Meanwhile, to help the work at Tanjore, Schwartz made himself proficient in the Mahratta language and wrote a dialogue in that tongue on the Christian faith which was fruitful of good results. He resolved to stay at Tanjore and found much cause for encouragement in his converse with the Brahmins, many of whom admitted that nothing but fear of consequences prevented them from being Christians. The poor puppet of a King, however, was rapidly going downhill, drink and sensuality had done their work, and his authority was counting for little in any quarter. A small church was being built in the fort and Schwartz preached the opening sermon after the General of the English troops had laid the foundation stone. The Madras Government were anxious to make Schwartz a handsome present of money for his work among the soldiers and other services, but he refused it, asking only for some bricks and lime to help to build his church. It was just at this time, in March, 1779, that he received an urgent summons to see Sir Thomas Rumbold, the Governor at Madras. On his arrival he was told that he was desired to undertake a very important mission to Hyder Ali at Seringapatam to discover his real intentions and to assure him of the peaceable thoughts of the English. “As the intention of the journey is good and Christian, namely, to prevent the effusion of human blood and to preserve this country in peace, this commission militates not against but highly becomes your sacred office and therefore we hope you will accept it.” This was an honour and yet it meant great danger; Schwartz made it a matter of much prayer and finally agreed to go, feeling that in so doing he was fulfilling the will of God. He had very carefully considered the question from all its bearings, as was his wont, and decided on three grounds, 1st, that its aim was to promote the blessings of peace; 2nd, because he could thereby preach the Gospel in many parts hitherto unvisited; and 3rd, the Company had shown him great kindness and he wished to return this with some gratitude. But he would accept no presents and not a single farthing would he take beyond his travelling expenses. He stayed a month at Caroor on his way, and with the assistance of his only fellow-traveller, Sattianaden, he preached to crowds of people and discussed privately the doctrines of Christianity with many Brahmins. Afterwards he climbed the steep and dangerous path from Guzzulhatty, and being now in Mysore talked to the Brahmins in Hindustani, one of them telling him that “Hyder is quite unconcerned as to religion; he has none himself and leaves everyone else to his choice.” In a short time he reached Seringapatam and his impressions of the place and an account of his reception by this despot are so admirably told in his journal that an extract, therefore, must be given _in extenso_: