The expectation which this letter shews Mr. Corrie to have entertained of his recovery from the illness, under which he had been suffering during the preceding six months, turned out not to be well founded. Although he had latterly been somewhat more attentive to his health, yet the disease of the liver now returned upon him with increased severity, and altogether laid him aside from public duty. Yet in a letter to Mr. Simeon, dated early in November, 1811, Mr. C. writes:-- “One expression in it [a letter from Mr. S.] has brought before me an entirely new train of ideas respecting my duty in the ministry. You express thankfulness, that you are enabled to do the little you do now, compared with former exertions. I perceive it is an inexpressible favour to be employed in the Lord’s service at all; and instead of being uneasy at not being able to do more, I ought to be thankful for some health, and inclination to do something; and when health is withdrawn, it is as much a duty to _suffer_, as in health to do, the Lord’s will. Alas! I seem to arrive so slowly at proper views of divine things, that opportunity is gone before properly understood.” With reference to a friend, who after having decided on going to India as a chaplain, changed his mind, as the time for his leaving England approached, Mr. Corrie adds:-- “Mr. L’s family I know, and regret that he has withdrawn his hand from the plough. It is true, that the pain of separation from relatives, and dear, dear Britain, can be known only to those who have endured it; but truly an hundred-fold recompense attends it. No one can understand the pangs I endured, at times, between the time when first, in your rooms, the idea of carrying the gospel to heathen lands took possession of my mind, and the period of my leaving England. Yet dear as all the places, persons, and privileges enjoyed at home still are, I would not return to them on any consideration I am at present acquainted with. Here the light of the glow-worm even is splendid, so gross is the surrounding darkness; and every stone put into moral order is so much rescued from chaos.” The following extract from Mr. C.’s Journal will explain the nature of the communings which he held, at this time, with his own heart:--