has the purpose of living only to God forsaken
me: I see that nothing is worth living for, but to live
to God. I determine, the Lord being my helper, to live
to no other purpose.... I am not so watchful of myself
as formerly; but I renew my purposes, would do my first
works, and go on unto perfection. I seem, as far as I know
myself, kept from the love of wealth; but this is, in some
degree at least, from lavishness, which hurries me often
into the other extreme: against this, too, do I resolve;
and would use this world’s goods as one that must give an
account. The work of the Lord among the heathen shall be
attended to, with fresh vigour. I can say nothing of the
Hindoostanees at Chunar, nor of the Schools; but I hope to
do more for them than ever. O Lord, let past mercies be
remembered, as a constraining motive to future exertion;
and, whilst I would mourn for my sins and short-coming, O
keep me in time to come for Christ’s sake. Amen.”
Under the date of Chunar, Jan. 24, 1809, he writes,
“Have been at home ten days, and I trust have not been
quite forgetful of the goodness of God, in taking me out
and bringing me back in safety: but I feel and deplore my
hard heartedness and corruption. On Sunday week resumed
duty at Secrole, twenty attended. Here, on Sunday last,
five services have renewed something of my former pain in
the breast. But, alas! my labours seem all to have been in
vain. Not one seems to have stood his ground. My heart is
greatly cast down, and would fain shrink from any further
trial. Self and worldliness combine to dishearten me from
the work of the Lord. O Lord, leave me not, but revive thy
work in me for Jesus’ sake! Amen.”
In a letter addressed to Mr. Buckworth on the 8th. of Feb; Mr. C.
gives utterance to similar feelings of discomfort:--
“Notwithstanding the many objects new to you, with which I
am surrounded, I scarce know what to write to you about: it
is a time of great spiritual dulness with me; and, owing
to the indisposition of the native teacher, the great work
we have chiefly at heart seems at a stand. My strength is
laid out, in the mean time, among the European soldiers;
and, alas, to little seeming purpose ... I am ready to be
weary of what appears so hopeless a task as the turning
of men, so incorrigible, from the error of their ways:
these workings of my mind are too glaringly impious to
escape even my half-awakened perception, and the greatest
of all opposition I find to spring from my desperately
wicked heart: I trust something of self-abasement, for this
horribly rebellious spirit, exists at the same time.
“You know all the controversy that has arisen at home
respecting missions to this country:[47] there is no
knowing what the end of such opposition to Christ’s kingdom
will be. We have been in expectation of a visit from the
French over land. The late events in Spain may be the means
of keeping us longer quiet here. The French would perhaps
have established their system of worship where they could
have got footing; and any mode of Christianity would have
been preferable to the idolatry and superstition that
overwhelms this unhappy land. My principal employment now
is with a school of Christian native children, five in
number: some of them read easily the Holy Scriptures in
Hindoostanee; and a gleam of joy sometimes enlivens my mind
while hearing them.
“Feb. 15th. Since writing the above, the old native
Christian has been enabled to renew his labours; and
another christian child is come to school. I have had
one of those sudden attacks you happily know little of
in England; it has not yet left me; but my times are in
God’s hand. I find it is good to be afflicted: my soul
returns unto her rest; and, I bless God for a desire only
to know and glorify Him: this I think I can say is all in
all with me. You will have heard of the Roman-catholic
mission established in this country. My Catechist is a
fruit of this mission; and four men and four children in
my employ besides. They are natives of Bettiah in the
kingdom of Nepaul, i. e., the old kingdom of Nepaul; for
now the British posterity of Japheth are dwelling in almost
every corner of the tents of these sons of Shem; and the
old limits of most of the states of this country are in
consequence altered.
“One man from the same place passed the whole of your
summer with me here; and daily read the Scripture with me;
in which he seems to be taught of God. On returning last
September, he withstood the Missionary (an Italian) to his
face, respecting the praying to saints, bowing to images
&c.: he was, in consequence, excommunicated; and, on being
taken ill soon afterwards was beset by two agents of the
missionary, who sounded threatenings of hell, &c., in his
ears; and declared his body should be cast on the dunghill.
