_December 4._--Called at two or three of the parishioners' houses, and found them universally in the most profound state of ignorance and stupidity. On my road home could not perceive that men who have any little knowledge should have anything to do but instruct their wretched fellow-creatures. The pursuits of science, and all the vain and glittering employments of men, seemed a cruel withholding from their perishing brethren of that time and exertion which might save their souls. _December 22._--Married ----. How satisfactory is it to administer the ordinance of matrimony, where the couple are pious! I felt thankful that I was delivered from all desires of the comforts of the married life. With the most desirable partner, and every prospect of happiness, I would prefer a single life, in which there are so much greater opportunities for heavenly-mindedness. When appointed classical examiner of his college at this time, he jealously examined himself: Did I delight in reading of the retreat of the ten thousand Greeks; and shall not my soul glory in the knowledge of God, who created the Greeks, and the vast countries over which they passed! I examined in Butler's _Analogy_ and in Xenophon: how much pride and ostentatious display of learning was visible in my conduct--how that detestable spirit follows me, whatever I do! He opened the year 1804, after preaching in Trinity Church, and visiting two men whom he exhorted to think on their ways, with a review of his new-found life. Nevertheless, I judge that I have grown in grace in the course of the last year; for the bent of my desires is towards God more than when I thought I was going out as a missionary, though vastly less than I expected it would have been by this time. This year he received into his fellowship the young poet, Henry Kirke White, whom Wilberforce had, at Simeon's request, sent to St. John's. Southey declares that Chatterton is the only youthful poet whom Kirke White does not leave far behind him. 'The Star of Bethlehem' is certainly a hymn that will live. The sickly youth followed close in Martyn's steps, becoming the first man of his year, but the effort carried him off almost before his friend reached India.