January 1808 – 1812
January 5, 1808. Scarcely do I remember a day in which my corruptions ever rose to a greater height; showed some evil temper. As soon as I walked out, I happened to ob serve from the top of the fort some Brahmins below in the Ganges, pretending to be absorbed in meditation. I felt provoked at the sight; but instantly the thought occurred, if these men, in the worship of their Devil, are so exact and careful, why do not those, who are taught to know the true God, meditate on him? This morning I found no corner for prayer, through the servants having made the breakfast-room my bed-room, and so I had begun the day without prayer, yet here were some Brahmins not ashamed to pray before one another, and undisturbed by the multitude of other brethren. I retired in great grief and shame, and had not a stone to cast at a living creature, but was permitted, notwithstanding my deep sense of guilt, to speak with some earnestness to God while walking.
JAN. 17. (Sunday.) In morning prayer found great fervency, and desire to be as a flame of fire for the service of God. My soul panted after the full improvement of every moment of every day. Preached on Gen. xii. 1-3, the calling of Abraham. In the afternoon, the women few, and my spirit depressed at seeing them; at the end of the remaining service, I found a pain in the breast for the first time, the consequence of over-speaking; felt quite spent in the evening, but went to bed with strong desires to be up again at my work.
JANUARY 18, 1808.
DEAR BROTHER,
Your conversation at the was curious, and, I doubt
not, useful to them. The Lord endue his servants with a wisdom, which all their adversaries shall never be able, (fee. If I happen to go to any place, there is a dumb silence on such subjects; they seem to be afraid to open their mouths before me; perhaps it is because I go so seldom among them, that they are so shy. I now never dine out, except at the General’s, once in three months. Their dinner hours are at night, and that is the time when Sabat reads his chapter in English, and we pray, and I read my Persian with him; all of which is so important to him and me, that I feel justified in what I confess my inclination inculcates — seclusion. At one family where I called this week, their unkindness amounted to incivility. On coming away, my pride told me never to enter those doors again; but charity bcarcth long, and is kind, so I shall go again. You do not mention whether the pious Faqueer has been baptized yet — whether Hindoo or Mussulman. I rejoice to bless the Lord that your heart, brother beloved, is so much toward the heathen. I am in amazement
myself that does not stir himself to this glorious work.
When I consider how much greater facilities he possesses than yourself, from long habits of study, I see that the Lord has chosen you to this honorable post. Let us pray that the Holy Spirit would endue us with great powers in the acquisition of the languages; if not by supernatural gifts, vet by keeping us attentive while we read, and give us strong and retentive memories: may he make our spirits fervent in this business! When it pleases God to open my eyes to the state of the heathen, and to the degree of good one might do, I start at my past slothfulness, and feel excited to resolve that not a moment shall be lost again.
II. MABTYN.
To the Rev. D. CORRIE
JANUARY 25, 1808.
DEAR BROTHER,
One of the Hindoostanee New Testaments will soon be ready; but I want to have a press here, for the delay of having everything done at Serampore is insufferable. There are few things I regret more than not having learnt how to print. Before travelling westward, it would be worth while to go to Calcutta to learn this noble art, in order to teach it wherever we go. Yesterday we had the last of our church. The General says, I must only read the prayers for the future, as the men cannot be kept in the sun for more than half an hour. I feel at a loss to know what to do; a short sermon I must give them. I have been employed in writing Europe letters to and. To the latter, using every argument to draw him to India; advising him to keep his fellow ship, for if he gets married, it will be impossible to get him
out of England. I have not heard from since, 1 know
not when, but I am greatly concerned that he does not give his mind to the languages. What an awful thought may it be to all three of us in the neighborhood of such cities as Patna, Benares, and Moorshedabad, that thousands are perishing with a light close at hand! But while we are seriously preparing, and conscientiously redeeming the time for that purpose, we may hope to be free from blood-guiltiness. Last Sunday I felt greatly fatigued with speaking, and for the first time perceived symptoms of injury, by pain in the breast. Yesterday it returned just as I began the service, and I thought it impossible I should go through all the service of the day, but the Lord helped me. Saturday evening I was reading the ordination services, and think they are some of the most affecting things I ever read. What men of God were our forefathers! Oh may 1 learn in the same school! The Lord bless you, brother beloved, through Jesus Christ.
H. MARTYN.
To the Rev. D. CORRIE.
4Q] JOURNAL AND LETTERS [1808.
FEB. 8-12. Received letters from Mrs. Y. and J., but not feeling such delight in any work I could do on earth as heretofore; our days hasten to an end, and vanity is stamped on us and our works; the work of sanctincation is the chief thing. Oh that my soul panted after higher attainments in that! Continued weariness about the multitudes in Patna. Vould that a door were opened! Oh, if one is opened, that I may see it! I feel ashamed to live in such ease as I do; and were it not that duty keeps me to my present work of translation, I should gladly become a poor man, to mix with the lowest of the people.
FEB. IS. My birthday, which I did not recollect till it was past; this day I completed my twenty-seventh year, the body strong and healthy, but the mind childish. What a burning and shining light might I have been at this age, had 1 been duly careful to improve all the great advantages I have met with in this life! Yet, praised be God! my desires and hopes are strong with regard to my future usefulness; I think I have not a wish to number any more mortal years, except as they are employed in the service of Christ.
MARCH 2. Being the first day of Lent, I endeavored to pass a considerable part of it in prayer with fasting, and found, I trust, the presence of God, yet without any particular fervor. Only the heart seemed to be somewhat softened, and I felt willing to obey. The men came at night. At the hospital I found another man fearing God, who, I trust, will join us boldly when he comes out from thence.
MARCH 4. My heart at various times filled with a sense of divine love, frequently in prayer was blessed in the bringing of my soul near to God. After dinner in my walk found sweet devotion; and the ruling thoughts were, that true happiness does not consist in the gratifying of self in ease, or individual pleasure, but in conformity to God, in obeying and pleasing him, in having no will of my own, in not being pleased with personal advantages, though I might be with out guilt, nor in being displeased that the flesh is mortified. Oh, how short-lived will this triumph be! It is stretching out the arm at full length, which soon grows tired of its own weight.
MARCH 15. Called oh Colonel G. of the 67th, to request the assistance of the band, to which he assented, but with rather an ill grace. My soul sweetly rejoiced all day, at the little effect the slight of men could have on my mind — “Truly a stranger intermeddleth not with his joy.” The more I felt the natural man hurt at want of outward honor, the more sweetly the new man enjoyed the delights of God and the other world.
MARCH 20. Upon the whole my soul seems to be improving; I travel up hill; but I must learn, as I trust I am learning, to do the will of God without any expectation of any present pleasure attending it, but because it is the will of God. Oh that my days of vanity were at an end, and that all my thoughts and conversation might have that deep tinge of seriousness, which becomes a soldier of the cross!
APRIL 10. (Sunday.) Preached on Matt. xvi. 26. An awful subject, but apparently it little affected the people; I felt confounded, as I generally do more or less, at the life less manner in which I preach. When shall my soul feel? Oh when shall my heart burn as it ought, with desire to save souls? The congregations of the Hindoostanee women, and at the hospital, were large.
DINAPORE, Bahar, April 26, 1803.
DEAR E,
What is become of you I cannot tell; and lest you also should forget your old friend, I begin with specifying accurately the spot where I am to be found.
I hope, however, that those I chiefly value continue to remember me in their prayers, as I do them without ceasing. Without this method of binding our hearts together, we should soon be as those who had never met. I freely acknowledge my own weakness. The new scenes I have witnessed these last three years have made so strong an impression, as almost to efface the remembrance of England. Even so late a period of my short life as the years spent at Cambridge, seemed to have passed in a prior state of existence; and when I think of our fellows of St. .John’s, they Hit be fore my fancy, like the varied personages of the camera obscura. Yet there is nothing that would gratify me more than to hear of them. I have no correspondent at Cambridge but Mr. Simeon, who, you know, hns not much to do at St. John’s.
I have just been reading over all the letters I ever received from you, and cannot help expressing, how forcibly I am now struck with the sense of my own conceit and ignorance in times past, and of your unequalled charity and forbearance. Oh, my dear friend, if instead of blaming your faith, I had been trying to follow your practice, how much better would it have been for me. Continue your friendship to me, a right to which I have so often forfeited, and accept one more assurance of my unalterable attachment. I fear I shall never again see your face in the flesh; every day’s experience convinces me, that with the power I shall soon possess of making known the gospel in two such large countries as India and Persia, I should never be able to live with a quiet conscience in England.
MAY 9 — 11. Time so excessively engaged now, that I have scarcely time to write my journal. Many at the hospital require my attendance every day. Sometimes my soul tastes sweet joy in God; but at all times T am blessed with great cheerfulness in my work; only in private prayer, the overwhelming power of the heat on the body is a temptation to give way to weariness.
MAY 12. Calling on different people. What shall I think on my death-bed of all these opportunities of warning sinners! Oh, may the Lord seal upon my soul such a compassionate sense of their danger, that I may never have a heart to talk triflingly with them! Was grieved to find some discussions springing up among my men.
JUNE 4. In the afternoon, while we were reading the 24th of Matthew, there was an earthquake. Feeling the ground shake under me, and at the same instant some of the plaster falling from the walls, I started up. The earth continued shaking, and the doors shook to and fro. Oh, what are we before God! A little more violence, and I should have been buried under the ruins. Yea, I, and all my poor people here, swallowed up! Would to God that their hearts might be shaken by the Spirit of God, through this awful phenomenon!
JUNE 11. Rose in great pain, which had kept me awake most of the night. I felt also that I was a poor wretched creature, very low, and sunk in sin and misery. Yet found relief in prayer by considering, that Christ came to seek and save even the lost. In the evening Mirza came to say, that he could stay no longer in my service. So now I am reduced to a disagreeable predicament, and what to do I know not. “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee.”
JUNE 12. (Sunday.) Preached on Ephesians ii. 18. In the afternoon to the women on the Parable of the Unjust Steward. Felt so ill from a cold affecting my head, that I hardly knew what to do with myself; but as it ceased a few minutes before the men came at night, I was unexpectedly able to go amongst them, and preached with clearness and freedom, from Rom. iii. 20.
JUNE 15. In the afternoon, read an account of Turkey.
The bad effects of the book were so great, that I found instant need of prayer, and I do not know when I have had such divine and animating feelings. Oh, it is thy Spirit that makes me pant for the skies. It is he that shall make me trample the world and my lusts beneath my feet, and urge my onward course toward the crown of life. But at night my joy was succeeded by such unconquerable levity, that I
could not command myself at Mrs. S ’s, (where they had
but a small and sober party to meet me,) sufficiently to make the conversation serious, and so retired in great shame.
JUNE 22 25. The days when I watch over my heart, and
remember my Lord as the hours pass away, have been very sweet; and when it is otherwise, the merest trifle discom poses me. One day with Colonel G. I had rather a sharp conversation. I had come to excuse myself from an invitation to dine at the mess with the General. 1 also mentioned, that I disliked meeting any large party of officers, where I was sure to hear so much swearing. This made him angry, he said his mess consisted of gentlemen. — “Well,” said I, “I believe you are a gentleman; yet you swear.” He then began to say, there was no harm in it; I mentioned the third commandment; he said there was a great deal of nonsense like that. Such contempt of the Scriptures moved me not a little; but when I was about to go on, another person came in.