Distressed, it seems he paid a fine to be restored to the
Church, and soon after died. In his last days, he begged
some one of his relations to convey his thanks to me,
and to commend his children to me. The message is come,
and the unfeigned tears of these few Christians here on
learning the end of Anselmo, were a striking proof of the
sympathizing spirit induced by Christianity, compared
with the hard and unfeeling spirit of the heathen. On the
map of Hindoostan you see the country of the Seiks; their
capital is Lahore. The state consists of a number of
independent chiefs, under a nominal head; many of these
chiefs have sought our aid against the oppression of their
head; and, as the country they inhabit lies in route of any
overland invading army, we have sent a force in aid of the
petitioners. Two of my young friends (very dear to me in
our common Lord) are with this force. The principal matter
of interest to us in this expedition is, that these Seiks
are, as a nation, Deists.[48] Much superstition, indeed, is
among them; but they are neither Hindoos nor Mussulmans;
and profess themselves worshippers of one invisible God.
Such a state of mind seems favourable to a reception of
Christianity; and, may we not hope our intercourse among
them may be the means of bringing them acquainted with that
only name whereby they must be saved? Martyn is going on,
in company with the converted Arabian,[49] in translating
the Scriptures into Persian. I have seen the Edinburgh
Reviewer’s remarks on the Missionaries[50] and critique
on their Journals. It is to be regretted, perhaps, that
in some expressions they are open to ridicule; but it is
a subject of gratification that in none are they open to
reproach. These same gentlemen would gnash their teeth
to find Hindoostan, from near Delhi, yea from the Seiks’
country, to Cape Comorin, planted with Christians, who
daily pray for the coming of Christ’s kingdom in their
lands; and who, in their intercourse with those around
them, recommend the gospel of God our Saviour in a way not
such as will excite insurrection, but induce veneration
and ultimately conversion. A preaching life these
Edinburgh reviewers themselves cannot gainsay; and these
less enlightened heathen are less disposed than they to
withstand it. But little visible effect will appear in our
day; the next generation will find a people ‘prepared for
the Lord.’
“Our dwelling is on the banks of the Ganges. The common
mode of travelling is by water, in commodious boats,
dragged, when the wind is adverse, like barges. At this
distance from home, hospitality to strangers seems to me a
peculiar though painful duty, as it breaks in too much upon
my leisure. There is no such thing as an inn; and very many
of the passers-by are young officers, whose situation is,
in general, far from being comfortable. To these I would
be especially kind, as being also less noticed by many who
judge of the attentions due to them by the wealth and rank
they possess. Those youths who are now here join readily
in our family worship, and delight me when I hear them
repeating the Lord’s prayer after me with seriousness. Dear
lads, my heart yearns over them, exposed as they are to
every kind of temptation, without a rudder or a pilot. May
God take them into His direction!”
Soon after the date of the foregoing letter, Mr. Corrie was again
suffering from illness. An attack of fever rendered it necessary for
him to place himself under medical care; but throughout the months of
February and March, his disorder seems to have yielded so little to
the remedies applied, that he was almost laid aside from duty. Thus
in his Journal under date of March 19th. he remarks:--
“March 19th (Sunday.) To-day--not in a condition for
public worship: so there was none in the morning. A
merchant and others came to breakfast; and I had family
worship with them. I have been considering my ways, but am,
alas I sadly clouded, so that I can remember but little.
My impatience respecting the backsliding professors has
appeared, as it is, sadly inconsistent: I ought to have
pitied and prayed for them more, and felt less anger. I
bless God for more composure of mind, and drawing out of
soul towards God. I see, however, I have little of zeal
for His glory and house. I would have a more single eye in
this matter. I would desire my own salvation as a means
of displaying the glory of His grace. I would desire the
salvation of sinners, that He may be glorified. I would
engage in proper means for these ends, with a single
intent that I may bring glory to God, and that God may
be glorified in me. Let my own personal trials be all
sanctified to this end! Give grace, O God of grace, to this
end; and the glory shall redound to Thee, through Jesus
Christ, the Saviour!”
And again, a fortnight later, he writes:--
“Easter eve. To-morrow the Lord’s Supper is to be
administered. Alas, my soul, how many sacred opportunities
of this kind have been little better than profaned. Long
did I attend the Lord’s Table in my own self-confident
spirit, and the same day saw me break the vows I had
solemnly made. When this self-confidence was in some
measure discovered, the ordinance became more profitable
indeed, but the contrary spirit grew upon me; and for
some time, I fear, the consecrated elements have been too
little considered. Lord! never let me fancy the means any
other than the channels of thy grace; but O, enable me to
discern the Lord’s body at his Table, and ‘with meek heart
and due reverence,’ feed upon Him by faith! My illness, I
fear, does not leave me; at least, weakness grows upon me.
