“Oct. 13th. I came to Serampore to dinner. Had a pleasant sail up the river: the time passed agreeably in conversation. In the evening a fire was kindled on the opposite bank; and we soon perceived that it was a funeral pile, on which the wife was burning with the dead body of her husband. It was too dark to distinguish the miserable victim of superstition; but by the light of the flames we could discover a great crowd of people: their horrid noise, and senseless music, joined with the testimony of some of the servants, convinced us that our apprehensions were founded on fact. The noise continued till ten o’clock, and the fire was kept burning till that time. My mind was struck with horror and pity. On going out to walk with Martyn to the pagoda, the noise so unnatural, and so little calculated to excite joy, raised in my mind an awful sense of the presence and influence of evil spirits. O that the Lord would command his word to run and be glorified, in casting them out, and placing in their stead the mild influence of his Gospel! “Oct. 18th, 1806. On Wednesday last, Mr. Brown, Parson and myself proceeded up the river with Martyn, to set him on his way to Dinapore. We landed at Ghyretee, and walked through a most delightful avenue; afterwards through a neat village (for this country), and arrived at Chandernagore about seven o’clock: we took tea at a tavern, and went on board our budgerow, about nine o’clock. After joining in prayer, we retired to rest. On Thursday morning, we proceeded to Chinsurah, on foot, through groves of fruit trees; we arrived at Chinsurah soon after seven o’clock, and received a most hospitable reception from Mr. Forsyth:[20] after dinner, we went with Mr. F. above Bandell; and after worship, returned to Chinsurah in & _paunchway_.[21] Yesterday morning, the weather having commenced rainy, we determined to return to Aldeen, on account of Mr. Brown’s boat becoming uninhabitable. We first engaged, according to arrangement, in alternate prayer. Mr. Brown commenced with reading a portion of Scripture, singing a hymn, and prayer, which order was observed by P., myself, and Martyn. A sense of the Divine presence was experienced by each of us, and our consolation in Christ Jesus abounded; so that we left our friend without regret, and he parted with us cheerfully; each persuaded that God was with us, and would be our ‘shield and exceeding great reward.’ “Oct. 22nd. On coming down the river, I saw the figures of Doorga[22] paraded on the river, and the indecencies of idol-worship. My mind was inexpressibly grieved; and most earnestly did I desire to be able to address the poor deluded heathen.