JULY 31. (Sunday.) The G7th did not attend church, be cause they had a field-day, to prepare for the approach of the Commander-in- Chief. Thus the Sabbaths of the supreme God are made to give way. Why do they not prepare for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ? At night preached to the men on “So run, that ye may obtain.” My poor weak body has been reminding me of its decay to-day. The services much fatigued me. But the exercise of my mind eats out my bodily strength most. I was obliged to go into the garden this evening, and strive to shake out all thoughts of the subject on which I was afterwards to preach. The consideration of my decay led me to many happy and consoling views in prayer, as I could rejoice in my unchanging friend.
AUGUST 22, 1808.
MY DEAR SIR,
Your next letter will, I hope, mention the day of your leaving Chunar. I have been looking at the list of the passengers per Preston, with almost as much anxiety as yourself. The arrival of your sister will deprive me of much of the time you would otherwise spend with me, but I ought to rejoice in all that would add to your comfort. This week the first proof-sheet of the Persian and Hindoostanee gospel arrived. This week the Ganges inundated us; all communication between my quarters and the barracks was cut off, so that the men could not come. When the water began to subside, the smell was so intolerable, that I was obliged to make a precipitate retreat to Major Stewart’s. During my absence, a child was to be buried. “Well,” said the Papists, “where is Mr. Marty n?” “If I were the god-father of that child,” said one, “I would have him sent to the right-about.” Thus, something or other is constantly happening to try one’s spirit. “In the multitude of my thoughts thy comforts delight my soul.”
H. MARTYN.
Rev. D. CORRIE.
AUG. 29 — SEPT. 10. Nothing worth noticing, but the arrival of my dear brother Corrie, from Chunar. On the Lord’s day, the 4th of September, he preached for me; in the after noon I discoursed to a few women on Luke xix. 10. At night he preached for me to the men, on 2 Cor. vi. 17. The rest of the week passed agreeably in conversation on the kingdom of God, and in prayer together. F. at all times present. On the night of the 10th, under a depressing sense of my own want of spirituality, I passed a considerable time in prayer, and was favored with near approaches to the bless ed God.
OCT. 1. Passed a most trying day from the excessive heat, without strength to support it. Dear F — most assiduous in his care of me, especially in reading to me; thus even in this life have I found sons and brothers, &c., according to the promise of the Lord. Yet I looked back at times with fond regret to England, and contrasted the fresh bracing air of my native land, at this season, with the stagnant debilitating atmosphere of this sickening climate. My expectation of much usefulness to the church was very low, as 1 .scarcely believed it possible that I should live through another rainy season.
OCT. 2. (Sunday.) As I found it vain to attempt to go through the service in the present weak and sore state of my lungs, I desired the order for divine service to be counter manded. The morning of the sabbath passed alone, yet with some sweet enjoyment. His temporal mercies in so far restoring my health, seemed a loud call to praise, and the privilege of being permitted to join the people of God, though but in spirit, in general intercession, was refreshing to my spirits. In the evening visited the hospital, to see a man who had sent for me, and found him, to appearance, evangelically humbled. At night preached to my men, on Eph. ii. 4, in a low tone, and did not find myself the worse for it.
OCT. 4. Went on to Bankipore, where I breakfasted, but not meeting with the reception which I expected, I altered my resolution of staying, and went back immediately. Happy that I have a friend in heaven, who can never be unkind.
OCT. 28. Prayed that I might this day be kept from my besetting sins of vanity and levity, but I did not strive against them as I ought; while reading the second chapter of the service at Mr. G ’s, my heart seemed to love Christ; but
oh, when shall I walk steadfastly with him!
NOVEMBER 1. Enjoyed much peace and solemnity all the day. Frequently in prayer; and the more I prayed, the more pleasant prayer became; but, oh, how wonderful that this should not be remembered by me, to stir me up to seek this communion with God! what is it that infatuates me at other times?
Nov. 2. While Ivinir in bed, had some dreadful sensations,
J O
as if I was given up by God to destruction, and was about to lose my senses. 1 never felt Satan so near; I began to pray aloud, as a dying wretch on the very brink of ruin, and pleaded with a God of truth his own declarations and promises; thus I found peace, and my agitated spirit returned to its rest.
Nov. 10. Much indisposition and irritability, and betrayed my evil temper against a servant. Alas! these are new evils. Ease and opulence bring with them danger to the soul; where is that poor and lowly spirit, which I ought to have, especially in dealing with the natives of this country, who above all ought to be treated with peculiar tenderness? My heart was stung with the sense of my sin. Oh may I by di vine grace attain to more of the image of Christ! Heard the boys at the school read the 1 st chapter of Genesis. At the hospital was much affected with love and pity towards a poor man, deeply humbled, and under concern for his soul. Never did I with such confidence speak to him of Christ; but he could not immediately lay hold on the hope; he thought something was to be done by himself.
Nov. 22. Almost free from my trials, or at least greatly strengthened from above, to cast away vile thoughts at once without parleying with them, and consequently enjoyed much of the divine presence, and elevating views of future glory. At night ministered to my men with great delight nnd profit to my own soul, from Philippians i. May the pattorn of the great Apostle be always before me! Let me have nought to do on earth but the work my Lord hath appointed me. Were it not for that, let me rather desire to die, and be with Christ, which is far better.
DEC. 14. Received a letter from Lydia, which renewed my pain; though it contained nothing but what I expected. Prayer was my only relief, and I did find peace by casting my care on God. At night ministered to the men with much freedom and life, because speaking from my inmost heart, on Col. iii. 2.
DEC. 1C, 17. AVriting letters. My mind somewhat sorrowful about Lydia, that I am not to see her more till after death. Had some sweet reflections on my little connection with the world:
I all on earth forsake,
Its wisdom, fame, and power,
And him my only portion make.
My shield and tower.
DECEMBER 31, 1808.
MY DEAR SIR,
On the review of the last year, I give praise to God who hath graciously preserved my life, notwithstanding the attacks which threatened its destruction, and hath prolonged it to another year. Every day he gives me, I account gain, as it enables me to advance a little way farther in the work which 1 have so much at heart. Oh if it be his will that I should live to finish it, how happy should I be! But he knows best. To him I leave all; present mercies demand my praise; my mercies multiply as my moments; Oh that my praises could as constantly ascend! My progress in di vine things has not been sensible, but I am more than ever convinced of the happiness of wisdom’s ways, The Rev. D.
MARCH 27, 1809.
My expected removal has given a new turn to my thoughts, and produced a little dejection. It has always happened hitherto, that whenever I have begun to feel an attachment to places, persons, or things, of a merely temporary nature, I have been carried away from them. Amen! May I live as a stranger and pilgrim upon the earth! May we be brought to that better country, where painful changes are known no more! Every blessing attend you!
II. MARTYN.
To the Rev. D. CORRIE.
SEPTEMBER 4, ISO!).
MY DEAR SIR,
Go on with the church, and, perhaps by the time it is built, some brother from Cambridge will join us. I am rather surprised, that now the ice is broken, others are not already come. Captain R. has sent me several letters from Calcutta, all very pleasing as far as a judgment can be formed by man; there is no reason to doubt of him. The conviction of my own ignorance on all points is gaining on me so fast, that I am become a skeptic on all subjects except the word of God. One good effect I trust may be produced, that of my being kept from rash censures. The three weeks I was on the water, and this last week, I have been speculating incessantly, without gaining one particle of knowledge. I cannot find out, by what magic language conveys ideas, and while I remain in this radical ignorance, I feel that I shall never be able to relish any human compositions. The same cause does not operate to make me disrelish the word of God, be cause what I have learned from that is satisfying, which nothing else in the world is; and also because I perceive superlative wisdom in the little I have yet been able to understand of the language of the Old Testament. Capt. and
Mrs. H arrived on Saturday, and dined with me on that day and yesterday. In a note he sent after lie went away, he says, “I have left you with warmer sentiments of religion, and with more confirmed resolutions for the future practice of it.”
H. MARTYN.
The Rev. D. CORIUE.
SEPTEMBER 23, 1800. Finding that writing in Latin or Greek,* (which I resorted to for secrecy,) leaves my journal an insignificant detail, for want of being able to express my self as I wish, I return to the English. I continue occasionally to look towards the Hebrew, but not with the eagerness I once did; want of success damps my ardor.
OCT. 16. One day this week, dining at, I had a stiff
dispute with, an elderly man. It began by my rebukinc- him for swearing. Instead of taking it as they usually do, he kindled, and used some harsh language and harsher looks. But I was not in the smallest degree disconcerted, but persisted that I had done my duty. He then went on to ridicule the Scriptures, declaring his contempt of Christianity, i. e. the story and theory of the business, as he expressed it. We were happily at opposite corners’ of the table, so that the discussion, which lasted a long while, was a sermon to all present; though he never allowed me to finish a sentence fairly, I got out enough to make me pleased that the thing had taken place. He was continually withdrawing, couching his wish for time under the mask of respect for my profession, but I would not allow him. “No,” I said, “I provoke discussion. Many here, perhaps, are as infidel as yourself. Let us hear what can be said against the prophet Jonah and the whale.” The conception of our Lord, and the Song of Solomon, were the chief objects of his at-
* From the 24th of January to the 24th September, 1809, Mr. Marlyif s Journal was written in Latin or Greek tack. I could not get to say one twentieth part of what I wished, but still it was better than nothing. The ice being broken, I went on to tell the company present how shameful it was to defile their mouths with the allusions which I had heard, but would not notice before.
OCT. 23. Dined at the Brigade Major’s, with the chief persons of the station. I could gain no attention while sayinggrace; and the moment the ladies withdrew, the conversation took such a turn, that I was obliged to4make a hasty retreat; oh, the mercy to have escaped their evil ways!
CAWNFORE, October 23, 1809.
DEAREST SIR,
Your letter of the 13th is just come to hand. Dear Mrs. Brown! by this time she has received the melancholy intelligence. But oh! the God whom she serves will comfort her. He will enable her to submit, without repining, to the severest dispensations; and though she is now in heaviness, with the rest of the church of God, through manifold afflictions, her faith thus tried by fire, shall be found unto praise, and honor, and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ. It is the Lord; let this silence every murmur. Charge her to cherish her precious life; not for her family only, but the church in India. You are essential to us, and she to you. She must live therefore, and must for the general good dismiss all earth-born woes, ere they prey on the little remnant of her strength. * * * *
Your’s, ever affectionately
H. MARTYN.
To the Rev. D. BROWN, Calcutta.
NOVEMBER 5. (Sunday.) Preached to the dragoons on the parable of the Prodigal Son, at sun-rise; at ten o’clock at head-quarters, on Elijah and the prophets of Baal: several ladies were present, but few else. Received letters from Colonel S. which filled my soul with wonder, love, and praise. Oh, what hath God wrought! Oh, how shall I praise him! and those dear friends, too, whom he hath given to be our companions in immortality and glory. Oh, how I could clasp them to my heart, especially. Oh, what an encouragement have we to pray more and more! 0 may his kingdom come! Amen. Amen.
