“I find a great progress in public opinion respecting the spread of the gospel. A Diocesan Committee,[95] and School-Book Society,[96] and Hindoo College,[97] are formed; in addition to the Bible Society, and Church Missionary Committee, before existing; considerable exertions, also are making to enlarge the Free School,[98] which now boards, clothes and educates upwards of two hundred children. But notwithstanding all these favourable appearances, vital religion has even more than ever to struggle with; a form of godliness without the power of it; a scheme of doctrine approaching to the truth, but still not the truth itself, is the fashion of the day. True religion does however make way, though it ‘cometh not with observation.’” On Sunday, 12th of October, Mr. Corrie preached a sermon at the Old Church in Calcutta, on behalf of the Church Missionary Society. This seems to have been the first discourse delivered from the pulpit of the Established Church in India, with a professedly missionary object;[99] and was on that account not without its effect. After the service, a native-convert was baptized by the name of Fuez Messeeh. This person had come from Bareilly to Calcutta, and had been for several months under Christian instruction. The account which he gave of himself to Mr. Corrie was, that at the age of eighteen, being disgusted with the idolatry of the Hindoos, he became a Mahomedan, and lived so strict a life as to gain many disciples by his reputed sanctity. That finding no peace of mind amid the practice of all kinds of austerities; and having, in the meanwhile, heard much of the gospel, he contrived to obtain a copy of Martyn’s Hindoostanee New Testament; that he read it, and was led “to know and feel that there is none other name under heaven, given among men, whereby he must be saved, but only the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” It was on the evening of Nov. 17, 1817, that Mr. Corrie left Calcutta for Benares. The following are extracts from his Journal at this time:--