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 daybreak, 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 talking a little about dear friends in England. In the
afternoon, I translate with Mirza Fitrut into Hindustani, 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 Hindu 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 daytime. 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 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, and
whom you see and what you read.
_August 17._--I am sorry to conclude with saying that my
yesterday's boasted health proved a mistake; I 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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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