Nov. 19. (Sunday.) Preached at sun-rise to the dragoons, on John i. 17. “The law was given by Moses.” At eleven at head- quarters, on Horn. iii. 10. Received a letter from Mr. Simeon, mentioning S — ’s illness; consumption has seized her, as it did my mother and sister, and will carry her off, as it did them; and now I am the only one left. Oh, my dear — , though I know you are well prepared, how does nature bleed at the thought of a beloved sister’s drooping and dying! Yet still to see those whom I love go before me, without so much as a doubt of their going to glory, will, I hope, soothe my sorrow. How soon shall I follow? I know it must be soon. The paleness and fatigue I exhibit after every season of preaching, show plainly that death is settled in my lungs.
JANUARY 1, 1810. Nothing important has occurred this last year, but my removal to Cawnpore, and the commencement of my ministry, as I hope it may be called, among the Gentiles. This, with my endeavors to instruct the servants, has been blessed by the Lord, to the improvement of my temper and behavior towards them, as I hope that I am more patient with them than before, though I have, alas! very much still to reproach myself with on this head. This whole year also, I have been more or less engaged in investigating the nature of language, with little further benefit as yet, than being enabled by it often to select the most proper words, even of those I never saw before.
JANUARY I, 1810.
A change of date, that calls for serious thought. Another year gone, dear brother. How soon the tale will be told! May every succeeding year find us increasingly laborious and holy, so that when time shall be no more, and rolling years shall cease to move, we may rest, as faithful servants of our Lord, who have done their work! Well, but now for my congregation of the poor, the blind, the maimed, and the lame. I went without fear, trusting to myself and not to the Lord, and accordingly I was put to shame; that is, I did not read half as well as the preceding days. I shuffled and stammered, and indeed I am persuaded, that there were many sentences the poor things did not understand at all. I spoke of the dry land, rivers, <fec.; here I mentioned Gunga, (Ganges) “a good river;” but there were others as good. God loves Hindoos, but does he not love others also? He gave them a good river, but to others as good. All are alike before God.” This was received with applause. On the work of the fourth day, “Thus sun and moon are lamps. Shall I worship a candle in my hand? As a candle in the house, so is the sun in the sky.” Applause from the Mahomedans. There were also hisses; but whether these betokened displeasure against me, or the worship of the sun, I do not know. I then charged them to worship Gunga and sun and moon no more, but the honor they used to give to them henceforward to give to God their Maker. Who knows but even this was a blow struck, at least a branch lopped from the tree of heathenism? The number was about 550. You need not be deterred, dear brother, if this simple way of
teaching do any good.
H, MARTYN.
To the Rev. D. CQRRIE.
JAN. 18. (Sunday.) My birth-day; to-day I completed my twenty-ninth year; how much had D. Brainerd done at this time of life! I once used to flutter myself when reading his life, that when entering my thirtieth year, I might have the happiness of seeing an Indian congregation of saints won to the gospel through my preaching. Alas! how far is this ir.>m being the case; scarcely even an European can I fix upon as having been awakened under my ministry since coming here.
MAHCII 4. (Sunday.) Sermon both at the General’s and to the artillery, on the parable of the prodigal; my own heart was affected with the love of God, and the people of both congregations were visibly affected too. After all, the rod of God’s strength is the simple preaching of Jesus Christ. Preached to the natives in the afternoon.
MARCH 23. A letter from Mr. Simeon brought me the news of my dear sister’s death, an event I have long looked upon as certain, yet it affected me much, very solemnly and tenderly; she was my dear counsellor and guide for a Ion-*1 time in the Christian way, and she has finished her own journey very happily. My soul, through grace, shall pursue the .same path, till I meet her again in heaven. Oh, this vain world! what is there now in this howling wilderness to charm me? I have not a relation left, to whom I feel bound by the ties of Christian fellowship; and I am resolved to form no new connection of a worldly nature, so that I. may hencefor ward hope to live entirely as a man of another world.
CAWNPOUE, March 30, 1810.
Since you kindly bid me, my beloved friend, consider you in the place of that dear sister, whom it has pleased God in his wisdom to take from me, I gratefully accept the offer of a correspondence, which it has ever been the anxious wish of my heart to establish. Your kindness is the more acceptable, because it is shown in the day of affliction. Though I had heard of my dearest sister’s illness some months before
I received the account of her death, and though the nature of her disorder was such as left me not a ray of hope, so that I was mercifully prepared for the event; still the certainty of it fills me with anguish. It is not that she has left me, for I never expected to sec her more on earth. I have no doubt of meeting her in heaven, but I cannot bear to think of the pangs of dissolution she underwent, which have been unfortunately detailed to me with too much particularity. Would that I had never heard them, or could efface them from my remembrance! But oh, may I learn what the Lord is teaching me by these repeated strokes! May I learn meekness and resignation! May the world always appear as vain as it does now, and my continuance in it as short and uncertain! How frightful is the desolation which death makes!
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and how appalling his visits, when he enters one’s family! I would rather never have been born, than be born and die, were it not for Jesus, the prince of life, the resurrection and the life. How inexpressibly precious is this Saviour, when eternity seems near! I hope often to communicate with you on these subjects, and in return for your kind and consolatory letters, to send you from time to time accounts of myself and my proceedings. Through you, I can hear of all my friends in the west. When I first heard of the loss I was likely to suffer, and began to reflect on my own friendless situation, you were much in my thoughts, whether you would be silent on this occasion or no? whether you would persist in your resolution? Friends indeed I have, and brethren, blessed be God! but two brothers cannot supply the place of one sister. When month after month passed away, and no letter came from you, I almost abandoned the hope of ever hearing from you again. It only remained to wait the result of my last application through Emma. You have kindly anticipated my request, and I need scarcely add, are more endeared to mo than ever.
Of your illness, my dearest Lydia, I had heard nothing, and it was well for me that I did not.
Your’s, ever affectionately,
II. MARTYN.
To Miss L. GRENPELL.
CAWNPORE, April 16, 1810.
DEAREST SIR,
18, I do not know whether I may venture to tell you that I have a pain in my breast, occasioned, I fear, from over- exertion of my lungs on the Sundays; the Sunday before last it made its first appearance, and I was tolerably careful the whole week. Last Sunday it came on again at night, and I was obliged to leave my men in the midst. To-day (Wednesday) it is not gone. Such a symptom in my constitution is alarming; but let me assure you that in future I will be as careful as possible, if it be not too late. I do not know whether it is really a love to my work, or only the love of life; but I should be more contented to depart if I had finished the translation of the Epistles. The will of our God be done! Pray for me. Prayer lengthened Hezekiah’s life; perhaps it may mine.
Your’s, ever affectionately,
II. MARTYN,
To the Rev. D. BROWN.
APRIL 18. Major F called; I determined to be more
careful; but short as the conversation was, it hurt me. These symptoms are alarming in such a consumptive constitution as mine; yet why shall I say alarming, if my time is come in the will of God? At the apprehended approaches of death, my guilt and neglects rise to view, and make me often unhappy; but though cast down, I am not dismayed.
CAW.NPORE, April 19, 1810.
I begin my correspondence with my beloved Lydia, not without a fear of its being soon to end. Shall I venture to tell you, that our family complaint has again made its appearance in me, with more unpleasant symptoms than it has ever yet done? However, God, who two years ago redeemed my life from destruction, may again, for his church’s sake, interpose for my deliverance. Though, alas! what am I, that my place should not instantly be supplied with far more efficient instruments? The symptoms I mentioned are chiefly a pain in the chest, occasioned, I suppose, by over-exertion the two last Sundays, and incapacitating me at present from all public duty, and even from conversation. You were mistaken in supposing that my former illness originated from study. Study never makes me ill — scarcely ever fatigues me — but my lungs! death is seated there; it is speaking that kills me. May it give others life. “Death worketh in us, but life in you.” Nature intended me, as I should judge from the structure of my frame, for chamber- counsel, not for a pleader at the bar. But the call of Jesus Christ bids me cry aloud, and spare not. As his minister, I am a debtor both to the Greek and the Barbarian. How can I be silent when I have both ever before me, and my debt not paid? You would surro-est that energies more restrained will eventually be more efficient. I am aware of this, and mean to act upon this principle in future, if the resolution is not formed too late. But you know how apt we are to outstep the bounds of prudence, when there is no kind monitor at hand to warn us of the consequences.
Had I been favored with the one I wanted, I might not now have had occasion to mourn. Y“ou smile at my allusion; at least I hope so, for I am hardly in earnest. I have long since ceased to repine at the decree, that keeps us as far asunder as the east is from the west; and yet am far from regretting that I ever knew you. The remembrance of you calls forth the exercise of delightful affections, and has kept me from many a snare. How wise and good is our God, in all his dealings with his children! Had I yielded to the suggestions of flesh and blood, and remained in England as I should have done, without the effectual working of his power I should without doubt have sunk with my sisters into an early grave. Whereas here, to say the least, I may live a few years, so as to accomplish a very important work. His keeping you from me, appears also, at this season of bodily infirmity, to be an occasion of thankfulness. Death, I think, would be a less welcome visitor to me, if he came to take me from a wife, and that wife were you. Now if I die, I die unnoticed, involving none in calamity. Oh that I could trust him for all that is to come, and love him with that perfect love, which casteth out fear! for to say the truth, my confidence is sometimes shaken. To appear before the Judge of quick and dead is a much more awful thought in sickness than in health. Yet I dare not doubt the all-sufficiency of Jesits Christ; nor can I, with the utmost ingenuity of unbelief, resist the reasonings of St. Paul, all whose reasons seem to be drawn up on purpose to work into the mind the persuasion, that God will glorify himself by the salvation of sinners through Jesus Christ. I wish I could more enter into the meaning of this “chosen vessel.” He seems to move in a world by himself, and sometimes to utter the unspeakable words, such as my natural understanding discerneth not; and when I turn to commentators, I find that I have passed out of the spiritual, to the material world, and have got amongst men like myself. But soon, as he says, we shall no longer see as in a glass, by reflected rays, but see as we are seen, and know as we are known.
APRIL 25. After another interval, I resume my pen. Through the mercy of God I am again quite well; but my
1810.] OF THE REV. HENRY MARTYN. 42T
mind is a good deal distressed at Sabat’s conduct. I forbear writing what’- 1 think, in the hope that my fears may prove groundless; but indeed the children of the East are adepts in deceit. Their duplicity appears to me so disgusting at this moment, that I can only find relief from my growing misanthropy by remembering Him, who is the faithful and true witness; in whom all the promises of God are yea and amen; and by turning to the faithful in Europe — children that will not lie. Where shall we find sincerity in a native
of the East? Yesterday I dined in a private way with.
After one year’s inspection of me, they begin to lose their dread, and venture to invite me. Our conversation was occasionally religious, but topics of this nature are so new to fashionable people, and those upon which they have thought so much less than on any other, that often from the shame of having nothing to say, they pass to other subjects, where they can be more at home. I was asked after dinner if I liked music. On my professing to be an admirer of harmony, cantos were performed and songs sung. After a time I inquired if they had no sacred music. It was now recollected, that they had some of Handel’s, but it could not be found. A promise however was made, that next time I came, it should be produced. Instead of it, the 145th Psalm-tune was played, but none of the ladies could recollect enough of the tune to sing it. I observed, that all our talents and powers should be consecrated to the service of Him who gave them. To this no reply was made; but the reproof was felt. I asked the lady of the house, if she read poetry, and then proceeded to mention Cowper, whose poems it seems were in the library; but the lady had never heard of the book. This was produced, and I read some passages. Poor people! here a little, and there a little, is a rule to be observed in speaking to them.
