TO THE REV. D. CORRIE. “For several years past we have entertained a desire, that no one would indulge in any kind of controversy, and that all theological discussion might cease amongst us. For the attainment of this our desire, Joy Narain Maharaj, often attempted to establish a school, but was never able to accomplish his design. When you arrived at Benares, and kindly engaged the superintendence of a school, in the which instruction should be afforded in the English, Persian, Hindue and Bengalee languages, from that time our wishes began to be realized: seeing that as at all times it is a difficult thing to collect individuals of different religious principles, you by your investigation, liberality and kindness, &c. caused upwards of 200 to lay aside their religious prejudices and engage in the same pursuit. Since when, by the will of God, you were pleased to embark for Calcutta, your condescension, liberality, and charity; your kindness, love for the truth, and enmity to deception; your excellent understanding, convincing knowledge, and acquaintance with the theological works of the Christian religion; your Christian-like conduct, your affording instruction to those desirous of being more acquainted with the way of salvation by the mediation of Christ, and meeting the views of the learner; are subjects of daily conversation, and cause us to admire that prudence which, aloof from the violence made use of by those of other dynasties, causes Rajahs, Baboos, great and learned Pundits, Mouluwees, Moonshees, in fact the great of the city, to court your friendship. A remembrance of these things occasions much sorrow, and produces a desire for another interview. Here we trust that God Almighty will again suffer us to meet, and that as long as it please Him to retain you in Calcutta, He will not fail on your account to bless both us and the school.” (Here follow the signatures of Joy Narain and of 266 other natives of Benares.) [95] Formed in 1815. [96] Instituted May 1817. [97] Originated by natives in Aug. 1816. [98] Established in 1789. [99] See Missionary Register for 1818, p. 448. [100] A kind of footman. [101] Mr. Adlington had gone to Agra to visit Abdool Messeeh. [102] The Calcutta Committee of the Church Missionary Society. [103] By the termination of the Pindarry and Mahratta wars. [104] That of Godfather. [105] See above p. 149. [106] Joy Narain’s own account of the circumstances which led him thus to consult the good of his countrymen, may be seen in the Missionary Register for 1819, pp. 416, 417.