Letters, 1813
Letten — To the Itev. T. Thomason, on the death of Heniy Maityn — Diffufflon of Chnstianity in India — Death of Mr. Robinson of Leicester — -Tablet in memory of Martyn Season of May in London — Relimous meetings — First stone of the Jews’ Chapel — Conversion of two wealthy Jews — Marty n’s Papers — Mr. Sargent his Biographer — Retirement at Sandgate — Death of Mr. Venn — Presentation to Clapham — Faithful discharge of his Trust — Bible Society at Oxford — Pleasant party aftarwaids — Dr. Ryder, Dean of Wells — Meeting at Shelford — Catechizing — The controversy with Dr. Mamh — Dr. Milner — Importance of accurate Translations — On religious depression.
181S.
CORRESPONDENCE.
To the Rev. T. Thomason.
“Feb. 12, 1813.
“My beloved friend and Brother, —
“How will you be distressed to hear the afflictive intelligence which r have to communicate, respecting our beloved and honored brother, Mr. Martyn I The day before yesterday a letter arrived from Mr. Isaac Morier at Constantinople, announcing that on the 16th of October (or thereabouts) our beloved brother entered into the realms of glory, and rested for ever in the bosom of his God. ....
“But what’ an event it is! How calamitous to his friends, to India, and to the world I Methinks I hear. God say, *Be still, and know that I am God.’ Our rebellious spirits are ready to rise, and to charge God foolishly; but it becomes us, like Aaron, to hold our peace. I had been forming plans in my mind with a view to the restoration of his health in England, and should now have been able to carry into execution whatever might have been judged expedient: but I am denied the joy of ministering to him.”
To the Rev. T, Thomason.
“April 2, 1813.
My very dear Friend and Brother, —
*’ On the subject of facilitating the diffusion of Christian light in India, there are going to be petitions from all quarters, vast opposition is made to it: Lord Castlereagh is adverse to it: examinations are making in relation to it (as well as to the trade of India) at the bar of the House of Commons: Mr. Hastings,^
Lord Teimouth, and others have given their evidence: Hastings is very adverse..;..
‘’ Lord Castlereaffh’s plan is to isend out a bishop and three archdeacons: but whether it will be approved in Parliament I cannot tell
We are making collections for Mr. Martyn’s brother’s family, who in him have lost their main support. We have got about £400, ‘and Mr. Thornton has sent you papers fpr the purpose of getting them some aid in India. On this account, by the advice of Mr. Wilberforce, I have not yet set on foot a subscription for Mrs. Brown. It was thought that both coming precisely at the same moment would injure both, and that Mrs. B.’s should be deferred till it was seen what the East India Company would do for her: when the proper time comes, I shall feel happy In exerting myself for her.
‘* Whilst death has been accomplishing its work with you it has not been idle amongst us. You will be grieved to hear that that honored servant of God, Mr. Robinson of Leicester, died suddenly about a week ago. He had been repeatedly attacked with a paralysis; and the last stroke removed him in a moment. Dr. Buchanan also is very poorly, and has. lost his second wife. Everything says to us, * fee ye also ready.’
“I am doubtful whether some marble inscription should not be put up in St. John’s College Chapel for our beloved Martyn. If it be approved, I think I shall get it done. But respecting the.
I)fopriety of such a step at Dinapore and at Cawnpore, I can have ittie doubt. You, however, will judge and act in this as you see fit. I had thought of putting one in Trinity Church.”*
This WM afterwardi done: the tablet b in the chaneel, on the sooth wall, and bean the fiiUowing inscription:
, This Tablet
is erecied to the Memory of
The Rev. HENRY MARTYN, B.D.,
Fellow of St John’s College,
and two years Curate of this Parish.
He gained by his talents the highest Academical honors;
but counting all loss for Christ,
he left his Native Country, and went into the East,
as a Chaplain of the Hon. East India Company.