APRIL 26. From speaking to my men last night, and again
•
to-day conversing long with some natives, my chest is again in pain, so much that I can hardly speak. Well! now I am taught, and will take more care in future. My sheet being full, I must bid you adieu. The Lord ever bless and keep you! Believe me to be with the truest affection,
Yours ever, H. MARTYX.
APRIL 29. (Sunday.) Preached to the artillery half an hour before sunrise, on Acts xx. 21. To spare my chest, I spoke low and deliberately, in consequence of which there was more solemnity, and my heart was affected. Afterwards at the General’s, on Matt. xi. 28. I could do no more; for what with reading the baptismal service twice, and a funeral, I could neither speak to the fakirs nor to my men at night.
CAWXPORE, June 11, 1810.
DEAREST SIR,
The excessive heat, by depriving me of my rest at night, keeps me between sleeping and waking all day. This is one reason, why I have been remiss in answering your letters. It must not however be concealed, that the man Daniel Corrie has kept me so long talking that I have had no time for writing since his arrival.
Your idea about presenting splendid copies of the Scriptures to native great men has often struck me; but my counsel is, not to do it with the first edition. I have too little faith in the instruments, to believe that the first editions will be excellent; and if they should be found defective, we cannot, after once presenting the great men with one book, repeat the thing.
Before the second edition of the Arabic, what say you to my carrying the first with me to Arabia, having under the other arm the Persian to be examined at Shiraz or Tehran? By the time they are both ready I shall have nearly finished my seven years, and may go on furlough.
I am glad to find you promising to give yourself wholly to your plans. I always tremble, lest Mrs. Brown should order you home; but I must not suspect her; she has the soul of a missionary. If you go soon, we shall all droop and die, Your Polyglot speculations are fine; but Polyglots are biblical luxuries, intended for the gratification of men of two tongues or more. We must first feed those that have but one, especially as single tongues are growing upon us so fast.
JUNE 12. To-day I have requested the Commander of the forces to detain D. Corrie here to assist me; he said he did not like to make innovations, but would keep him here for two or three months. This will be a great relief to my laboring chest, for I am still far from being out of the fear of consumption. Tell me that you have prayed for me.
Your’s, &c. II. M.
To the Rev. D. BROWN.
CAWNPORE, Aug. 14, 1810.
With what delight do I sit down to begin a letter to my beloved Lydia! Yours of the 5th of February, which I received a few days ago, was written, I perceive, in considerable embarrassment. You thought it possible it might find me married, or about to be so. Let me begin therefore, with assuring you with more truth than Gehazi did his master, “Thy servant went no whither:” my heart has not strayed from Marazion, or Guiiyn, or wherever you are. Five long years have passed, and I am still faithful. Happy would it be, if I could say that I had been equally true to my profession of love for Him who is fairer than ten thousand, and altogether lovely. Yet to the praise of his grace let me recollect, that twice five years have passed away, since I began to know him, and I am still not gone from him. On the contrary, time and experience have endeared the Lord to me more and more, so that I feel less inclination, and see less reason for leaving him. What is there, alas! in the world, were it even everlasting?
I rejoice at the accounts you give me of your continued good health and labors of love. Though you are not so use fully employed as you might be in India, yet as that must not be, I contemplate with delight your exertions at the other end of the world. May you be instrumental in bringing many sons and daughters to glory! What is become of St. Hilary, and its fairy scenes? When I think of Malachy, and the old man, and your sister, and Josepha, <fec., how some are dead, and the rest are dispersed, and their place occupied by strangers, it seems all like a dream.
I do not know whether you understand how we go on. I must endeavor to give you a clearer idea of it.
We all live here in bungalows, or thatched houses, on a piece of ground enclosed. Next to mine is the church, not yet opened for public worship; but which we make use of at night with the men of the 53rd. Corrie lives with me, and Miss Corrie with the Sherwoods. We usually rise at day break, and breakfast at six. Immediately after breakfast we pray together, after which I translate into Arabic with Sabat, who lives in a small bungalow on my ground. We dine at twelve, and sit recreating ourselves with talkinf a little about
O O
dear friends in England. In the afternoon, I translate with Mirza Fitrut into Hindoostanee, and Corrie employs himself in teaching some native Christian boys, whom he is educating with great care, in hopes of their being fit for the office of catechist. I have also a school on my premises, for natives; but it is not well attended. There are not above sixteen Hindoo boys in it at present; half of them read the book of Genesis. At sunset we ride or drive, and then meet at the church, where we often raise the song of praise, with as much joy, through the grace and presence of our Lord, as you do in England. At ten we are all asleep. Thus we go on. To the hardships of missionaries, we are strangers; yet not averse, I trust, to encounter them, when we are called. My work at present is evidently to translate; hereafter I may itinerate. Dear Corrie, I fear, never will; he always suffers from moving about in the day-time. But I should have said something about my health, as I find my death was reported at Cambridge. I thank God, I am perfectly well, though not very strong in my lungs; they do not seem affected yet, but I cannot speak long without uneasiness. From the nature of my complaint, if it deserves the name, it is evident that England is the last place I should go to. I should go home only to find a grave. How shall I therefore ever see you more on this side of eternity? Well! be it so, since such is the will of God: we shall meet, through Grace, in the realms
3 C) O *
of bliss.
I am truly sorry to see my paper fail. Write as often as possible, every three months at least. Tell me where you go, arid whom you see, and what you read.
17th. I am sorry to conclude with saying, that my yesterday’s boasted health proved a mistake;’! was seized with violent sickness in the night, but to-day am better. Continue to pray for me, and believe me to be
Your ever affectionate,
H. MARTYN.
CAWNPORE, August 17, 1810.
MY DKAR G,
I rejoice exceedingly in your kind remembrance of me, but above all that you stand fast in the Lord, and are still pressing towards the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. The sickness and faintness, in which I was obliged to conclude the inclosed letter, are now nearly removed”; but I am resolved to quit, for a while, my native assistants, mere exhausters of my strength, and recreate myself on the river — though, alas! it will be no recreation to me — for I am never so miserable as when idle. This last short sickness has, I trust, been blessed much to me. I sought not immediately for consolations, but for grace, patiently to endure and to glory in tribulation; in this way I found peace. Oh this surely is bliss, to have our will absorbed in the divine will. In this state are the spirits of just men made perfect in heaven. The spread of the gospel in these parts is now become an interesting subject to you — such is the universal change. I have not much to say about it. All the English missionaries and chaplains confine their attention almost exclusively to the translation of the scriptures, this appearing at present the first thing to be done. To preach so as to be understood, is no easy matter; nor even to translate,
H. MARTYX.
CAWNPORE, August 22, 1810.
DEAREST SIR,
Shall I come down, or shall I not? I have an aversion to Calcutta, with all the talking and preaching to which I shall be tempted there; yet you insist upon it; and sooner or later I must pass through it to the sea, or I shall be buried there.
We hope to be on the river in a day or two; not to go far from Cawnpore. On Sunday I preached twice, and have hardly recovered my breath yet. I want silence and diversion, a little dog to play with; or what would be best of all, a dear little chlid, such as Fanny was when I left her. Perhaps you could learn, when the ships usually sail for Mocha. I have set my heart upon going there; I could be there and back in six months.
H. MARTYN.
To the Rev. DAVID BROWN, Calcutta.
FROM THE GANGES, October 6, 1810.
MY DEAREST LYDIA,
Though I have had no letter from you very lately, nor have anything particular to say, yet having been days on the water without a person to speak to, tired also with reading and thinking, I mean to indulge myself with a little of what is always agreeable to me, and sometimes good for me; for as my affection for you has something sacred in it, being founded on, or at least cemented by, an union of spirit in the Lord Jesus; so my separation also from you produced a deadness to the world, at least for a time, which leaves a solemn impression as often as I think of it. Add to this, that as I must not indulge the hope of ever seeing you again in this world, I cannot think of you without thinking also of that world where we shall meet. You mention in one of your letters my coming to England, as that which may eventually prove a duty. You ought to have added, that in case I do come, you will consider it a duty not to let me come away again without you. But I am not likely to put you to the trial. Useless as I am here, I often think I should be still more so at home. Though my voice fails me, I can translate and converse. At home I should be nothing with out being able to lift up my voice on high. I have just left my station, Cawnpore, in order to be silent six months. I have no cough, nor any sign of consumption, except that reading prayers, or preaching, or a slight cold, brings on pain in the chest. I am advised, therefore, to recruit my strength by rest. So I am come forth, with my face towards Calcutta, with an ulterior view to the sea.
I think of having my portrait taken in Calcutta, as I promised Mr. Simeon five years ago. Sabat’s picture would also be a curiosity. Yesterday I carried Colonel Wood to dine with me, at the Nabob Bahir Ali’s. Sabat was there. The Colonel, who had been reading by the way the account of his conversion, in the Asiatic and East Society Report, which I had given him, eyed him with no great complacency, and observed in French, that Sabat might not understand him, “11 a 1’air d’un sauvage.” Sabat’s countenance is in deed terrible; noble when he is pleased, but with the look of an assassin when he is out of humor.
Nov. 5. Calcutta. Arrived the last day in October. Constant conversation with dear friends here has brought on the pain in the chest again, so that I do not attempt to preach. In two or three weeks I shall embark for the Gulf of Persia, where, if I live, I shall solace myself in my hours of solitude, with writing to you.
Farewell, beloved friend; pray for me, as you do, I am sure; and doubt not of an unceasing interest in the heart and prayers of your ever affectionate,
II. MARTYN.
JANUARY 1, 1811. The weakness which has come upon me in the course of the last year, if it should not give an entire new turn to my life, is likely to be productive of events in the course of the present year, which I little expected, or at least did not expect so soon. I now pass from India to Arabia, not knowing what things shall befal me there; but assured that an ever faithful God and Saviour will be with me in all places whithersoever I go. May he guide and protect me! and after prospering me in the thing whereunto I go, bring me back again to my delightful work in India! It would be a painful thought indeed to suppose myself about to return no more. Having succeeded, apparently, through his blessing, in the Hindoostanee New Testament, I feel much encouraged, and could wish to be spared in order to finish the Bible.
AT SEA, COAST OF MALABAR, Feb. 3, 1811.
