There seems to be no doubt but that Mr. C.’s Sermon on this, as his addresses on other occasions, whilst conveying to the religious portion of the community, a more accurate conception of the moral condition of the heathen world, served also to deepen the convictions of many, that it is a primary Christian duty to be unwearied in our efforts to bring the heathen “out of darkness into” God’s “marvellous light.” It was plain also, from his letters and communications with friends, that this awakened interest on behalf of missions, acted very beneficially on his own mind. His experience whilst in India had been such, that he had to bear up not only against the ordinary difficulties inseparable from the missionary life, but also against the hostility of the government, the indifference of his fellow-countrymen in India, and the misgivings of even good men, as to the possibility of converting the heathen. He had, moreover, in a great measure, to maintain schools and teachers, and scripture-readers, out of such resources as his own income and the occasional contributions of a few Christian friends might supply. But his residence in England had brought to his knowledge the encouraging fact, that there were thousands in his native country, who had become earnestly desirous of promoting the best interests of their fellow-subjects in India. With reference to this circumstance, Mr. Corrie had occasion to remark:-- “I was frequently favoured to witness the lively interest expressed, by persons in all ranks of life, with regard to the state of the heathen. The bare mention of some of the cruelties and superstitions we daily witness, drew forth tears of commiseration. The news of a single soul turned from heathen darkness to the light of the gospel, drew forth bursts of praise and thanksgiving to the God of all grace and mercy. Nor were these empty expressions only; for the abundant contributions throughout Britain, for carrying on the work of Missions, proved that multitudes were sincere in those expressions of interest in the cause.” When, therefore, after a residence of nearly two years in England, Mr. Corrie prepared to return to his former scene of labour, he carried with him both a deeper impression of the importance of the work in which he had been so long engaged, and also, the cheering consciousness that in such difficulties as might hereafter occur in his missionary career, he would be accompanied by the prayers and sympathies of thousands. Nor could he overlook that additional encouragement to exertion, which had recently been supplied by the kind and public manner, in which his labours at Agra had been commended by the Bishop of Calcutta.[93]