Inhere, having fidthfully done the work of an Evangelist,
in preachmg the Gospel of a Crucified Redeemer,
in translatmg the Holy Scriptures into the Oriental Langua(es,
and in derondUnff the Christian Faith in the heart of Persia
against the united talents of the most learned Mahonietans,
he died at Tokat on the 16th of October, 1813,
in the 31st year of his age.
The chief monuments which he left of his piety and talents are
Translations of the New Testament
into the Hindostanee and Persian Lanffuases;
and * by these he, being dead, yet speaketn.’
* Projf ye the Lard qfihe harvutf
OuU lit wU BtniforOi labortn igto Hit harveatJ
208 THE RELIGIOUa MESTIN68. [cHAP. XY.
To the Rev. T. Thomabon.
<<Ma7l6, 1813.
My very dear Friend and Brother, —
“There have been about 1600 petitions delivered to desire that some opportunity pnay be afforded to pious persons to diffuse the light of Christianity in India: but almost all feel the necessity of limiting it to persons recommended by some large society, and approved by the government at home.
The whole Christian world seems stirred up, almost as you would expect it to be in the Millennium. You remember the second week in May used to be a kind of sacred season for the London Missionary Society: now the first week also is holy and devoted to many different objects; all of which I have just attended. ’
Tuesday. — * The Society for Missions to Africa and the East,’ * together with ‘The African Institution.’ Mr. Deal try preached — and such a sermon, as to electrify the whole congregation. It was printed instantly, in order to be circulated among the members of both houses of Parliament. It is on the subject of evangelizing India.
“Wednesday. — * The Bible Society.’ Two of the royal dukes attended (Kent and Sussex,) and the Duke of York would, if he had been able.
Thursday. — Two societies. That for * the Conversion of the Jews,’ and The Prayer Book and Homily Society.’
“Friday. — * The Jews’ Society’ Report In the view of these things we are constrained to say, What hath God wrought!’
“1 have a letter this day from Mr. Fry, saying that he expects the Bishop’ of London to consecrate the new chapel which is building for the ‘Jews’ Society’ at Bethnal Green; and that the Archbishop of Canterbury has expressed regret at not having given them his countenance before. For this last society I am much interested, being one of the trustees for the chapel. The laying of the first stone about three weeks ago was a most interesting scene. The Duke of Kent laid it; and Lord Erskine, Lord Dundas, Mr. Wilberforce, &c., assisted with a silver trowel. We hope it will be ready in about fifteen months: other buildings will afterwards be added, for the lodging and employing both the children that have been baptized, and the adults that want employment.
“A rich Jew on the Continent has been converted; and he is preaching among his brethren. He is a merchant who has five different concerns in five different cities, and from ten to twelve clerks in every one. With such influence, we cannoi but hope that he may lead many to a consideration of the subject. As for, the work of conversion, we know to whom that exclusively belongs, even though Paul should plant, or Apollos water.’ This day brings me timngs of another rich Jew embracing the Christian
faith. O, that that whole nation might remember themselves, and turn unto the Lord!
In my last letter I mentioned the melancholy tidings of our beloved brother Martyn’s death. I told you also of his Persian Testament being finished; and his controversy with the Mahometans bein consigned to my care though it has not yet arrived,) in order that it may b published jn India. I shall (b. v.) act in this matter under the advice of Lord Teignmouth. The utmost care has been taken to secure the safe arrival of his writings. A life of him will be written by my dear friend Mr. Sargent (a man well qualified for the office,) and I am collecting all possible mate* rials from England and Persia; and to you I look (with Mr. Corrie) to send me materials from India; Mrs. Young will furnish me with some. We*shall proceed slowly; that it may be a work worthy of our beloved friend’s character. How deeply will you be erieved, as will multitudes of others in India, at such a loss! Truly, it is a breach that will not readily be healed: but Grod has ’ the residue of the Spirit;’ and He can make even this tend to the furtherance of the Gospel.