The last letter I wrote to you, my dearest Lydia, was dated November 1810. I continued in Calcutta to the end of the year, preaching once a week, and reading the word in some happy little companies, with whom I enjoyed that sweet communion, which all in this vale of tears have reason to be thankful for, but especially those whose lot is cast in a heathen land. On New-year’s day at Mr. Brown’s urgent request, I preached a sermon for the Bible Society, recommending an immediate attention to the state of the native Christians. At the time I left Calcutta they talked of forming an auxiliary society. Leaving Calcutta was so much like leaving England, that I went on board my boat without giving them notice, and so escaped the pain of bidding them farewell. The group is rather interesting, and I am happy to say not averse to religious instruction; I mean the Europeans. As for the Asiatics, they are, in language, customs, and religion, as far removed from us, as if they were inhabitants of another planet. I speak a little Arabic sometimes to the sailors; but their contempt of the gospel, and attachment to their own superstition, make their conversion appear impossible. How stupendous that power, which can make these people the followers of the Lamb, when they so nearly resemble Satan in pride and wickedness! The first part of the voyage I was without employment, and almost without thought, suffering as usual so much from sea-sickness, that I had not spirits to do anything but sit upon the poop, surveying the wide waste of waters blue. This continued all down the bay of Bengal. At length in the neighborhood of Ceylon we found smooth water, and came to and anchor off Columbo, the principal station in the island. The captain, having proposed to his passengers that they should go ashore and refresh themselves with a walk in the Cinnamon gardens, Mr. E. and myself availed ourselves of the offer, and went off to inhale the cinnamon breeze. The walk was delightful. The huts of the natives, who are (in that neighborhood, at least) most of them Protestants, are built in thick groves of cocoanut-tree, with openings here and there, discovering the sea. Everything bore the appearance of contentment. I contemplated them with delight, and was almost glad that 1 could not speak with them, lest further acquaintance should have dissipated the pleasing ideas their appearance gave birth to. In the gardens I cut off a piece of the bark for you. It will not be so fragrant as that which is properly prepared; but it will not have lost its fine smell, I hope, when it reaches you.
At Captain R.’s, the Chief Secretary to Government, we met a good part of the European society of Columbo. The party was like most mixed parties in England, where much is said that need not be remembered. The next day we stretched across the gulf of Manaan and soon came in sight of Cape Comorin, the great promontory of India. At a distance the green waves seemed to wash the foot of the mountain; but on a nearer approach little churches were seen, apparently on the beach, with a row of little huts on each side. Was it these maritime situations, that recalled to my
mind Perran church and town in the way to; or that
my thoughts wander .too often on the beach to the east of
T? You do not tell me, whether you ever walk there,
and imagine the billows that break at your feet, to have made their way from India. But why should I wish to know? Had I observed silence on that day and thenceforward, I should have spared you much trouble, and myself much pain. Yet I am far from regretting that I spoke; since I am persuaded that all things will work together for good. I sometimes try to put such a number of things together, as shall produce the greatest happiness possible, and I find, that even in imagination I cannot satisfy myself. I set myself to see what is that “Good for the sons of men, which they should do under heaven all the days of their life,” and I find that paradise is not here. Many things are delightful, some things are almost all one could wish; but yet in all beauty there is deformity; in the most perfect something is wanting, and there is no hope of its ever being otherwise, “That which is crooked cannot be made straight, and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.” So that the expectation of happiness on earth seems chimerical to the last degree. In my schemes of happiness I place myself of course with you, blessed with great success in the ministry, and seeing all India turning to the Lord. Yet it is evident, that with these joys there would be mingled many sorrows. The care of all the churches was a burden to the mighty mind of St. Paul. As for what we should be together, I judge of it from our friends. Are they quite beyond the vexations of common life? I think not — still I do not say that it is a question, whether they gained or lost by marrying. Their affections will live when ours (I should rather say mine) are dead. Perhaps it may not be the effect of celibacy; but I certainly begin to feel a wonderful indifference to all but myself. From seldom seeing a creature that cares for me, and never one that depends at all upon me, I begin to look round upon men with reciprocal apathy. It sometimes calls itself deadness to the world, but I much fear, that it is deadness of heart. I am exempt from worldly cares myself, and therefore do not feel for others. Having got out of the stream into still water, I go round and round in my own little circle. This supposed deterioration you will ascribe to my humility; therefore I add, that Mr. Brown could not help remarking the difference between what I am and what I was, and observed, on seeing my picture, which was taken at Calcutta for Mr. Simeon, and is thought a striking likeness, that it was not Martyn that arrived in India, but
Martyn the recluse. 10. To-day my affections seem to have revived a little. I have been often deceived in times past, and erroneously called animal spirits, joy in the Holy Ghost. Yet I trust that I can say with truth, “To them who believe, He is precious!” “Yes, Thou art precious to my soul, my transport and my trust.” No thought now is so sweet, as that which those words suggest — “In Christ.” Our destinies thus inseparably united with those of the Son of God! What is too great to be expected? all things are yours, for ye are Christ’s! We may ask what we will, and it shall be given to us. Now, why do I ever lose sight of him! or fancy myself without him, or try to do anything without him? Break off a branch from a tree, and how long will it be before it withers? To-day, my beloved sister, I rejoice in you be fore the Lord; I rejoice in you as a member of the mystic body; I pray that your prayers for one who is unworthy of your remembrance may be heard, and bring down tenfold blessings on yourself. How good is the Lord in giving me grace to rejoice with his chosen, all over the earth! even with those, who are at this moment going up with the voice of joy and praise, to tread his courts and sing his praise. There is not an object about me but is depressing. Yet my heart expands with delight at the presence of a gracious God, and the assurance that my separation from his people is only temporary. On the 7th we landed at Goa, the capital of the Portuguese possessions in the east. I reckoned much on my visit to Goa, expecting from its being the residence of the Archbishop and many ecclesiastics, that I should obtain such information about the Christians in India, as would render it superfluous to make inquiries elsewhere; but I was much disappointed. Perhaps it was owing to our be ing accompanied by several officers, English and Portuguese, that the Archbishop and his principal agents would not be seen; but so it was, that I scarcely met with a man who
1811.] OF THE RKV. HENRY MARTYN. 439
could make himself intelligible. We are shown what strangers usually see, the churches and monasteries, but I wanted to contemplate man, the only thing on earth almost that possesses any interest for me. I beheld the stupendous magnificence of their noble churches without emotion, except to regret that the gospel was not preached in them. In one of the monasteries we saw the tomb of Francis Xavier, the Apostle of India, most richly ornamented, as well as the room in which it stands, with paintings and figures in bronze, done in Italy. The Friar, who showed us the tomb, happening to speak of the grace of God in the heart, without which — said he, as he held the sacramental wafer — the body of Christ profits nothing; I began a conversation with him, which however came to nothing.
We visited among many other places the convent of Nuns. After a long altercation with the lady porter, we were admitted to the ante-chamber, in which was the grate, a window with iron bars, behind which the poor prisoners make their appearance. While my companions were purchasing their trinkets, I was employed in examining their countenances, which I did with great attention. In what possible way, thought I, can you support existence if you do not find your happiness in God? They all looked ill and discontented — those, at least, whose countenances expressed anything.
18. (Bombay.) Thus far I am brought in safety. On this day I complete my 30th year. “Here I raise my Ebenezer; Hither by thy help I’m come.” 27. It is sweet to reflect, that we shall at last reach our home. I am here amongst men who are indeed aliens to the commonwealth of Israel, and without God in the world. I hear many of those amongst whom I live bring idle objections against religion, such as I have answered a hundred times. How insensible are men of the world to all that God is doing! How unconscious of his purposes concerning his church! How incapable, seemingly, of comprehending the existence of it! I feel the meaning of St. Paul’s words — “Hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of his will, that he would gather in one all things in Christ.” Well! let us bless the Lord — “All thy children shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of thy chidren.”
Farewell, my beloved Lydia, and believe me to be
Ever your’s most affectionately,
H. MARTYN.
GOA, February 8, 1811.
DEAREST SIR,
All clown the Bay of Bengal I suffered so much from sea-sickness, that I had not spirits to prepare a letter for you. This is the reason you did not hear from Ceylon. We did not touch at Point de Galle, but passed on to Columbo, where we arrived on the 22d. Mr. Elphinstone and myself went ashore to refresh ourselves with a walk in the cinnamongarden. In our way thither I did not forget, you may be sure, to inquire whether the vine flourished and the pomegranate budded; but I was disappointed in not meeting with any who could give me the information I wanted. Mr. Twistleton was not at home, and General Maitland was ill at Mount Lavinia. From our Cingalese guide, who spoke English very well, Mr. E. was endeavoring to learn something about Boodh and his temples. “Sir,” said the man, “I am a Christian, a Protestant, and do not worship stocks and stones.” My heart bounded at hearing this; I got nearer, and began to question the sable brother touching the common faith. He did not, however, seem to know much, or to have felt as I hoped he had.
This place has most miserably disappointed me. I did not care about churches or convents; but I did expect to find men, bishops and archbishops, learned friars and scowling inquisitors; but Goa, as I had imagined it, does not exist. Wherever we went, a black padre was deputed to show us the church, and if a white one appeared, it was only to show his ignorance. At the Inquisition we were just admitted within the gates, and that was all. I entreated the padre to let us see the hall; but no — no Englishman now was allowed to go there.
H. MARTYN.
FEB. 17. (Sunday.) A tempestuous sea putting us all in disorder, we had no service; for myself, having had two nights’ rest broken from the same cause, I was fit for nothing during the forenoon; in the afternoon, I had an affecting sea son in prayer, in which I was shown something of my sinfulness. How desperate were my case without grace! and how impossible to hope even now, without such strong and repeated assurances on God’s part of his willingness to save! Indeed, it is nothing but his Spirit’s power, that enables me to believe at all the things that are freely given us of God. I feel happy when reading, that the enjoyments of heaven consist so much in adoration of God. This is as my heart -would have it. I would that all should adore, but especially that I myself should lie prostrate. As for self, contemptible self, I feel myself saying, let it be forgotten forever; henceforth let Christ live, let Christ reign, let Him be glorified forever.
FEB. 18. Came to anchor at Bombay. This day I finish the 30th year of my unprofitable life, an age in which Brainerd had finished his course. He gained about a hundred savages to the gospel; I can scarcely number the twentieth part. If I cannot act, and rejoice, and love with the ardor some did, oh let me at least be holy, and sober, and wise!
FEBRUARY 26, 1811.
1 write just now because I am in your neighborhood, and must say a last farewell before I lose sight of your country and mine — ill-fated India, as calls it. I lono- to be with you again at Cawnpore for many reasons. Peacefully preaching the word of life to a people daily edified, is the nearest approach to heaven below. But to move from place to place, hurried away without having time to do good, is vexatious to the spirit, as well as harassing to the body. The sea, too, I loath. Under the pressure of sea-sickness I resolved, that if ever I got back safe to India, it should not be a trifle that should move me from it again. We had prayer in the cabin every night, with all the passengers. About the end of the week we sail, if God will, for the Gulf. Had I been a little sooner, Sir J. 0. might have taken me in the Lion man-of-war; but what is clearly the appointment of Providence I do not repine at. I went aboard my ship to-day, the Mercury. There are no accommodations for passengers, but I am to have part of the Captain’s cabin. Though most of the crew are Europeans, twelve artillery-men are to be sent to help to work the guns, and another cruiser with like complement is to accompany her, and a third is to follow; so strong and desperate are these pestilent Ishmaelites! Hearing last Saturday, that some sons of Belial, members of the Bapre hunt, intended to have a great race the following day, I informed Mr., at whose house I was staying, and recommended the interference of the secular arm. He accordingly sent to forbid it. The messengers of the Bapre hunt were exceedingly exasperated; some came to church expecting to hear a sermon against hunting; but I merely preached to them on “the one thing needful.” Finding nothing to lay hold of, they had the race on Monday, and ran Hypocrite against Martha, and Mary. And now, dearest brother, may God abundantly bless you in your work, and in your own soul; keep you in health and strength, that if it be his will, we may have the comfort of meeting once more below!