I seem anxious to live.... I would live to glorify God,
too, though he needs not my wretched poor services. I would
have my will swallowed up in His. O [Lord] grant me grace
to this end, then come life or death, all will be well.
“Easter-day morning, 2nd April. Both in public worship,
and afterwards, I trust the Lord was present to heal us:
the people were very attentive. I remembered my native
land, with sweet recollection, the tabernacle of God, and
the communion of saints. For my companions’ and brethren’s
sakes will I seek thy good, O Britain, the Zion of the
earth! O may these impressions of love and grace remain
upon my soul! Enough I see, even in this day’s services,
though unusually joyous, to render precious Him who bears
the iniquities of his people’s holy things.”
In the beginning of the following month, however, a letter to the
Rev. David Brown contains the intelligence that it had pleased God to
recover Mr. Corrie from his illness:--
“Chunar, May 11, 1809.
“I ought to have made known to you before this, the safe
arrival of the Bibles and New Testaments. We have no troops
here at present to dispose of them to. The Europeans
hereabout will take a few to distribute at prime cost. A
fortnight since beloved Martyn passed this by _dawk_.[51]
He staid only three days, and you will have heard by this
time of his safe arrival at Cawnpore on the 29th. ult.
Sabat has left us this morning. The heat of his temper
broke out against a washerman who had changed a sheet,
but there seems no doubt of the grace of God being in
him. He lived with us since the 7th. At Benares, he had
intended to pass some days, but about forty persons who
had formerly known him, came tumultuously to the boat,
and after much confused dispute, he thought it prudent to
come on here. We have for some time been engaged about a
Church at Benares; a subscription of about 3000 Rupees has
been made, and a spot of ground is fixed on. I trust now
all opposition is silenced, though not entirely done away.
The hearts of some haters of all good have been brought
to give money even. One family is highly respectable and
regular in religious duties. One young officer has become
a new creature. Of the rest, few alas! seem willing to
go any further. Martyn wishes for my removal. I did not
desire it before he came, now I should have no objection to
it. Less labour than is now put forth on, perhaps in all,
eighty people, (for the remainder give me no opportunity
of labouring for them,) would serve for eight hundred,
and if winning souls be our highest wisdom, the more we
win, the wiser we shall be accounted. Yet the fear that
my Benares congregation would be left without a shepherd,
makes me glad to continue. At Chunar, all seem dead and
lifeless. Some of the poor women are indeed, growing in
grace, and that should not be accounted little. One of them
two days since, on asking her in what way she must attain
to God’s presence with peace, replied, ‘If I remember the
name of Jesus Christ: and repenting of my sins, put my
trust in him, I shall doubtless attain God’s presence.’
Several are equally well informed, and Martyn expressed
great satisfaction at their attentive repetition of the
responses, in prayer &c. Sabat holds my poor old man in
utter disdain for his comparative ignorance. Sabat is
indeed a very superior man; none of the Moonshees can
stand before him. He is most amusing with his logic on
all occasions. Some of the gay friends of a pious young
officer, asked him if it were not written in Scripture,
that men shall become bears? He, in the simplicity of his
heart, asked Martyn and myself at Dinapore, before Sabat,
if there were such a passage of Scripture? Sabat replied,
‘O if there is such an expression in the word of God, it
must be true; and we will prove it by logic.’
“I think I expressed a wish for the tables you mentioned,
of Arabic &c. with a copy of the Persian of Matthew when
ready. Mr. Myers[52] would send them and they would be
highly useful. I am happy to say the complaint I was ill
of has quite left me, and I trust it is good for me that
I was in trouble. It is good in any way to have the heart
separated from this ensnaring world; to be led to have all
its fresh springs in God. Would it were more thus with me!
I groan being burdened with an earthly, sensual, devilish
nature. I wish I could hear oftener of you and your’s. I am
in hopes those communications that respect our project may
pass through my hands to Martyn; it would cause only one
day’s delay. The subject of the conversion of the natives
is much more discussed among us. I know two converts to the
subject from reading Buchanan’s Memoir which I lent them.
“My Christian School goes on well.
“Beside the Christian children, I have six Christian men,
and some families.”
The anniversary of Mr. Corrie’s ordination is thus noticed by him:--
“Saturday, June 10th. This day in 1802, I was ordained a
Deacon at Buckden, and on the 12th of June 1804, a Priest,
at the same place. To-morrow may suit my purposed season of
examination; and I pray God to enable me to this needful
work. First, to look over my present spiritual state.
