“Notwithstanding the many objects new to you, with which I am surrounded, I scarce know what to write to you about: it is a time of great spiritual dulness with me; and, owing to the indisposition of the native teacher, the great work we have chiefly at heart seems at a stand. My strength is laid out, in the mean time, among the European soldiers; and, alas, to little seeming purpose ... I am ready to be weary of what appears so hopeless a task as the turning of men, so incorrigible, from the error of their ways: these workings of my mind are too glaringly impious to escape even my half-awakened perception, and the greatest of all opposition I find to spring from my desperately wicked heart: I trust something of self-abasement, for this horribly rebellious spirit, exists at the same time. “You know all the controversy that has arisen at home respecting missions to this country:[47] there is no knowing what the end of such opposition to Christ’s kingdom will be. We have been in expectation of a visit from the French over land. The late events in Spain may be the means of keeping us longer quiet here. The French would perhaps have established their system of worship where they could have got footing; and any mode of Christianity would have been preferable to the idolatry and superstition that overwhelms this unhappy land. My principal employment now is with a school of Christian native children, five in number: some of them read easily the Holy Scriptures in Hindoostanee; and a gleam of joy sometimes enlivens my mind while hearing them. “Feb. 15th. Since writing the above, the old native Christian has been enabled to renew his labours; and another christian child is come to school. I have had one of those sudden attacks you happily know little of in England; it has not yet left me; but my times are in God’s hand. I find it is good to be afflicted: my soul returns unto her rest; and, I bless God for a desire only to know and glorify Him: this I think I can say is all in all with me. You will have heard of the Roman-catholic mission established in this country. My Catechist is a fruit of this mission; and four men and four children in my employ besides. They are natives of Bettiah in the kingdom of Nepaul, i. e., the old kingdom of Nepaul; for now the British posterity of Japheth are dwelling in almost every corner of the tents of these sons of Shem; and the old limits of most of the states of this country are in consequence altered.