H. MARTYX.
To the Rev.’ D. CORRIE.
MARCH 1. Called on Sir J. Mackintosh,* and found his conversation, as it is generally said to be, very instructive and entertaining. He thought, that the world would soon be Europeanized, in order that the gospel might spread over the world. He observed that caste was broken down in Egypt, and the oriental world made Greek, by the successors of Alexander, in order to make way for the religion of Christ. He thought that little was to be apprehended, and little hoped for, from the exertions of missionaries. Dined at Parish’s with a party of some very amiable and well-behaved young men. What a remarkable difference between the old inhabitants of India, and the new comers! This is owing to the number of religious families in England.
MUSCAT, April 22, 1811.
MY DEAREST LYDIA,
I am now in Arabia Felix; to judge from the aspect of the country, it has little pretensions to the name, unless burning barren rocks convey an idea of felicity; but perhaps, as there is a promise in reserve for the sons of Joktan, their land may one day be blest indeed.
We sailed from Bombay on Lady-day; and on the morning of Easter saw the land of Mekran in Persia. After an other week’s sail across the mouth of the Gulf, we arrived here, and expect to proceed up the Gulf to Bushire, as soon as we have taken in our water. You will be happy to learn,
* Sir James in recording this call in his journal, speaks of Martyn as “a man of acuteness and learning.” “We had two or three hours good discussion on grammar and metaphysics.”
that the murderous pirates against -whom we were sent, have ing received notice of our approach, are all got out of the way; so that I am no longer liable to be shot in a battle, or to decapitation after it, if it be lawful to judge from appearances. These pestilent Ishmaelites indeed, whose hand is against every man, will escape, and the community suffer; but that selfish friendship, of which you once confessed your self guilty, will think only of the preservation of a friend. This last marine excursion has been the pleasantest I ever made, as I have been able to pursue my studies with less interruption than when ashore. My little congregation of forty or fifty Europeans does not try my strength on Sundays; and my two companions are men who read their Bible every day. In addition to all these comforts, I have to bless God for having kept me more than usually free from the sorrowful mind. We must not always say with Watts, “the sorrows of the mind be banished from the place;” but if freedom from trouble be offered us, we may choose it rather. I do not know anything more delightful than to meet with a Christian brother, where only strangers and foreigners were expected. This pleasure I enjoyed just before leaving Bombay; a ropemaker, who had just come from England, understood from my sermon that I was one he might speak to, so he came and opened his heart, and we rejoiced together. In this ship I find another of the household of faith. In an other ship which accompanies us, there are two Armenians, who do nothing but read the Testament. One of them will, I hope, accompany me to Shiraz, in Persia, which is his native country.
We are likely to be detained here some days; but the ship that will carry our letters to India sails immediately, so that I can send but one letter to England, and one to Calcutta. When will our correspondence be established? I have been trying to effect it these six years, and it is only yet in train.
Why there was no letter from you in those dated June and July, 1810, 1 cannot conjecture, except that you had not re ceived any of mine, and would write no more. But I am not yet without hopes that a letter in the beloved hand will yet overtake me somewhere. My kindest and most affectionate remembrances to all the Western circle. Is it because
he is your brother, that I love so much? or because he
is the last come into the number? The angels love and wait upon the righteous who need no repentance; but there is joy, whenever another heir of salvation is born into the family. Read Eph. i. I cannot wish you all these spiritual blessings, since they already are all yours; but I pray that we may have the spirit of wisdom and knowledge, to know that they are ours. It is a chapter I keep in mind every day in prayer. We cannot believe too much, or hope too much. Happy our eyes that they see, and our ears that they hear!
Believe me to be ever, my dearest Lydia,
Your most affectionate,
H. MARTYN.
MAY 22. Landed at Bushire this morning in good health; how unceasing are the mercies of the Lord! blessed be his goodness, may he still preserve me from danger, and above all, make my journey a source of future good to this kingdom of Persia, into which I am now come. We were hospitably received by the acting Resident. In the evening I walked out by the sea-side, to recollect myself, to review the past, and look forward to the future.
MAY 27. Very ill, from head-ache and overpowering sleepiness, arising, as I suppose, from a stroke of the sun. As often as I attempted to read, I fell asleep, and awoke in weakness and pain. How easily may existence be embittered! still I will say, “not my will, but thine be done.”
lii the evening, a Jewish goldsmith called with a fine boy, who read the Hebrew fluently. Grief has marked the countenance of the eastern Jews, in a way that makes them indescribably interesting. I could have wept, while looking at them. O Lord, how long? Wilt thine anger burn for ever — is not justice yet satisfied? This afflicted people are as much oppressed in Persia as ever. Their women are not allowed to veil, as all others are required to do; hence, if there be one more than ordinarily beautiful, she is soon known, and a Khan or the King sends for her, makes her a Mahometan, and puts her into the harem. As soon as he is tired, she is given to another, and then to another, till she becomes the property of the most menial servant; such is the degradation to which the daughters of Israel are subjected.
MAY 28. Through the infinite and unmerited goodness of God, I am again restored, and able to do something in the way of reading. The Resident gave us some account this evening of the moral state of Persia. It is enough to make one shudder. If God rained down fire upon Sodom and Gomorrha, how is it, that this nation is not blotted out from under heaven?’ I do not remember to have heard such things of the Hindoos, except the Seiks; they seem to rival the Mahometans.
MAY 30. Our Persian dresses being ready, we set off this evening for Shiraz. It was a tine moonlio-ht night, about ten o’clock, when we marched out of the gate of Bushire, and began to make our way over the plain. This was the first time we had any of us put off the European; and the novelty of our situation supplied us with many subjects for conversation for about two hours; when we began to flag and grow sleepy, and the Kafila was pretty quiet, one of the muleteers on foot began to sing.
SHIRAZ, June 23, 1811.
MY DEAREST LYDIA,
How continually I think of you, and indeed converse with you, it is impossible to say. But on the Lord’s day in particular, I find you much in my thoughts, because it is on that day that I look abroad, and take a view of the universal church, of which I observe that the saints in England form the most conspicuous part. On that day too, I indulge my self with a view of the past, and look over again those happy days, when in company with those I loved, I went up to the house of God with a voice of praise. How then should I fail to remember her, who, of all that are dear to me, is the dearest? It is true, that I cannot look back upon many days, nor even many hours passed with you; — would they had been more; — but we have insensibly become more acquainted with each other, so that, on my part at least, it may be said, that separation has brought us nearer to one another. It was a momentary interview, but the love is lasting, everlasting. Whether we ever meet again or not, I am sure that you will continue to feel an interest in all that befalls me.
After the death of my dear sister, you bid me consider, that I had one sister left while you remained; and you can not imagine how consolatory to my mind this assurance is. To know that there is one who is willino- to think of me, and has leisure to do so, is soothing to a degree that none can know, but those who have, like me, lost all their relations.
I sent you a letter from Muscat in Arabia, which I hope you received; for if not, report will again erase my name from the catalogue of the living, as I sent no other to Europe. Let me here say, with praise to our ever-gracious heavenlj Father, that I am in perfect health; of my spirits I cannoi say much; I fancy they would be better, were “the beloved Persis” by my side. This name, which I once gave you occurs to me at this moment, I suppose, because I am in Persia, entrenched in one of its valleys, separated from Indian friends by chains of mountains and a roaring sea, among a people depraved beyond all belief, in the power of a tyrant guilty of every species of atrocity. Imagine a pale person seated on a Persian carpet, in a room without table or chair, with a pair of formidable mustachios, and habited as a Persian, and you see me.
JUNE 26. Here I expect to remain six months. The reason is this; I found on my arrival here, that our attempts at Persian translation in India were good for nothing; at the same time they proposed, with my assistance, to make a new translation. It was an offer I could not refuse, as they speak the purest dialect of the Persian. My host is a man of rank, his name Jaffier Ali Khan, who tries to make the period of my captivity as agreeable as possible. His wife, — for he has but one — never appears; parties of young ladies come to see her; but though they stay days in the house, he dare not go into the room where they are. Without intending a compliment to your sex, I must say, that the society here, from the exclusion of females, is as dull as it can well be. Perhaps, however, to a stranger like myself, the most social circles would be insipid. I am visited by all the great and the learned; the former come out of respect to my country, the latter to my profession. The conversation with the latter is always upon religion: and it would be strange indeed, if, with the armor of truth on the right hand and on the left, I were not able to combat with success, the upholders of such a system of absurdity and sin. As the Persians are a far more unprejudiced and inquisitive people than the Indians, and do not stand quite so much in awe of an Englishman, as the timid natives of Hindoostan, I hope they will learn some thing from me; the hope of this reconciles me to the necessity imposed on me of staying here; about the translation I dare not be sanguine. The prevailing opinion concerning me is, that I have repaired to Shiraz in order to become a Mussulman. Others, more sagacious, say, that I shall bring from India some more, under pretence of making them Mussulmans, but, in reality, to seize the place. They do not seem to have thought of my wish, to have them converted to my religion; they have been so long accustomed to remain without proselytes to their own. I shall probably have very little to write about for some months to come, and therefore I reserve the extracts of my journal since I last wrote to you, for some other opportunity, besides that the ambassador with whose dispatches this will go, is just leaving Shiraz.
JULY 2. The Mahomedans now come in such numbers to visit me, that I am obliged, for the sake of my translationwork, to decline seeing them. To-day one of the apostate sons of Israel was brought by a party of them, to prove the divine mission of Mahommed from the Hebrew Scriptures; but with all his sophistry he proved nothing. I can almost say with St. Paul, I feel continual pity in my heart for them, and love them for their Father’s sake, and find a pleasure in praying for them. While speaking of the return of the Jews to Jerusalem, I observed, that the “gospel of the kingdom must first be preached in all the world, and then shall the end come.” He replied with a sneer, “And this event, I suppose you mean to say, is beginning to take place by your bringing the gospel to Persia.”
JULY 5. I am so incessantly occupied with visitors and my work, that I have hardly a moment for myself. I have more and more reason to rejoice at my being sent here; there is such an extraordinary stir about religion throughout the city, that some good must come of it. I sometimes sigh for a little Christian communion; yet even from these Mahomedans I hear remarks that do me good; to-day, for instance, my assistant observed, “how he loved those twelve persons;”
yes, said I, and not those twelve only, but all those who shall believe in him; as he said, “I pray not for them alone, but for all them who shall believe on me through their word.” Even the enemy is constrained to wonder at the love of Christ. Shall not the object of it say, What manner of love is this? I have seen Europe newspapers of only four months date, so that I am delightfully near you. May we live near one another in the unity of the Spirit, having one Lord, one hope, one God and Father! In your prayers for me, pray that utterance may be given me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mysteries of the gospel. I often envy my Persian hearers the freedom and eloquence with which they speak to me. Were I but possessed of their powers, I sometimes think that I should win them all; but the work is God’s, and the faith of his people does not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Remember me as usual with the most unfeigned affection to all my dear friends. This is now the seventh letter I send you, without having received an answer.
Farewell, your’s,
Ever most affectionately,
H. MARTYN
SHIRAZ, Sept. 8, 1811.
