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ff; to carry the act of justice out fully; which was done under the Marquis of Dalhousie。 The orders drawn up by Charles Grant's sons at last; in February 1833; freed Great Britain from responsibility for the connection of the East India Company with Temple and mosque endowments and the pilgrim tax。
His son Jonathan wrote this of him two years after his death:
〃In principle my father was resolute and firm; never shrinking from avowing and maintaining his sentiments。 He had conscientious scruples against taking an oath; and condemned severely the manner in which oaths were administered; and urged vehemently the propriety of altogether dispensing with them。 I remember three instances in which he took a conspicuous part in regard to oaths; such as was characteristic of the man。 On one occasion; when a respectable Hindoo servant of the college of Fort William; attached to Dr。 Carey's department; was early one morning proceeding to the Ganges to bathe; he perceived a dead body lying near the road; but it being dark; and no person being present; he passed on; taking no further notice of the circumstance。 As he returned from the Ganges after sunrise; he saw a crowd near the body; and then happened to say to one of the watchmen present that in the morning he saw the body on the other side of the road。 The watchman took him in custody; as a witness before the coroner; but; when brought before the coroner; he refused to take an oath; and was; consequently; committed to prison for contempt。 The Hindoo being a respectable person; and never having taken an oath; refused to take any nourishment in the prison。 In this state he continued a day and a half; my father being then at Serampore; but upon his coming to Calcutta; the circumstances were mentioned to him。 The fact of the man having refused to take an oath was enough to make him interest himself in his behalf。 He was delighted with the resolution the man tookrather to go to prison than take an oath; and was determined to do all he could to procure his liberation。 He first applied to the coroner; but was directed by him to the sheriff。 To that functionary he proceeded; but was informed by him that he could make no order on the subject。 He then had an interview with the then chief judge; by whose interference the man was set at liberty。
〃Another instance relates to him personally。 On the occasion of his last marriage; the day was fixed on which the ceremony was to take placefriends were invitedand all necessary arrangements made; but; three or four days prior to the day fixed; he was informed that it would be necessary for him to obtain a licence; in doing which; he must either take an oath or have banns published。 To taking an oath he at once objected; and applied to the then senior judge; who informed him that; as he was not a quaker; his oath was indispensable; but; rather than take an oath; he applied to have the banns published; and postponed the arrangements for his marriage for another three weeks。
〃The third instance was as follows:It was necessary; in a certain case; to prove a will in court; in which the name of Dr。 Carey was mentioned; in connection with the Serampore missionaries as executors。 An application was made by one of his colleagues; which was refused by the court; on account of the vagueness of the terms; 'Serampore missionaries;' but as Dr。 Carey's name was specifically mentioned; the court intimated that they would grant the application if made by him。 The communication was made: but when he was informed that an oath was necessary; he shrunk with abhorrence from the idea; but after much persuasion; he consented to make the application; if taking an oath would be dispensed with。 He did attend; and stated his objections to the then chief judge; which being allowed; his affirmation was received and recorded by the court。
〃The duties connected with the College of Fort William afforded him a change of scene; which relieved his mind; and gave him opportunities of taking exercise; and conduced much to his health。 During the several years he held the situation of professor to the college; no consideration would allow him to neglect his attendance; and though he had to encounter boisterous weather in crossing the river at unseasonable hours; he was punctual in his attendance; and never applied for leave of absence。 And when he was qualified by the rules of the service to retire on a handsome pension; he preferred being actively employed in promoting the interests of the college; and remained; assiduously discharging his duties; till his department was abolished by Government。 The business of the college requiring his attendance in Calcutta; he became so habituated to his journeys to and fro; that at his age he painfully felt the retirement he was subjected to when his office ceased。 After this circumstance his health rapidly declined; and though he occasionally visited Calcutta; he complained of extreme debility。 This increased daily; and made him a constant sufferer; until at length he was not able to leave his house。〃
Nor was it in India alone that the venerable saint found such causes of satisfaction。 He lived long enough to thank God for the emancipation of the slaves by the English people; for which he had prayed daily for fifty years。
We have many sketches of the Father of English Missions in his later years by young contemporaries who; on their first arrival in Bengal; sought him out。 In 1824 Mr。 Leslie; an Edinburgh student; who became in India the first of Baptist preachers; and was the means of the conversion of Henry Havelock who married Dr。 Marshman's youngest daughter; wrote thus of Carey after the third great illness of his Indian life:
〃Dr。 Carey; who has been very ill; is quite recovered; and bids fair to live many years; and as for Dr。 Marshman; he has never known ill…health is; during the whole period of his residence in India。 They are both active to a degree which you would think impossible in such a country。 Dr。 Carey is a very equable and cheerful old man; in countenance very like the engraving of him with his pundit; though not so robust as he appears to be there。 Next to his translations Botany is his grand study。 He has collected every plant and tree in his garden that will possibly grow in India; and is so scientific withal that he calls everything by its classical name。 If; therefore; I should at any time blunder out the word Geranium; he would say Pelargonium; and perhaps accuse me of ignorance; or blame me for vulgarity。 We had the pleasure of hearing him preach from Rom。 vii。 13; when he gave us an excellent sermon。 In manner he is very animated; and in style very methodical。 Indeed he carries method into everything he does; classification is his grand hobby; and wherever anything can be classified; there you find Dr。 Carey; not only does he classify and arrange the roots of plants and words; but visit his dwelling and you find he has fitted up and classified shelves full of minerals; stones; shells; etc。; and cages full of birds。 He is of very easy access; and great familiarity。 His attachments are strong; and extend not merely to persons but places。 About a year ago; so much of the house in