My own health, through the goodness of Gody is good; my voice tolerably strong; I can preach once with ease, and twice with difficulty: twice, if continued for any time, would bring me down. I am going to rest for three months in the summer: your dear mother and Esther are going with me to the sea-side, where we hope to spend a profitable time in quiet retirement. If this is wrong the fault is yours. You remember your parting charge, * Son, behold thy mother !* — so that if we obey your commands, you must bear all the blame. Truly, I find her to be a mother to me, nor do I believe it possible for a human being to manifest a maternal spirit to a greater extent towards her own oiTspring, than she does towards me. I pray God I may be permittee! in my turn to minister in some measure to her happiness
“Mrs. James has been at the point of death. She was twenty-eight days without taking half an ounce of solid food, or half a pint otliquid in the whole time. But such a state of soul I have rarely seen. God was with her of a truth; and Mr. Okes tbld me, that nothing but the surprising placidity of her mind had kept her from death; since without it sne could not possibly have survived. These are sweet testimonies to the truth of our word, and to the power and grace of Christ Blessed be (rod for them!”
To the Rev. T. Thomason.
“July 16, 1813, Saadgate, nMr Folkitone.
My very dear Friend and Brother, — *
“Sandgate! Sandgate! What can have carried him there? Whom is he visiting there? or whom has he with him
310 BS8T AT THE 8EA-8IDB. [cHAP. XV.
there? I know not how many notes of admiration you will use, when I tell you that I am here with your dear mother and Esther. Two months ago I was rather sinking, and determined to lay by for the summer: but within that space I have astonishingly risen again, notwithstanding the continuance of my work on a small scale, owin under God to my having taken several excursions (as you will hear presently) between the Sabbaths. This amendment miht almost have led me to say, Now 1 need not lay by at all;’ but it has rather induced me to argue thus; * If I am so much better from the change of air notwithstanding my work, what may I not hope for, if I carry into execution my projected plan?’ My view has been to see no human being, and to be silent as death for the space of three months. But how could this be effected without the society of some friend who could read to me, and relieve the tedium of entire solitude T It was judged that an excursion to the sea would be conducive to the health, and to the comfort too, both of your mother and Esther, and accordingly we have united in the plan, and fixed our residence at Sandgate, where the Wilberforces pent the last summer, and are to spend this.
“The circumstances that have occurred within these three weeks are too important to pass over in silence. On the 6th of this month we had fixed to set out on our journey, and five days previous to it the Lord was pleased to remove into the eternal world our dear brother in the Lord, the first spiritual acquaintance that I had in the world, Mr. Venn. For about three months be gradually sank, and at last was quite given over about three weeks before his death. At that time I went up to town to settle Mrs. Brown and her family; and availed myself of that opportunity to visit my dying friend. Thrice I enjoyed the high privilege of praying with him, on all of which occasions his whole family was summoned together. The first of these times he said to me, * Do not pray, but render praise and thanks: let it all be praise.’ The last time he continued praying aloud after I had finished, and commended his children, servants, parish, &c., to God, in a very de Vout and heavenly manner. When I took leave of him, I did not expect to see him any more; but in about ten days he was tapped and hopes were entertained that he might live for many months; these however soon vanished, and he entered into his rest on the 1st of July.
“I now became one of the acting trustees (having been originally nominated a provisional one) to the livings of the late Mr. Thornton of Clapham. I instantly wrote to my co-trustees to fix their eyes on God, to whom alone we should look in such an important matter. My mind was at once made up to act for the
glory of God, and for that alone; I instantly called on Mr.
