Mr. Martyn received Mr. Sherwood not as a stranger, but as a
brother,--the child of the same father. As the sun was already
low, he must needs walk back with him to see me. I perfectly
remember the figure of that simple-hearted and holy young man,
when he entered our budgerow. He was dressed in white, and
looked very pale, which, however, was nothing singular in India;
his hair, a light brown, was raised from his forehead, which was
a remarkably fine one. His features were not regular, but the
expression was so luminous, so intellectual, so affectionate, so
beaming with Divine charity, that no one could have looked at
his features, and thought of their shape or form,--the
out-beaming of his soul would absorb the attention of every
observer. There was a very decided air, too, of the gentleman
about Mr. Martyn, and a perfection of manners which, from his
extreme attention to all minute civilities, might seem almost
inconsistent with the general bent of his thoughts to the most
serious subjects. He was as remarkable for ease as for
cheerfulness, and in these particulars his _Journal_ does not
give a graphic account of this blessed child of God. I was much
pleased at the first sight of Mr. Martyn. I had heard much of
him from Mr. Parson; but I had no anticipation of his hereafter
becoming so distinguished as he subsequently did. And if I
anticipated it little, he, I am sure, anticipated it less; for
he was one of the humblest of men.
Mr. Martyn invited us to visit him at his quarters at Dinapore,
and we agreed to accept his invitation the next day. Mr.
Martyn's house was destitute of every comfort, though he had
multitudes of people about him. I had been troubled with a pain
in my face, and there was not such a thing as a pillow in the
house. I could not find anything to lay my head on at night but
a bolster stuffed as hard as a pin-cushion. We had not, as is
usual in India, brought our own bedding from the boats. Our kind
friend had given us his own room; but I could get no rest during
the two nights of my remaining there, from the pain in my face,
which was irritated by the bolster; but during each day,
however, there was much for the mind to feed upon with delight.
After breakfast Mr. Martyn had family prayers, which he
commenced by singing a hymn. He had a rich, deep voice, and a
fine taste for vocal music. After singing, he read a chapter,
explained parts of it, and prayed extempore. Afterwards he
withdrew to his studies and translations. The evening was
finished with another hymn, Scripture reading, and prayers. The
conversion of the natives and the building up of the kingdom of
Christ were the great objects for which alone that child of God
seemed to exist.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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