During the two months following the date of this extract, Mr. Corrie was chiefly occupied with the ordinary clerical duties at Cawnpore. Besides these however, he did not cease to employ himself in urging on the translation of the Old Testament into Hindoostanee, which Mirza Fitrut had commenced under the superintendence of Mr. Martyn; and Mr. C’s correspondence about this time shews him, also, to have been actively engaged in furthering the objects contemplated by the Calcutta Bible Society, and in collecting subscriptions for it. Thus in a letter to Mr. Brown, Mr. C. observes, “April 8, 1811. “I wrote to Fitrut on the receipt of your last. He sends word, that he is unwell, but will come over soon. I expect him daily, but suppose he will raise obstacles. The copy of Martyn’s sermon which Mr. T. sent me, has not been at home a day since it arrived. Applications from all hands are daily made for it. The people are astonished at the _number_ of Christians in India. Whilst they have been objecting to conversion, behold a harvest is already gathered! I have the promise of many subscriptions, chiefly, indeed, from those who have not much to give; but till I can tell them all about you in Calcutta, I know not exactly on what ground to ask for subscriptions.” And, again, in a letter to Mr. Brown, during the same month:-- “By Fitrut’s desire I send you the enclosed. Before it arrives, you will have determined on his request. He is now ready to set off, but that I do not choose absolutely to promise the increase of salary he wishes for. In the meantime, he is going on translating, and he comes every morning for an hour or two, to superintend my translations also. No _banghy_ has yet arrived with sermon &c., but Col. P. has written to Lieut. L., assistant commissary here, requesting his aid and exertions for the Bible Society. He sent a sermon and a copy of the proceedings, &c.[74] Mr. Lumsdaine, accordingly, is getting subscriptions from his friends. The general has given 200 rupees, and the plan of the society is generally approved. The public attention has been greatly excited, and our friends here thought it advisable to give the subject all the publicity possible; so yesterday, I gave notice from the pulpit, that on Sunday next, I shall preach a sermon on the subject of the Holy Scriptures, and state the views of the society lately formed in Calcutta, in aid of the British and Foreign Bible Society in London, &c. I had before waited on Mr. L. and agreed to act in concert. Thus, more advantage to the cause is likely to arise than we ever hoped for; we want only copies of proceedings, &c., to gratify the attention thus far excited, before it subsides.