“The Hukeem I baptized proves a man of superior understanding. He has begun Hebrew, and if he proceeds as he has begun, will prove a most valuable corrector of the Hindoostanee Old Testament, which Mirza Fitrut has translated from the English. He is not, however, so obliging in his disposition as Abdool Messeeh. The eldest nephew of Abdool has been, ever since his baptism, quite another creature,--lively, devoted, and the servant of all. He is on your fund, as a Reader; and the Hukeem receives for himself and family 20 R. till he becomes qualified for some office in the church. To prove the sincerity of the Fakeers, I hired forty Bigohs[89] of land, and they have laboured with readiness for their bread, in clearing, weeding, watching, &c. This has been a present extra expense, but I am told the grain will produce a return. In consequence of the scarcity, multitudes of poor are very ill off, and a subscription, at the suggestion of Mr. F. was entered into for their relief. The sum amounts to 15 Rs. a day, and Abdool and I are the Almoners: a more troublesome and unthankful office I was never engaged in. Two months, it is thought, will put an end to the present distress. Three Schools, beside the one at home, are gaining ground. The supply you mentioned could easily be appropriated, and when something is determined, I will send down a statement of items. I refrain at present, lest I should seem to claim what will come as an offering to the Lord. I feel it would be an honour to live on bread and water that all might go in this work and way; but the claims of justice and family demand attention also.” Occupations of various kinds now so multiplied upon Mr. Corrie, that his private Journal was but irregularly kept. The completion of seven years’ residence in India was, however, too marked an event to pass unnoticed by him, and he therefore writes:--