“March 9th. This morning I went to the hospital, in consequence of a message from a native woman, who is desirous of baptism: she appeared anxious to go in God’s way, as she expressed it; and with tears said, that from her heart she desired baptism. On my asking her whether she was a sinner? She replied, That before, or towards God, she was a sinner: but on being further questioned, confessed she did not know wherein she had done amiss, except it were in living in an unmarried state; looking wistfully at the man. I took occasion, from this confession, to speak of the evil of this circumstance, and of the only way of obtaining forgiveness, through the blood of Christ. She promised to keep this word in her heart, and to pray according to my directions. The man appears sensible of the evil of his present habits; and promises that, if the woman lives, he will marry her. I am at a loss how to proceed: to refuse her baptism will evidently be a grief to her; and I hope she is awakened to a sense of her sin. May the Lord direct me! “March 15th. I went yesterday evening to the barracks; and if circumstances had been favourable, should have married the persons above-mentioned; but find I should have broken military regulations if I had done so. To-day, the man seems unwilling; but the woman expressed dread at the thought of continuing in sin. I have observed, on several occasions, when explaining christian subjects through a native who understands English, that they [the natives] have a great reluctance to speak of Jesus Christ, and never do it till I urge it again. “March 17th. A letter from dear Martyn dispirits me;[34] as, from the dislike manifested to his schools, I may see how little is to be hoped for: yet we expect opposition; why then should I be dismayed? O my soul! hope in God! Notwithstanding, I have engaged a schoolmaster, and am waiting to see the result. I have employed myself to-day in translating the ten commandments into Hindoostanee, with the assistance of a moonshee. He could not, for a long time, understand why God is called a ‘jealous God.’