Secondly, To examine my views in the ministry. Thirdly, To
pray for my Native School. O Lord! vouchsafe a spirit of
grace and supplication for Christ’s sake!
“Sunday, June 11th. Have been considering my ways; and
respecting my personal experience, it is but too apparent
that I have for some time laboured under a spiritual
decay. The commencement of it seems to have been soon
after this time last year, when my spirit began to faint
in outward duties; and I hurried away from them to
Calcutta. The Lord does not leave me; and I trust will
not leave me; yet, O my soul, fear being given up to work
iniquity. Much reserve, I am aware, in my outward conduct
is worn off: respecting this, I would hope the needless
scrupulosity I indulged is going; yet connected with my
private experience, I would be jealous over myself with
a godly jealousy. Frivolousness and levity in tongue and
action, I would watch against. Lord, instruct me, and teach
me in thy way! In the ministry, I have failed greatly in
respect of searching out the lost sheep of Christ’s flock;
nor have I a proper sense of the hurt and hinderance
arising from this negligence. Lord, grant me a due sense
of the Saviour’s dying love, and of the soul’s worth! I
think I do attempt the edification of those who come in my
way; and have less fear of shame and reproach for Christ
than once I had. I find a growing facility in speaking
Hindoostanee; and I trust of late more earnest intention
of seeking opportunities of propagating the Gospel. My
views in coming to India I would hope are not altered; to
live and die here; and to spend my strength and substance
in this land is, I think, my purpose. The little children
are becoming very interesting to me. O, that they may
become partakers of the grace of God in truth! My native
servants I would try to make wise unto salvation, and often
am earnestly engaged in instructing them. Lord, grant
me sincerity and simplicity in dealing with these; and
enable me to repent of my sins, to ‘do my first works;’
and ‘leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, go
on unto perfection.’ I feel how entirely it is Thy work
to accomplish this in me, then grant me thy Holy Spirit
graciously for Christ’s sake. Amen!”
With what sincerity of spirit, this recital of his inward resolves
and feelings was penned, may be gathered from the renewed activity
with which Mr. Corrie’s restored health was devoted to the employment
of every means within his reach, that was calculated to extend the
knowledge of Christ. To Mr. Brown he writes early in June 1809:--
“I have at length begun the Arabic and Hebrew; and with the
help of the Arabic, Hebrew and Hindoostanee, hope to get a
correct Hindoostanee version of the Psalms for the black
flock. The 51st Psalm they are learning by heart.”
Similar notices of his application to the study of the Oriental
languages occur, also, in Mr. Corrie’s letters, about this time,
to Mr. Martyn. Yet the external circumstances with which himself
and fellow-labourers in the work of the Lord, were all this while
conversant, were far from encouraging. In the letter to Mr. Brown
quoted above, Mr. Corrie complained:--
“My harp has long been ‘hung upon the willows.’ Every thing
around us bears the image of spiritual death. What little
profession there was among us, has issued in nothing that
appears decisive.”
And a few weeks later, after recording in his journal that he “had
often experienced the Divine Presence and grace,” whilst lecturing in
public “on the Epistle to the Galatians,” Mr. C. adds:--
“I am, nevertheless, cast down greatly with the little
appearance of good working among us: the soldiers seem
hardened to all addresses I make: the old native Christian
has not been lively of late. When not living near to God,
I seem afraid of the doctrine of grace, as it is called;
when my soul is deeply affected with divine truth, I can
trust God with the consequences of His own declarations.”
Whilst having thus to lament the spiritual apathy around him, Mr.
Corrie did not on that account slacken his exertions toward hastening
on the day, when “the stream of Ganges shall roll through tracts
adorned with Christian churches, and the holy hymn be heard beneath
the shade of the tamarind.” Accordingly he writes to the Rev. Charles
Simeon:--
“Aug. 2, 1809.
“A door of usefulness has been opened ‘among those of mine
own nation’ at Benares, where I have been enabled to attend
every third Sunday, and now materials are collecting to
build a place of worship with, by subscription. Some of the
principal people there oppose the measure by their private
influence, though they have given money for the work.
The report of the death of one of the chaplains above,
renders me anxious, lest I should be removed before this
scheme is accomplished; but I know the accomplishment of
it rests not with me. I now confine my public engagements
to the mornings, except one service in Hindoostanee on
Sunday evenings. I have mentioned a native Christian who
reads and expounds the lessons on these occasions, so
that my labour is but small when he is present. Just now,
he is at Benares, with a view, if possible, to establish
Christian worship among a number of Portuguese and native
Christians, who reside in various capacities there. He
goes from house to house among them, but has hitherto had
little success. Only three attend worship. I may remind
you, [that] he conducts public worship according to our
Church form, translated. The Gospels we have, and I have
translated the principal particulars of the Old Testament
history. I may mention that the wisdom of God is manifest
here, in recording the faults of the Old Testament saints.
