CHAPTER XV. LETTERS TO THE REV. T. THOMASON, ON THE DEATH OF HENRY "How will you be distressed to hear the afflictive intelligence which I have to communicate, respecting our beloved and honoured brother, Mr. Martyn! 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! 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." "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 Teignmouth, and others, have given their evidence, Hastings is very adverse.... "Lord Castlereagh's plan is to send 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 for 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 honoured 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. Every thing says to us, 'Be 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 propriety of such a step at Dinapore and at Cawnpore, I can have little doubt. You, however, will judge and act in this as you see fit. I had thought of putting one in Trinity Church*.' * This was afterwards done: the Tablet is in the Chancel, on the South Wall, and bears the following inscription: "THIS TABLET is erected to the Memory of Fellow of St. John's College, and two years Curate of this Parish. He gained by his talents the highest Academical honours; 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. There, having faithfully done the work of an Evangelist, in preaching the Gospel of a Crucified Redeemer, in translating the Holy Scriptures into the Oriental Languages, and in defending the Christian Faith in the heart of Persia against the united talents of the most learned Mahometans, he died at Tokat on the 16th of October, 1812, 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 Languages; and by these he, being dead, yet speaketh.' 'Pray ye the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest. To the Rev. T. THOMASON. 66 May 16, 1813. "My very dear friend and Brother, "There have been, about 1500 petitions delivered, to desire that some opportunity may 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. 66 Tuesday. The Society for Missions to Africa and the East,' together with 'The African Institution.' Mr. Dealtry 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!' "I have a letter this day from Mr. Fry, saying that he expects the Bishop of London to conse crate 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 cannot 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 tidings 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 being consigned to my care (though it is not yet arrived), in order that it may be published in India. I shall (D. 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 |