_June 19._--Rose in gloom, but that was soon dissipated by
consideration and prayer. Began after breakfast for the first
time with a moonshi, a Cashmerian Brahmin, with whom I was much
pleased. In the boat, back to Serampore, learning roots.
Officiated at evening worship. Walked at night with Marshman and
Mr. Brown to the bazaar held at this time of the year, for the
use of the people assembling at Juggernaut. The booth or
carriage was fifty feet high, in appearance a wooden temple,
with rows of wheels through the centre of it. By the side of
this a native brother who attended Marshman gave away papers,
and this gave occasion to disputes, which continued a
considerable time between Marshman and the Brahmins. Felt
somewhat hurt at night at ----'s insinuating that my low
spirits, as he called it, was owing to want of diligence. God
help me to be free from this charge, and yet not desirous to
make a show before men. May I walk in sweet and inward communion
with Him, labouring with never-ceasing diligence and care, and
assured that I shall not live or labour in vain.
_June 24._--At daylight left Calcutta, and had my temper greatly
exercised by the neglects and improper behaviour of the servants
and boatmen. Arrived at Serampore at eight, and retired to my
pagoda, intending to spend the day in fasting and prayer; but
after a prayer in which the Lord helped me to review with sorrow
the wickedness of my past life, I was so overcome with fatigue
that I fell asleep, and thus lost the whole morning; so I gave
up my original intention. Passed the afternoon in translating
the second chapter of St. Matthew into Hindustani. Had a long
conversation at night with Marshman, whose desire now is that I
should stay at Serampore, give myself to the study of Hindustani
for the sake of the Scriptures, and be ready to supply the place
of Carey and Marshman in the work, should they be taken off; and
for another reason--that I might awaken the attention of the
people of God in Calcutta more to missionary subjects. I was
struck with the importance of having proper persons here to
supply the place of these two men; but could not see that it was
the path God designed for me. I felt, however, a most impatient
desire that some of my friends should come out and give
themselves to the work; for which they are so much more fit in
point of learning than any of the Dissenters are, and could not
bear that a work of such stupendous magnitude should be
endangered by their neglect and love of the world. Marshman
recommended that the serious people in Calcutta should unite in
a society for the support of missions, and each subscribe fifty
rupees a month for their maintenance. Ten members with this
subscription could support sixty or seventy native brethren. He
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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