按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
me will I wait till my change come。' I was； two months or more ago； reduced to such a state of weakness that it appeared as if my mind was extinguished； and my weakness of body； and sense of extreme fatigue and exhaustion； were such that I could scarcely speak； and it appeared that death would be no more felt than the removing from one chair to another。 I am now able to sit and to lie on my couch； and now and then to read a proof sheet of the Scriptures。 I am too weak to walk more than just across the house； nor can I stand even a few minutes without support。 I have every comfort that kind friends can yield； and feel； generally； a tranquil mind。 I trust the great point is settled； and I am ready to depart； but the time when； I leave with God。
〃3rd Oct。I am not worse than when I began this letter。I am； your very affectionate brother； WM。 CAREY。〃
His latest message to Christendom was sent on the 30th September； most appropriately to Christopher Anderson：〃As everything connected with the full accomplishment of the divine promises depends on the almighty power of God； pray that I and all the ministers of the Word may take hold of His strength； and go about our work as fully expecting the accomplishment of them all； which； however difficult and improbable it may appear； is certain； as all the promises of God are in Him； yea； and in Him； Amen。〃 Had he not； all his career； therefore expected and attempted great things？
He had had a chair fixed on a small platform； constructed after his own direction； that he might be wheeled through his garden。 At other times the chief gardener Hullodhur； reported to him the state of the collection of plants； then numbering about 2000。 Dr。 Marshman saw his friend daily； sometimes twice a day； and found him always what Lord Hastings had described him to be〃the cheerful old man。〃 On the only occasion on which he seemed sad； Dr。 Marshman as he was leaving the room turned and asked why。 With deep feeling the dying scholar looked to the others and said； 〃After I am gone Brother Marshman will turn the cows into my garden。〃 The reply was prompt； 〃Far be it from me； though I have not your botanical tastes； the care of the garden in which you have taken so much delight； shall be to me a sacred duty。〃34
Of strangers his most frequent visitor was the Governor…General's wife； Lady William Bentinck。 Her husband was in South India； and she spent most of her time in Barrackpore Park retreat opposite to Carey's house。 From her frequent converse with him； in his life as well as now； she studied the art of dying。 Daniel Wilson； Bishop of Calcutta； learned to delight in Serampore almost from the beginning of his long episcopate； and in later years he lived there more than in Calcutta。 On the 14th February 1833 he first visited Carey； 〃his interview with whom； confined as he was to his room； and apparently on the verge of the celestial world； was peculiarly affecting。〃 In the last of subsequent visits the young Bishop asked the dying missionary's benediction。 With all the talk was the same； a humble resignation to the will of God； firm trust in the Redeemer of sinners； a joyful gratitude for the wonderful progress of His Kingdom。 What a picture is this that his brethren sent home six weeks before he passed away。 〃Our aged and venerable brother feels himself growing gradually weaker。 He can scarcely rise from his couch； and it is with great difficulty that he is carried out daily to take the air。 Yet he is free from all pain as to disease； and his mind is in a most serene and happy state。 He is in full possession of his faculties； and； although with difficulty； on account of his weakness； he still converses with his friends from day to day。〃
The hottest season of the year crept wearily on during the month of May and the first week of June。 Each night he slept well； and each day he was moved to his couch in the dining…room for air。 There he lay； unable to articulate more than a word or two； but expressing by his joyful features union in prayer and interest in conversation。 On the 22nd May the English mail arrived with gladdening intelligence from Mr。 HopeGod's people were praying and giving anew for the mission。 Especially was his own latest station of Cherra…poonjee remembered。 As he was told that a lady； anonymously； had offered ？00 for that mission； ？00 for the college； ？00 for the translations； and ？00 for the mission generally； he raised his emaciated hands to heaven and murmured praise to God。 When the delirium of departure came he strove to reach his desk that he might write a letter of thanks； particularly for Cherra。 Then he would recall the fact that the little church he at first formed had branched out into six and twenty churches； in which the ordinances of the Gospel were regularly administered； and he would whisper； 〃What has God wrought！〃
The last Sabbath had comeand the last full day。 The constant Marshman was with him。 〃He was scarcely able to articulate； and after a little conversation I knelt down by the side of his couch and prayed with him。 Finding my mind unexpectedly drawn out to bless God for His goodness； in having preserved him and blessed him in India for above forty years； and made him such an instrument of good to His church； and to entreat that on his being taken home； a double portion of his spirit might rest on those who remained behind； though unable to speak； he testified sufficiently by his countenance how cordially he joined in this prayer。 I then asked Mrs。 Carey whether she thought he could now see me。 She said yes； and to convince me； said； 'Mr。 Marshman wishes to know whether you now see him？' He answered so loudly that I could hear him； 'Yes； I do；' and shook me most cordially by the hand。 I then left him； and my other duties did not permit me to reach him again that day。 The next morning； as I was returning home before sunrise； I met our Brethren Mack and Leechman out on their morning ride； when Mack told me that our beloved brother had been rather worse all the night； and that he had just left him very ill。 I immediately hastened home； through the college in which he has lived these ten years； and when I reached his room； found that he had just entered into the joy of his LordMrs。 Carey； his son Jabez； my son John； and Mrs。 Mack being present。〃
It was Monday the 9th June 1834； at half…past five； as the morning sun was ascending the heavens towards the perfect day。 The rain…clouds burst and covered the land with gloom next morning when they carried William Carey to the converts' burial…ground and made great lamentation。 The notice was too short for many to come up from Calcutta in those days。 〃Mr。 Duff； of the Scottish Church； returned a most kind letter。〃 Sir Charles Metcalfe and the Bishop wrote very feelingly in reply。 Lady Bentinck sent the Rev。 Mr。 Fisher to represent the Governor…General and herself； and 〃a most kind and feeling answer； for she truly loved the venerable man；〃 while she sadly gazed at the mourners as they followed the simple funeral up the right bank of the Hoogli； past the College and the Mission chapel。 Mr。 Yates； who had taken a loving farewell of the scholar he had been reluctant to succeed； represente