A maxim among all classes of Natives, seems to be, that
every person, by obeying his own religious guide, will
attain eternal blessedness, and several of the Mahomedans
have been offended, at my asserting that Moses, Abraham,
David &c., were sinners: the proving these saints to have
been sinners by nature, as ourselves, overturns this
conceit and makes them to seek out a Saviour, who is
himself in no need of salvation. To this point, when I have
opportunity, I always bring a Mahomedan, carefully avoiding
disrespectful mention of his Prophet. The Hindoostanee
women attend, though not in such numbers as at first, yet
regularly, and I have no doubt some of these most despised
of the human race, will be found at the right hand of the
Judge, in the great day. A few evenings since, a poor
blind creature caused my heart to joy exceedingly, by her
artless commendation of the Redeemer; any praise of myself
might have arisen from servility, but, the epithets she
applied to our Lord, could have been learned only from the
Scriptures. For some time much of my attention has been
directed to the education of some native christian boys.
Watts’ first Catechism they can repeat, and a prayer for
morning and evening in private; two of them have begun
Persian and make quick progress: there are in all five,
from seven to twelve years old, and some younger children
will soon be admitted. I am attempting to introduce
our own mode of teaching, and when at home, hear them
twice a day.... No pains have been spared by the Italian
Missionaries, at Bettiah to frighten, or allure my old
teacher from me, and one man, who had learned the way of
God more perfectly here, and on going back refused to
pray to saints, &c., was excommunicated and grievously
persecuted until his death, which took place soon after.
The uproar about Missions has been heard of here, but
no one feels any of the alarm expressed at home. I hear
occasionally, from some friends at Malda, of Mr. M. who
has very poor health; some poor helpless creatures have
lately received baptism there. You will not suspect me of
depreciating his labours, by this expression; those among
whom I myself minister, are as despicable as human beings
can well be. Their influence on the general cause can be
none, their individual souls are precious.”
Mr. Corrie had now been three years in India, and it will have
been seen that those years had not been spent in self-indulgent
inactivity, or had been unfruitful in great moral results. Yet he
writes:--
“Sept. 20th. 1809. This day completes my third year in
India; and though I could write a journal of events that
would set me off in the eyes of men, I know myself to be
an unprofitable servant. I have reason to cry, ‘Deliver me
from blood-guiltiness, O God;’ from the blood of souls! The
perverseness of the natives draws out my perverse temper. I
perceive my mind of late too much taken up with the dignity
religion inspires the mind with, raising it above the petty
cares and mean jealousies of an earthly mind: yet, O let
me never be high-minded but fear. I desire to renew my
dedication of myself, my all to God; to purpose greater
exertion and more labours among whites and blacks. Lord, I
pray thee, grant an increase of spiritual influence, that
I may go on from grace to grace! O, let me not faint nor
tire, for Jesus’ sake, Amen!”
The following letters to his Christian friends, bear witness that Mr.
Corrie was enabled, in some measure, to carry out the desires and
purposes which his Journal records.
REV. D. BROWN.
“Chunar, Oct. 12. 1809.
“I have had our meeting service this morning. Cold myself
and lifeless and stupid. I wonder the people attend at all,
they are so little excited to run the Christian race.
“The Christian Native School goes on as well as it can.
The children, sometimes nine in number, are reading
the Scriptures in Hindoostanee. I have nearly finished
a corrected edition (about the 4th) of the history of
creation, Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Joseph, Moses,
the children of Israel, Joshua, Samuel, David, Solomon,
the division of the Tribes, Elijah, Elisha, the Acts of
the Apostles, the first Epistle of John. Four of the
children have Watts’ first Catechism perfect, with prayers
for morning and evening. Two of these have begun Persian
Grammar, on a new plan of my own, after the English mode
of question and answer. We have ten Christians about us
with whom I read and pray, most mornings, in Hindoostanee.
One youth appears truly pious and reads and explains the
Scriptures, admirably to others, most evenings after dark.