secured his co-operation, and appointed Mr. Dealtry, who was desired by all the parish, and who is the fittest person that can be
found for the situation. For months together he had preached ai Clapham in Mr. Venn’s stead; and yesterday I sent him the presentation to the living. I have the loy of finding my conduct most fully approved. I felt that I might, if I pleased, decline to act; but, if I acted, I had no option; I must do simply and solely what I believed would be most acceptable to God, and I adore his name that this important matter is brought to so happy a conclusion.* It was but a week before that I went with Dr. Jowett and Mr. Preston to Oxford, for the establishment of a Bible Society there for the county. The rtatter went off pretty well, the three secretaries being there. Considerable interest was occasioned
by Mr., M. P. for Oxford, speaking for half an hour against
the use of the words, * without note or comment.’ He conceived it to be a public reflection upon all commentators, and to be a withholding of necessary instruction from the poor. He was hissed a good deal, but went on undaunted. After he had done, Mr. Owen got up and answered him, in a very complete and eloquent mann,er. Here was true eloquence. The set speeches of Mr. Owen and Mr. Hughes savored too much of the lamp; but this came from the heart. In point of effect, the meeting was very, very far below that of Cambridge; but upon paper it is far, very far above us; for even at the first, they had six masters and four professors to countenance them, and several of the nobility; and now they have the Duke of Marlborough (lord Keutenant,) and Lord Grenville (the chancellor,) with a host of othef s; and Tiow they have altered the title of their society to the * Oxford and Oxfordshire.’ This was owing to a curious circumstance, which will please you. There was an ordinary, at which the principal promoters of the measure dined. After dinner the chairman drank to the prosperity of the two Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. It was now expected, that one of us Cantabs 8lK>uld ffet up and return thanks. Dr. Jowett on account of the heat had left the room, and there remained only Mr. Preston and
AmoDgit other testimonies to his judicious choice and hcJy fidelity in this delicate matter, Mr. Simeon had the satisfikction of receiTing the following remarks from two distinguished friendsy who were peculiarly qualified to fbnn a correct judgment on the
“Julys, 1813. “The parish to a man are lonng and praying for Dealtry: and I believe, if they were called on to express thieir wishes, there wouM not be a aissenting voice among old or young, rich or poor, male or female; but all would unite in praying for his appointment Ho has gained their hearts in a way which is quite surprismg.”
“July 13, 1813. “I cannot close this letter without placing on paper the acknowledgment, which I before expressed in your presence, of our obligations to ^ovt — obligations, as 1 ^tmst, which we never shall forget, for the integrity and wisdom with which ;rou appear to us to have acted in the case of the Livins of Clapham. Our thanks, mdeea, are chiefly due to Him, who has the power over all hearts, and is the director of all events; but the expression of subordinate gratitude, which I beg to offer you, will, I am sure, be aeceptable in His sight.”
212 HON. DR. RTDEE. [cHAP. XV.
myself. Message after message was sent to me by Mr. Owen; but I would not rise: and when all the company were looking for something from me, I said, I could not think of rising in behsuf of my University, unless others did in behalf of Oxford. Then, to force me up, Mr. Wilson got up and made a speech; after which I could no longer decline. I therefore began with saying, that as they, the chairman and Mr. Wilson, had forced me to speak, I would wreak my vengeance upon them. Accordingly, in a jocose way, I began with the chairman, and found fault with a toast he had given, viz. the Oxfordshire Bible Society. I observed that Oxford was the place from whence wisdom and knowledge emanated to the ends of the earth — that the Scriptures contained all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge — .... and that I thought the University should have the honor of sending forth that which was sacred, as well as that which was profane — and that 1 hoped the next time a toast was given on that subject, it would be the Oxford and Oxfordshire Bible Society. This gave a very interesting turn to the meeting, for the chairman, with equal good humor, got up and defended himself, showing that the county had done everything, and the University nothing: that the electric fluid had collected all the county over, but had shot over the University, without touching one of its pinnacles; and that if they would now exert themselves, he would admit them to the firm; but they should hold their place as junior partners, and the firm should stand, The Oxfordshire and Oxford Bible Society. Thus we had our jokes, which greatly enlivened the party; and I thought no more of it; but within four days afterwards, a public “meeting was called, and the name which I had proposed was given to it; a name which is of amazing importance in the eyes of the world. It is very pleasant to see from what little incidents important things frequently arise.
