MISSIONARY HERALD,
CONTAINING INTELLIGENCE AT LARGE OF THE
_Proceedings and Operations_
OF THE
BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
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CXCIII. JANUARY, 1835.
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Subscriptions and Donations in aid of this Society will be thankfully
received at the Baptist Mission House, No. 6, Fen Court, Fenchurch
Street, London: or by any of the Ministers and Friends whose names are
inserted in the Cover of the Annual Report.
#Death of Dr. Carey.#
Since the publication of the last number, the Secretary has received
a communication from Mr. Jonathan Carey, announcing the fact of his
venerable father's decease, in the following terms:--
_Calcutta, June 14th, 1834._
The Lord has been pleased to afflict us very severely, in
removing from us, by death, my much esteemed and venerable
father. This lamented event took place on the 9th instant, at
five in the morning, and his remains were interred in the cold
grave early on the following morning, in the presence of a
crowded assembly of mourning friends. Much as I feel this heavy
stroke, I trust I do not sorrow as those who have no hope. His
was a life spent in the service of his Redeemer, and the Lord
was pleased to make him an instrument of much usefulness; but
notwithstanding all that he was enabled to do, he never ceased
to exclaim that he was an unprofitable servant. In much
humility and meekness of spirit he was zealous in the work of
the Lord of Hosts, and the constant objects of his pursuits
were the glory of God and the salvation of the heathen. His
devotedness to the work to which he was called was evident in
all his conduct. Nothing would give him more pleasure than to
hear of the prosperity of Zion, and the downfall of idolatry.
His heart was always much affected when speaking of the love of
his dying Redeemer. Of the evil of idolatry he spoke with great
warmth. He was active and faithful in the discharge of his
duties as a minister and a translator; and was in his element
in the study of botany and other scientific pursuits, but
always humble in his views regarding his own abilities and
acquirements. Although constantly employed for the last
forty-one years, he possessed a vigorous constitution,
excellent health, and a good flow of spirits; but the last two
or three years he suffered from debility, and latterly wasted
away, and at length sunk from exhaustion of strength, and his
spirit took its flight to the regions of eternal bliss to
enjoy the rest provided for the people of God, and the reward
promised to those who endure to the end. Thus has my father
finished his course, and has been removed from this scene of
toil and labour. Many will have reason to bless God for what he
was enabled, by his grace, to perform for the welfare of the
poor heathen.
The following has appeared in several of the public papers as a
transcript of the Doctor's will. Although no copy of this document has
reached us direct from India, yet, as it carries internal evidence of
its authenticity, and has been very widely circulated already, we do not
hesitate to insert it in our pages. Our readers will especially mark, in
the direction given as to his epitaph, that deep humility which was so
prominent a feature in the character of this great and good man.
I, William Carey, Doctor of Divinity, residing at Serampore,
in the province of Bengal, being in good health, and of sound
mind, do make this my last will and testament in manner and
form following:--
First--I utterly disclaim all or any right or title to the
premises at Serampore, called the Mission Premises, and every
part and parcel thereof, and do hereby declare that I never
had, or supposed myself to have, any such right or title.
Secondly--I disclaim all right and title to the property
belonging to my present wife, Grace Carey, amounting to
25,000 rupees, more or less, which was settled upon her by a
particular deed, executed previously to my marriage with her.
Thirdly--I give and bequeath to the College of Serampore, the
whole of my museum, consisting of minerals, shells, corals,
insects, and other natural curiosities, and a Hortus Siccus.
Also the folio edition of Hortus Woburnensis, which was
presented to me by Lord Hastings; Taylor's Hebrew Concordance,
my collection of Bibles in foreign languages, and all my books
in the Italian and German languages.
Fourthly--I desire that my wife, Grace Carey, will collect from
my library whatever books in the English language she wishes
for, and keep them for her own use.
Fifthly--From the failure of funds to carry my former
intentions into effect, I direct that my library, with the
exceptions above made, be sold by public auction, unless it, or
any part of it, can be advantageously disposed of by private
sale, and that from the proceeds 1,500 rupees be paid as a
legacy to my son Jabez Carey, a like sum having heretofore been
paid to my sons Felix and William.
Sixthly--It was my intention to have bequeathed a similar sum
to my son Jonathan Carey, but GOD has so prospered him that he
is in no immediate want of it. I direct that, if any thing
remains, it be given to my wife, Grace Carey, to whom I also
bequeath all my household furniture, wearing apparel, and
whatever other effects I may possess, for her proper use and
behoof.
Seventhly--I direct that, before every other thing, all my
lawful debts may be paid; that my funeral be as plain as
possible; that I may be buried by the side of my second wife,
Charlotte Emilia Carey; and that the following inscription, and
nothing more, may be cut on the stone which commemorates her,
either above or below, as there may be room; viz.
"William Carey, born August 17th, 1761, died----
"A wretched, poor, and helpless worm,
On thy kind arms I fall."
Eighthly--I hereby constitute and appoint my dear friends, the
Rev. William Robinson, of Calcutta, and the Rev. John Mack, of
Serampore, executors to this my last will and testament, and
request them to perform all therein desired and ordered by me,
to the utmost of their power.
Ninthly--I hereby declare this to be my last will and
testament, and revoke all other wills and testaments of a date
prior to this.
(Signed) WILLIAM CAREY.
(Signed) W. H. JONES, S. M'INTOSH.
The following minute, in reference to this removal of Dr. Carey, has
been entered on the records of the Baptist Missionary Society.
"The Secretary having reported that intelligence had arrived of the
death of Dr. Carey, at Serampore, on Monday, the 9th of June last, it
was
"_Resolved_,
"That this Committee cordially sympathize, on this mournful
occasion, with the immediate connexions of Dr. Carey, by whose
death, not merely the Missionary circle with which he was most
intimately associated, but the Christian world at large, has
sustained no common loss. The Committee gratefully record,
that this venerable and highly-esteemed servant of God had a
principal share in the formation of the Baptist Missionary
Society; and devoted himself, at its very commencement, to the
service of the heathen, amidst complicated difficulties and
discouragements, with an ardour and perseverance which nothing
but Christian benevolence could inspire, and which only a
strong and lively faith in God could sustain. Endowed with
extraordinary talents for the acquisition of foreign languages,
he delighted to consecrate them to the noble purpose of
unfolding to the nations of the East the Holy Scriptures in
their own tongue: a department of sacred labour in which it
pleased God to honour him far beyond any predecessor or
contemporary in the Missionary field. Nor was Dr. Carey
less eminent for the holiness of his personal character.
Throughout life he adorned the gospel of God his Saviour by the
spirituality of his mind and the uprightness of his conduct;
and especially, by the deep and unaffected humility which
proved how largely he had imbibed the spirit of his blessed
master.
"In paying this brief and imperfect tribute to the memory of
this great and good man, who was long their associate in
Missionary exertion, and whom they have never ceased to regard
with feelings of the utmost veneration and respect, it is the
anxious desire of the Committee to glorify God in him. May
a review of what divine grace accomplished in and by this
faithful servant of the Redeemer, awaken lively gratitude, and
strengthen the devout expectation that He, with whom is the
residue of the Spirit, will favour his church with renewed
proofs of his love and care by thrusting forth many such
labourers into the harvest!"
It is expected that Mr. Eustace Carey will compile, from the materials
in possession of the Missionary Committee, and from the correspondence
maintained by the Doctor with his relations in this country during the
whole course of his residence in India, a Memoir of his venerable
relative.