earth; but after the service commenced, these feelings vanished. “Aug. 24th. On Monday I went to Mirzapore, where I saw an old Fakeer, the most wretched victim of superstition I have met with. He has been a great traveller, and by the strange noises he utters, and the inhuman appearance he puts on, causes the people to take him for some great one. He struck me as strongly under Satanic influence. I endeavoured to gain from him some idea of his creed; but could not. Narsingha, who is celebrated in the Bhagavat Geeta,[44] is his titular deity, whom he considers equal to the other gods. I am confounded at the thought that, from the conduct of the English present, I was prevented warning him as I ought of his danger. “Aug. 31st. Yesterday was spent at Ghazeepore; much talk about religion, and religious people; but little religious conversation. In prayer, I have been sometimes enabled to make my ‘requests known with thanksgiving;’ but have felt great backwardness to the public services of the Church. ‘Lord, be merciful to me a sinner!’ for that I suffered the rain to prevent me from going to the evening worship; and that when I have spoken unto the men, it has been in a cold and indifferent manner! I see in Robinson[45] of Cambridge (whose life I read yesterday) how far a person, and even a minister of religion may go, and yet be as ‘sounding brass or a tinkling symbol.’” [37] Printed in the Proceedings of that Society, vol. i. p. 179, and seq. [38] Head. [39] The Chief Deity. [40] The substance of this account was afterwards printed in the Missionary Register, vol. i. p. 317, and seq. [41] See above pp. 110, &c. [42] A Native washerman. [43] Formerly a Roman Catholic. See below p. 125. [44] A poetical Exposition of the doctrines of a particular school of Hindoo Theology. It forms an Episode in the Maha Bharat, one of the great Hindoo Poems, and has been translated by Wilkins. An abstract of it is given in the Quarterly Review, Vol. 45. [45] An Anabaptist preacher, celebrated in his day for his extreme opinions, both as respected politics and religion; who, after having written a ‘Plea for the Divinity of Christ,’ rejected Christianity and died a Socinian. CHAPTER VI. VISIT TO CALCUTTA--ARRIVAL OF HIS SISTER.