I mentioned above that the Bible Society had done great things for Mr. Dealtry; and I will now mention another, who by means of it has obtained a rich blessing to his soul; it is the Hon. Dr. Ryder, brother to Lord Harrowby, and Dean of Wells. He will be most probably the next bishop. He visited me at Cambridge, and preached for me on Commencement Sunday, a most excellent sermon; and he seems determined to give himself up wholly to the Lord. He applied to me also for a curate; and has taken one of my recommendation. How delightful is it to see dignitaries in our Church thus coming forward, and disciples springing up in ‘Csssar’s household.’
“The week previous to our journey was the SMford meeting. It had been fixed for the first week of Mr. Preston’s holidays instead of the last, on account of my journey; it being inexpedient to drag your mother and myself from the extremity of Kent, if we could manage without Circumstances intervened to rob us of a great number of our party. The Edwards, Hankinsons
Steinkopfis, Mrs. Whincop, -Mr. Michell, Mr. and Miss Clarke, Mr. Clarkson, Mr. Prebendary King, (King of Trinity,) and another most blessed clergyman, a Mr. Marks, who is Mr. Michell’s curate, and acts quite as a missionary at Waterbeach, near Cambridge; but, notwithstanding the loss of these thirteen, we had a goodly company of twenty-two; and a very blessed season
we h.ad together
“Our confirmatiool was a profitable season to my young people. I instructed them twice a week in the chancel, and had a public catechizing and instruction on the Sunday afternoons. On the evening of the confirmation I preached to all who had been confirmed. I took the same text as you had done, and told them that it was to be considered as a second part of your sermon. Yours L had given to them at the beginning, (for there were about seventy of them left in Mrs. Parishes hands,) and it was delightful to me to be a follower of one v so revered by them, and so beloved by me. Ever, ever yours.”
To Rev. T. Thomason.
Sandgato, Aug. 16, 1S13.
My dearest Friend and Brother —
“Your critique on my answer to Mi|rsh I perfectly approve. Yansittart is doubtless a pattern for controversialists: ne IS a razor — I am a hatchet But what will you say to Milner? He is like one of those immense hammers moved by steam-engines for the hammering of anchors. I sent one to you the moment it came out He has actually crushed his adversary to atoms. Of all the men in Britain that have done good to the Bible Society, there is scarcely one, except the secretaries, that can vie with Dr. Marsh. In doing all that man can do against it, he has advanced it a thousand times more than if he had written in its favor.
*’ I am very much struck with Mr. Ellerton’s communication respecting schools and translations. It shows us that the work of conversion must be very gradual amongst you, unless God pour out his Spirit in a most extraordinary measure upbn you: and I cannot but approve in the highest degree what he says of one good translation in preference to forty that are crude and bad. I have always thought that the missionaries were too much warped by a desire to appear great benefactors to India; and when I heard of the fire at Serampore, I could not but think that God designed to teach them by it some valuable lessons. What a joy would it be to my soul, to hear from themselves some acknowledgment of their error in this respect 1 But that is too much to expect from such proud creatures as we are.
‘As for Mr. E. himself, I should greatly rejoice to hear that he had enjoyed a little of your company. He seems to be in a state greatly needing your sympathy and advice. From what I
214 ON KSLIOIOUS DSPESSSION. [cHAP. XV.
have seen in the Christian world, I should be ready to judge thai his morbid state of mind originates in an excess of worldly care. He has felt his spirits oppressed with the business he has undertaken; and having a tender conscience, he has imputed to a want of spiritual life, the languor that has proceeded from a defect of animal spirits and of physical strength. This is a process, which those who experience it scarcely ever understand; but we, who stand by and make our observations in a more dispassionate manner, can discern it clearly. ...
*’ I hope to get back to Cambridge about the 10th of October, it has been indeed, a Ion? vacation; and I hope I am essentially stronger than I was; but I never expect to be able to preach twice in a day for a continuance. I fear I must again suspend my family prayer when I come to have my public duties: for the family prayer alone is, even in my present renewe4 state, quite as much as I can go through with prudence.’^