“I am now next on the list of Chaplains to be appointed to Calcutta, and if I must go, there will then be no chaplain out of Calcutta, to enter into the affairs of the Natives. There is no town in India, where a person may not be usefully employed in missionary work, and for superintendance, Calcutta is a preferable situation, but then there must be something to superintend. At present, I am in some perplexity on this subject. God has been pleased to make the labours of Abdool-Messeeh very acceptable in this place in general. I yesterday sent off to Mr. Bates a copy of his journal from March to this time; there are eighteen children at his school in the city, and six candidates for baptism: the whole city, containing a population of upwards of fifty thousand, is moved, and very little opposition has appeared; _none_ that deserves to be called opposition: the Kazee[86] has begun to move against us. I trust we shall give no occasion for tumult, nor have I the smallest fear on that head. Martyn’s translation is admired as a composition, no less than as containing important truth; could he look from Heaven and see Abdool Messeeh, with the translated New Testament in his hand, preaching to the listening throng, and could he know of Mr. M.’s wish to follow his steps in this work, it would add fresh delight to his holy soul! Now this prospect of a rising native church makes one reflect, what is to be done for them. Could Abdool Messeeh be properly ordained, he is, in my opinion, for humility, zeal and discretion, most eminently worthy of the ministry. Fervent and experimental piety with such matured judgment, I never expected to meet with in a native of Hindoostan, and such are the sentiments of Mr. M. and another Christian friend, now with us, respecting him. But according to my views on the subject, he cannot with propriety administer the Christian Sacraments; and my successors would not, perhaps, admit him to their presence. It seems my duty, to decline all removal, as far as I may be permitted, and, I trust, I shall be able to do so, though it would, in many respects, prove a trial both personal and otherwise. The Armenian bishops, and the bishops of the Syrians, have occurred to me, if their ordinations be considered valid.[87] If I had any suitable helper to whom the work might be committed, I should perhaps, think it advisable to take the privilege of furlough, for the recovery of my strength, if it please God. The great quantity of medicine, I was obliged to take, reduced me much, and the right side is still very tender. I trust in this, and all my ways, to acknowledge the Lord, and doubt not, he will guide me aright. May his kingdom come more fully in my own heart, that I may do his will in