A few of the Hindoostanee Women appeared [to be] guided by
the fear of God,--perhaps four or six. The others complain
of hearing nothing but severe language, and told the Native
teacher lately [that] ‘as he was paid for instructing them,
he ought not to deal so severely with them! He told them,
he was not paid to flatter them.’
“I have lately been looking into the Arabic and Hebrew, but
I entirely despair of making any proficiency in them. The
Hebrew I shall go on with. Even by the help of the Lexicon,
I gain great pleasure in observing the roots and their
connection with the languages around us. If ever you pray
for me particularly, pray that I may _endure_ to the _end_:
that _patience_ may _hold out_: that I may be faithful
_unto death_. May richest grace be multiplied to you and
your’s.”
TO THE REV. J. BUCKWORTH.
“Nov, 1. 1809.
“I often turn a look of regard towards highly favoured
Britain, and a tear starts whilst I bid it a long adieu;
but to a weary pilgrim any lodging is welcome, any place
of abode agreeable; so in Hindoostan, my weary head shall
rest, and my longing soul mount up from hence to meet her
redeeming God. There, my brother, we shall meet; till
then, let our willing feet, our heads, and our tongues be
employed in spreading the Saviour’s glorious name.
The Saviour! O what endless charms
Dwell in the blissful sound!
Your sermon referred to would have suited my people here.
In much weakness and fear, indeed, I have been among them.
The Evening Lectures I told you of exhausted me entirely;
and conspired with other circumstances to bring on a liver
complaint, from which, I sometimes think, I am not quite
free: but I am able to endure my labour.
“You expect to hear of my black flock. My native teacher
is, at this time, laid up with Asthma: his notions
of divine truth grow more clear daily. Some of the
Hindoostanee wives of the soldiers have, also gained good
information on christian subjects; and from forty to sixty
regularly attend public worship on Sundays, and once in the
week. I have nine Christian men and women, and six children
about me; with these I read and pray in Hindoostanee every
morning I am at home. One lad of them appears truly pious;
he has been with me most of the time I have been here; he
reads and prays in the evenings with the others generally.
“One night lately I heard him expounding part of the
sixteenth chapter of St. John with much feeling and
propriety. I have the charge of him entirely; I begin
to love him, and think his disposition gentle and
well-inclined: he always attends at meals for his portion.
The other servants, at times, I hear tell him he is become
an Englishman; and seem to envy him not a little.... I
could fill sheets with the conversations I frequently
have with the natives. Several promising appearances in
individuals, have come to nothing. I am, therefore, glad
that I have not written any thing about them.
“There has been a serious disturbance here (and it is not
now quite over) between the Mahomedans and Hindoos. The
former destroyed a pillar, long an object of superstition
amongst the Hindoos: on which account the latter carried
swine and slaughtered them in the Mosques. One hundred and
forty have lost their lives; but not all from religious
difference, many taking occasion of the affray to gratify
private revenge.[53]
“I can say nothing of my prospects: all you can picture of
the difficulties attending this work is far short of the
reality. I can only say, to live and die in this work, or
to labour until I can do no more, is my not hasty purpose,
formed, I trust, on no self-sufficient grounds, but on the
grace, mercy, and comfort of an unchanging God and Saviour.
“I am writing a little daily in Hindoostanee, Persian,
Arabic, or Hebrew. My school employs me two portions of
the day. I am cheered sometimes with the hope, that I am
educating Missionaries; but it seems hardly possible they
should escape the pollutions around them.”
[46] That dated Aug. 2, 1807.
[47] The controversy alluded to grew out of the
publication of Dr. Buchanan’s Memoirs on the
Expediency of an Ecclesiastical Establishment for
India.
[48] See Ward, View of History, &c. of the Hindoos. Vol.
II., book 7, ch. 4.
[49] Sabat. For some account of this person, see
Buchanan’s “Star in the East.” pp. 23. &c. He
afterwards apostatized, left the British territory
in India, and went into the service of some of the
native princes; but in some quarrel that occurred he
was suspected of treachery to his patron, was put up
into a sack and cast into the sea.--Hough’s “History
of Christianity in India.” vol. 4. p. 389.
[50] An article in the Edinburgh Review for 1808,
entitled “Indian Missions,” written by the late Rev.
Sidney Smith. At the head of this article are given
the titles of the principal controversial pamphlets,
which appeared at that time on the subject of
Missions to India.
[51] Post. Mr. Martyn was then on his way to his new
station at Cawnpore.
[52] Mr. Corrie’s future father in-law.
[53] A more particular account of this affair is given
below, in a Letter to Mr. Simeon.