[25] A kind of religious mendicant. [26] Superintendent of Indigo works. [27] About ten shillings sterling. [28] The celebrated hot-well named “Seetacoom,”--the fountain of Seeta.--BISHOP HEBER’S JOURNAL. [29] Present. CHAPTER IV. SETTLEMENT AT CHUNAR. Chunar, the first scene of Mr. Corrie’s stated ministry in India, used to be a place of greater importance than it is now that the frontier of the British Empire has been so much extended in all directions. The fortress is spread over the sides of a high rock which is washed by the Ganges; and although the place is not considered unhealthy, yet during some months in the year, the heat at Chunar is intense. The Europeans stationed there, when Mr. C. was chaplain, were all military, and for the most part invalids, who, though unfit for active service, were equal to garrison-duty. Besides those Europeans and some Sepoys, there were a few half-castes of Portuguese extraction, and some native women who followed the army. Without the cantonments was a Hindoo and Mahomedan population amounting to 10,000 or 12,000 souls. The Europeans, also, at Secrole (about twelve miles from Chunar) became afterwards part of Mr. Corrie’s charge; whilst the vast heathen population of Benares, with its cruel and senseless superstitions, opened out a large field for the exercise of missionary zeal and christian philanthropy. The extracts given below from Mr. Corrie’s journal and Letters, will explain the nature of his official duties, and missionary operations. It will be seen that he had many obstacles to encounter in his efforts to impart the knowledge of Christ to those “who lay in darkness and in the shadow of death.”[30] Among the many trials, too, which his faith had to sustain, not the least will appear to have arisen from the determined hostility to all missionary labours, manifested by the Government of India; in forgetfulness, it may be presumed, of the great truth, that as “the kingdoms of this world are” destined to “become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ,” all opposition to the spread of Christianity is hostility to the “King of kings.”[31] “Sunday, Feb. 22nd. This day I begin my labours at Chunar, and have much reason to adore him who heareth prayer, for smoothing my way, and opening a door of hope that good will be done. I arose at five o’clock this morning and prepared for divine service. At seven o’clock, I went to the place of worship, and found there the effective artillery-men, the garrison invalids, and several of the others, with the Colonel, Captain P., Lieut. A., and the invalid officers D. and H. with some other officers of the Fort. Observed several very attentive. At half past nine o’clock I went to the hospital, and found a table set, and the people very ready to hear, and attentive. Now, O Lord,