MY DEAREST LYDIA,
A courier on his way to the capital affords me the unexpected pleasure of addressing my most beloved friend. It is now six months since I left India, and in all that time I have not heard from thence. The dear friends there, happy in each other’s society, do not enough call to mind my forlorn condition. Here I am still, beset by cavilling infidels, and making very little progress in my translation, and half disposed to give it up, and come away. My kind host, to re lieve the tedium of being always within a walled town, pitched a tent for me in a garden a little distance, and there I lived amidst clusters of grapes, by the side of a clear stream; but nothing compensates for the loss of the excellent of the earth. It is my business, however, as you will say, and ought to be my effort, to make saints where I cannot find them. I do use the means in a certain way; but frigid reasoning with men of perverse minds seldom brings men to Christ. How ever, as they require it, I reason, and accordingly challenged them to prove the divine mission of their prophet. In consequence of this, a learned Arabic Treatise was written by one, who was considered as the most able man, and put into my hands; copies of it were also given to the college and the learned. The writer of it said, that if I could give a satisfactory answer to it, he would become a Christian, and, at all events, would make my reply as public as I pleased. I did answer it, and after some faint efforts on his part to defend himself, he acknowledged the force of my arguments, but was afraid to let them be generally known. He then began to inquire about the gospel, but was not satisfied with my statement. He required me to prove from the very beginning the divine mission of Moses, as well as of Christ; the truth of the Scriptures, &c. With very little hope that any good will come of it, I am now employed in drawing out the evidences of the truth; but oh, that I could converse, and reason, and plead with power from on high! How power less are the best-directed arguments, till the Holy Ghost renders them effectual!
A few days ago I was just on the eve of my departure for Ispahan, as I thought, and my translator had consented to accompany me as far as Bagdad: but just as we were setting out, news came that the Persians and Turks were fighting thereabouts, and that the road was in consequence impassable. I do not know what the Lord’s purpose may be in keeping me here; but I trust it will be for the furtherance of the gospel of Christ, and in that belief I abide contentedly.
I am happy to say that I am quite well, indeed never better; no returns of pain in the chest since I left India. May I soon receive the welcome news that you, also, are well and prospering, even as your soul prospers! I read your letters incessantly, and try to find out something new, as I generally do; but I begin to look with pain at the distant date of the last. I cannot tell what to think; but I cast all my care upon him who hath already done wonders for me, and am sure that, come what will, it shall be good, it shall be best. How sweet the privilege, that we may lie as little chil dren before him! I find that my wisdom is folly, and my care useless; so that I try to live on from day to day, happy in his love and care. May that God who hath loved us, and given us everlasting consolation, and good hope through grace, bless, love, and keep my ever dearest friend! and dwelling in the secret place of the Most High, and abiding under the shadow of the Almighty, may she enjoy that sweet tranquillity which the world cannot disturb! Dearest Lydia! pray for me, and believe me to be ever most faithfully and affectionately yours,
H. MARTYN.
SHIRAZ, Sept. 12, 1811.
DEAREST BROTHER,
I can hardly conceive, or at least am not willing to believe, that you would forget me six successive months; I conclude, therefore, that you must have written, though I have not seen your hand- writing since I left Calcutta.
The Persian translation goes on but slowly. I and my translator have been engaged in a controversy with his uncle, which has left us little leisure for anything else. As there is nothing at all in this dull place to take the attention of the people — no trade, manufactures, or news — every event at all novel is interesting to them. You may conceive, therefore, what a strong sensation was produced by the stab I aimed at the vitals of Mahommed. Before five people had seen what I wrote, defences of Islam swarmed into ephemeral being from all the Moulwee maggots of the place, but the more judicious men were ashamed to let me see them. One Moollah, called Aga Acber, was determined to distinguish himself. He wrote with great acrimony on the margin of my pamphlet; but passion had blinded his reason, so that he smote the wind.
I do not find myself improving in Persian; indeed I take no pains to speak it well, not perceiving it to be of much consequence. India is the land, where we can act at present with most effect. It is true that the Persians are more susceptible, but the terrors of an inquisition are always hanging over them. I can now conceive no greater happiness, than to be settled for life in India, superintending native schools, as we did at Patna and Chunar. To preach so as to be readily understood by the poor, is a difficulty that appears to me almost insuperable.
However, why should we despair? If I live to see India again, I shall set to, and learn Hindee in order to preach. The day may come, when even our word may be with the Holy Ghost and with power. It is now almost a year since I left Cawnpore, and my journey is but beginning: when shall I ever get back again? I am often tempted to get away from this prison, but again I recollect, that some years hence, I shall say, When I was at Shiraz, why did not I get the New Testament done? What difference would a few months have made? In August I passed some days at a vineyard, about a parasang from the city, where my host pitched a tent for me; but it was so cold at night, that I was glad to get back to the city again. Though I occupy a room in his house, I provide for myself. Victuals are cheap enough, especially fruit; the grapes, pears, and water-melons are delicious; indeed, such a country for fruit I had no conception of. I have a fine horse, which I bought for less than a hun- yred rupees, on which I ride every morning round the walls. My vain servant, Zachariah, anxious that his master should appear like an ameer, furnished him, i. e. the horse, with a waddle, or rather a pillion, which fairly covers his whole back; it has all the colors of the rainbow; but yellow is predominant, and from it hang down four large tassels, also yellow. But all my finery does not defend me from the boys. Some cry out, Ho, Russ; others cry out, Feringee! One day a brickbat was flung at me, and hit me on the hip with such force, that I felt it quite a providential escape. Most of the day I am about the translation, sometimes at a leisure hour trying at Isaiah, in order to get help from the Persian Jews. My Hebrew reveries have quite disappeared, merely for want of leisure. I forgot to say, that I have been to visit the ruins of Persepolis; but this, with many other things, must be reserved for a hot afternoon at Cawnpore.
What would I give for a few lines from you, to say how the men come on, and whether their numbers are increasing,
whether you meet the S ’s at the evening repast, as when
I was there? My kindest love to them, your sister, and all that love us in the truth. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, and with your faithful and affectionate brother.
H. MARTYN.
Rev. D. CORRIE.
SHIRAZ, October 21, 1811.
MY DEAREST LYDIA,
* * It is, I think, about a
month since I wrote to you, and so little has occurred since, that I find scarcely anything in my journal, and nothing worth transcribing. This state of inactivity is becoming very irksome to me. I cannot get these Persians to work, and while they are idle, I am sitting here to no purpose. Sabat’s laziness used to provoke me excessively; but Persians I find are as torpid as Arabs, when their salary does not depend on their exertions; and both very inferior to the feeble Indian, whom they affect to despise. My translator comes about sunrise, corrects a little, and is off, and I see no more of him for the day. Meanwhile I sit fretting, or should do so, as I did at first, were it not for a blessed employment, which so beguiles the tediousness of the day, that I hardly perceive it passing. It is the study of the Psalms in the Hebrew. I have long had it in contemplation, in the assurance, from the number of flat and obscure passages that occur in the translations, that the original has not been hitherto perfectly understood. I am delighted to find, that many of the most unmeaning verses in the version turn out, on close examination, to contain a direct reference to the Lord our Saviour. The testimony of Jesus is indeed the spirit of prophecy. He is never lost sight of. Let them touch what subject they will, they must always let fall something about him. Such should we be, looking always to him. I have often attempted the 84th Psalm, endeared to me on many accounts, as you know, but have not yet succeeded. The glorious 16th Psalm I hope I have mastered. I write with the ardor of a student, communicating his discoveries, and describing his difficulties to a fellow -student.
I think of you incessantly, too much, I fear, sometimes; yet the recollection of you is generally attended with an exercise of resignation to his will. In prayer I often feel what you described five years ago as having felt, — a particular pleasure in viewing you as with me before the Lord, and entreating our common Father to bless both his children. When I sit and muse, my spirit flies away to you, and attends you at Gurlyn, Penzance, Plymouth Dock, and sometimes with your brother in London. If you acknowledge a kindred feeling still, we are not separated; our spirits have met and blended. I still continue without intelligence from India; since last January I have heard nothing of any one person whom I love. My consolation is, that the Lord has you all under his care, and is carrying on his work in the world by your means, and that when I emerge, I shall find that some progress i-s made in India especially, the country I now regard as my own. Persia is, in many respects, a field ripe for the harvest. Vast numbers secretly hate and despise the superstition imposed on them, and as many of them as have heard the gospel approve it; but they dare not hazard their lives for the name of the Lord Jesus.
Though I have complained above of the inactivity of my translator, I have reason to bless the Lord that he thus supplies Gibeonites for the help of his true Israel. They are employed in a work, of the importance of which they are unconscious, and are making provision for future Persian saints, whose time is, I suppose, now near. Roll back, ye crowded years, your thick array! Let the long, long period of darkness and sin at last give way to the brighter hours of light and liberty, which wait on the wings of the sun of righteousness. Perhaps we witness the dawn of the day of glory: and if not, the desire that we feel, that Jesus may be glorified, and the nations acknowledge his sway, is the earnest of the Spirit, that when he shall appear, we shall also appear with him in glory. Kind love to all the saints who are waiting his coming.
Your’s with true affection,
My ever dearest Lydia.
H. MARTYN.
It is now determined that we leave Shiraz in a week, and as the road through Persia is impassable through the commotions, which are always disturbing some part or other of this unhappy country, I must go back to Bushire.
OCT. 27-29. Finished Psalm xii. Reading the 5th of St. Matthew to Zachariah my servant. Felt awfully convinced of guilt; how fearlessly do I give way to causeless anger, speaking contemptuously of men, as if I had never read this chapter! The Lord deliver me from all my wickedness, and write his holy law upon my heart, that I may walk circumspectly before him all the remaining days of my life!
Nov. 1. Everything was prepared for our journey to Bag dad by the Persian Gulf; and a large party of Shiraz ladies, chiefly of Mirza Seid Ali’s family, had determined to accompany us; partly from a wish to visit the tombs, and partly to have the company of their relations a little longer. But a letter arriving, with the intelligence that Bagdad was all in confusion, our kafila separated, and I resolved to go on through Persia to Armenia, and so to Syria. But the season was too far advanced for me to think of traversing the regions of Caucasus just then; so I made up my mind to winter at Shiraz.
SHIRAZ, December 12, 1811
DEAREST BROTHER,
Your letters of January 28 and April 22 have just reached me. After being a whole year without any tidings of you, you may conceive how much they have tended to revive my spirits. Indeed I know not how to be sufficiently thankful to our God and Father for giving me a brother, who is indeed a brother to my soul, and thus follows me with affectionate prayers wherever I go, and more than supplies my place to the precious flock, over whom the Holy Ghost hath made us overseers. There is only one thing in your letters, that makes me uneasy; and that is, the oppression you complain of in the hot weather. As you will have to pass anothei hot season at Cawnpore, and I do not know how many more, I must again urge you to spare yourself. I am endeavoring to learn the true use of time in a new way, by placing my self in idea twenty or thirty years in advance, and then considering how I ought to have managed twenty or thirty years ago. In racing violently for a year or two, and then breaking down? In this way I have reasoned myself into contentment, about staying so long at Shiraz. I thought at first, what will the government in India think of my being away so long, or what will my friends think? Shall I not appear to all a wandering shepherd, leaving the flock, and running about for my own pleasure? But placing myself twenty years on in time, I say, why could I not stay at Shiraz long enough to get a New Testament done there, even if I had been& detained there on that account three or six years? What work of equal importance can ever come from me? So that now I am resolved to wait here till the New Testament is finished, though I incur the displeasure of Government, or even be dismissed the service. I have been many limes on the eve of my departure, as my translator promised to accompany me to Bagdad; but that city being in great confusion, he is afraid to trust himself there; so I resolved to go westward through the north of Persia, but found it impossible, on account of the snow which blocks up the roads in winter, to proceed till spring. Here I am, therefore, for three months more; our Testament will be finished, please God, in six weeks. I go on as usual, riding round the walls in the morning, and singing hymns at night over my milk and water, for tea I have none, though I much want it. I am with you in spirit almost every evening, and feel a bliss I cannot describe, in being one with the dear saints of God all over the earth, through one Lord and one spirit.
They continued throwing stones at me every day, till happening one day to tell Jaffier Ali Khan, my host, how one as big as my fist had hit me in the back, he wrote to the Go vernor, who sent an order to all the gates, that if any one insulted me, he should be bastinadoed, and the next day came himself in state to pay me a visit. These measures have had the desired effect; they now call me the Feringee Nabob, and very civilly offer me the Calean; but indeed the Persian commonality are very brutes; the Soofies declare themselves unable to account for the fierceness of their countrymen, except it be from the influence of Islam. After speaking in my praise, one of them added, “and there are the Hindoos too, (who have brought the guns,) when I saw their gentleness, I was quite charmed with them; but as for our Iranees, they delight in nothing but tormenting their fellow-creatures.” These Soofies are quite the methodists of the East. They delight in everything Christian, except in being exclusive. They consider that all will finally return to God, from whom they emanated, or rather of whom they are only different forms. The doctrine of the Trinity they admired, but not the atonement; because the Mahommedans, they say, consider Iman Hosyn as also crucified for the sins of men: and to everything Mahommedan they have a particular aversion. Yet, withal, they conform externally. From these, however, you will perceive the first Persian church will be formed, judging after the manner of men. The employment of my leisure hours is translating the Psalms into Persian. What will poor Fitrut do, when he gets to the poetical books? Job, I hope, you have let him pass over. The Books of Solomon are also in a very sorry, condition in the English. The Prophets are all much easier, and consequently better done. I hear there is a man at Yezid, that has fallen into the same way of thinking as my self about the letters, and professes to have found out all the arts and sciences from them. I should be glad to compare notes with him. It is now time for me to bid you good night. We have had ice on the pools some time, but no snow yet. They build their houses without chimneys, so if we want a fire, we must take the smoke along with it. I prefer wrapping myself in my sheepskin.
Your accounts of the progress of the kingdom of God
among you are truly refreshing. Tell dear H and the
men of both regiments, that I salute them much in the Lord, and make mention of them in my prayers. May I continue to hear thus of their state, and if I am spared to see them again, may we make it evident, that we have grown in grace!
Affectionate remembrances to your sister and S; I hope
they continue to prosecute their labors of love. Remember me to the people of Cawnpore who inquire, &c. Why have
not I mentioned Col. P? It is not because he is not in
my heart, for there is hardly a man in the world, whom I love and honor more. My most Christian salutations to him.
Your’s affectionately,
H. MARTYN.
To the Rev. D. CORRIE.
JANUARY 1-8, 1812. Spared by mercy to see the beginning of another year. The last has been in some respects a memorable year; transported in safety to Shiraz, I have been led by the particular providence of God to undertake a work, the idea of which never entered my mind till my arrival here, but which has gone on without material interruption, and is now nearly finished. To all appearance, the present year will be more perilous than any I have seen; but if I live to complete the Persian New Testament, my life after that will be of less importance. But whether life or death be mine, may Christ be magnified in me! If he has work for me to do, I cannot die.
MAY 12. A little before sunset I left the city, and at ten at night the cafila started. Here ended my stay at Shiraz.
JULY 9, TEBRIZ. Made an extraordinary effort, and, as a Tartar was going off instantly to Constantinople, wrote letters to Mr. Grant for permission to come to England, and to Mr. Simeon and Lydia, informing them of it, but I have scarcely the remotest expectation of seeing it, except by looking at the Almighty power of God. Dined at night at the Ambassador’s, who said, he was determined to give every possible eclat to my book, by presenting it himself to the king. My fever never ceased to rage till the 21st, during all which time every effort was made to subdue it, till I had lost all my strength, and almost all my reason. They now administer bark, and it may please God to bless the tonics; but I seem too far gone, and can only say, “having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.”
TEBKIZ, July 12, 1812.
MY DEAREST LYDIA,
I have only time to say that I have received your letter of February 14. Shall I pain your heart by adding, that I am in such a state of sickness and pain, that I can hardly write to you! Let me rather observe, to obviate the gloomy apprehension my letters to Mr. Grant and Mr. Simeon may excite, that I am likely soon to be delivered from my fever. Whether I shall gain strength enough to go on, rests on our heavenly Father, in whose hands are all my times. Oh, his precious grace! His eternal unchanging love in Christ to my soul never appeared more clear, more sweet, more strong. I ought to inform you, that in consequence of the state to which I am reduced by travelling so far over-lard without having half accomplished my journey, and the consequent impossibility of returning to India the same way, I have applied for leave to come on furlough to England. Perhaps you will be gratified by this intelligence; but oh, my dear Lydia, I must faithfully tell you, that the probability of my reaching England alive, is but small; and this I say, that your expectations of seeing me again may be moderate, as mine are of seeing you. Why have you not written more about yourself? However, I am thankful for knowing that you are alive and well. Kindest love to all the saints you usually mention.
Your’s ever most faithfully and affectionately,
H. MARTYN.
TEBRIZ, July 12, 1812.
MY DEAREST FRIEND AND BROTHER,
The Tartar courier for Constantinople, who has been delayed some days on our account, being to be despatched instantly, my little strength also being nearly exhausted by writing to Mr. Grant a letter to be laid before the court, — I have only to notice some of the particulars of your letter of February of this year. It is not now before me, neither have I strength to search for it among my papers; but from the frequent attentive perusals I gave it during my intervals of ease, I do not imagine that any of it has escaped my memory. At present I am in a high fever, and cannot properly recollect myself. I shall ever love and be grateful to Mr. Thornton for his kind attention to my family.
The increase of godly young men is precious news. If I sink into the grave in India, my place will be supplied an hundred-fold. You will learn from Mr. Grant, that I have applied for leave to come to England on furlough; a measure you will disapprove; but you would not, were you to see the pitiable condition to which I am reduced, and knew what it is to traverse the continent of Asia in the destitute state in which I am. If you wish not to see me, I can say that I think it most probable that you will not; the way before me being not better than that passed over, which has nearly killed me.
I would not pain your heart, my dear brother; but we who are in Jesus have the privilege of viewing life and death as nearly the same, since both are one; and I thank a gracious Lord, that sickness never came at a time when I was more free from apparent reasons for living. Nothing seemingly remains for me to do, but to fol low the rest of my family to the tomb. Let not the book written against Mahommedanism be published, till approved in India. A European, who has not lived amongst them, cannot imagine how differently they see, imagine, reason, object, from what we do. This I had full opportunity of observing during my eleven months residence at Shiraz. During that time I wras engaged in a written controversy with one of the most learned and temperate doctors there. He began. I replied what was unanswerable; then I subjoined a second more direct attack on the glaring absurdities of Mahommedanism, with a statement of the nature and evidences of Christianity. The Soofies then as well as himself desired a demonstration from the very beginning, of the truth of any revelation. As this third treatise contained an examination of the doctrine of the Soofies, and pointed out that their object was attainable by the Gospel, and by that only, it was read with interest, and convinced many. There is not a single Europeanism in the whole that I know of, as my friend and interpreter would not write anything that he could not perfectly comprehend. But I am exhausted; pray for me, beloved brother, and believe that I am, as long as life lection lasts,
Yours, affectionately
H. MARTYN.
To the Rev. C. SIMEON.
TBBRIZ, August 8.
MY DEAREST BROTHER AND FRIEND,
Ever since I wrote, about a month I believe, I have been lying upon the bed of sickness for twenty days or more; the fever raged with great violence, and for a long time every species of medicine was tried in vain. After I had given up every hope of recovery, it pleased God to abate the fever; but incessant head-aches succeeded, which allowed me no rest day or night. I was reduced still lower, and am now a mere skeleton; but as they are now less frequent, I suppose it to be the will of God, that I should be raised up to life ao-ain. I am now sitting in my chair, and wrote the will with a strong hand; but as you see, I cannot write so now. Kindest love to Mr. John Thornton, for whose temporal and spiritual prosperity I daily pray.
‘Your ever affectionate friend and brother,
H. MARTYN.
To the Rev. C. SIMEON.
AUGUST 29. A day much to be remembered for the remarkable recovery of strength, with which it pleased God to favor me. I immediately began to gird up my loins, and prepare myself for my journey.
AUG. 21-31. Making preparations for my journey to Constantinople, a route recommended to me by Sir Gore as safer, and one in which he could give me letters of recommendation to two Turkish governors. With such advantages held forth, I could not but adopt this plan; and the delightful thought of being brought to the borders of Europe without sustaining any injury, contributed more than anything else, I believe, to restore my health and spirits. Sir Gore, wishing me not to travel in the same unprotected way that I had done, procured from the prince a mihmander for me, together with an order for the use of Chappar horses all the way to Erivan.
These post-horses, I was told, were nothing else than the beasts the prince’s servants levy on every village; on which I determined not to use them, and began to look out for a muleteer and cafila.
TEBRIZ, August 28, 1812.
MY DEAREST LYDIA,
I wrote to you last in great disorder. My fever had approached nearly to delirium, and my debility was so great, that it seemed impossible I could withstand the power of disease many days.
Sabat, about whom you inquire so regularly, I have heard nothing of this long time. My friends in India have long since given me up as lost or gone out of reach, and if they wrote, they would probably not mention him, as he is far from being a favorite with any of them., who is him self of an impatient temper, cannot tolerate him; indeed I am pronounced to be the only man in Bengal, who could have lived with him so long. He is, to be sure, the most tormenting creature I ever yet chanced to deal with — peevish, proud, suspicious, greedy; he used to give daily more and more distressing proof of his never having received the saving grace of God. But of this you will say nothing; while his interesting story is yet fresh in the memory of people, his failings had better not be mentioned. The poor Arab wrote me a querulous epistle from Calcutta, complaining that no one took notice of him, now that I was gone; and then he proceeds to abuse his best friends. I have not yet written to reprove him for his unchristian sentiments; and when I do, I know it will be to no purpose, after all the private lectures I have given him. My course from Constantinople is so uncertain, that I hardly know where to desire you to direct to me; I believe Malta is the only place, for there I must stop in my way home. Soon we shall have occasion for pen and ink no more; but I trust I shall shortly see thee face to face. Love to all the saints.
Believe me to be yours ever,
most faithfully and affectionately,
H. MARTYN.
[The above appears to have been the last letter written by Mr. Martyn. On the second of September, he set out for Constantinople. His Journal, from that date, is printed entire in the Memoir. The last entry was made at Tocat, on the sixth of October; on the sixteenth of the same month he entered into rest.l