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the life of william carey-第31章

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ch Missionary Society; with Carey's friend; Thomas Scott; as its first secretary。  The sacred enthusiasm was caught by the Netherlands on the one side under the influence of Dr。 Van der Kemp; who had studied at Edinburgh University; and by the divinity students of New England; of whom Adoniram Judson was even then in training to receive from Carey the apostolate of Burma。  Soon too the Bengali Bible translations were to unite with the needs of the Welsh at home to establish the British and Foreign Bible Society。

As news of all this reached Carey amid his troubles and yet triumphs of faith in the swamps of Dinajpoor; and when he learned that he was soon to be joined by four colleagues; one of whom was Ward whom he himself had trysted to print the Bengali Bible for him; he might well write; in July 1799:〃The success of the Gospel and; among other things; the hitherto unextinguishable missionary flame in England and all the western world; give us no little encouragement and animate our hearts。〃  To Sutcliff he had written eighteen months before that:〃I rejoice much at the missionary spirit which has lately gone forth: surely it is a prelude to the universal spread of the Gospel!  Your account of the German Moravian Brethren's affectionate regard towards me is very pleasing。  I am not much moved by what men in general say of me; yet I cannot be insensible to the regards of men eminent for godliness。。。Staying at home is now become sinful in many cases; and will become so more and more。  All gifts should be encouraged; and spread abroad。〃

The day was breaking now。  Men as well as money were offered for Carey's work。  In Scotland especially Fuller found that he had but to ask; but to appear in any evangelical pulpit; and he would receive sums which; in that day of small things; rebuked his little faith。  Till the last Scotland was loyal to Carey and his colleagues; and with almost a prevision of this he wrote so early as 1797:〃It rejoices my heart much to hear of our brethren in Scotland having so liberally set themselves to encourage the mission。〃  They approved of his plans; and prayed for him and his work。  When Fuller called on Cecil for help; the 〃churchy〃 evangelical told him he had a poor opinion of all Baptists except one; the man who wrote The Gospel Worthy of All Acceptation。  When he learned that its author was before him; the hasty offender apologised and offered a subscription。 〃Not a farthing; sir!〃 was the reply; 〃you do not give in faith;〃 but the persistent Cecil prevailed。  Men; however; were a greater want than money at that early stage of the modern crusade。  Thomas and Fountain had each been a mistake。  So were the early African missionaries; with the exception of the first Scotsman; Peter Greig。  Of the thirty sent out by the London Missionary Society in the Duff only four were fit for ordination; and not one has left a name of mark。  The Church Mission continued to send out only Germans till 1815。  In quick succession four young men offered themselves to the Baptist Society to go out as assistants to Carey; in the hope that the Company would give them a covenant to resideBrunsdon and Grant; two of Ryland's Bristol flock; Joshua Marshman with his wife Hannah Marshman; and William Ward called by Carey himself。

In nine months Fuller had them and their families shipped in an American vessel; the Criterion; commanded by Captain Wickes; a Presbyterian elder of Philadelphia; who ever after promoted the cause in the United States。  Charles Grant helped them as he would have aided Carey alone。  Though the most influential of the Company's directors; he could not obtain a passport for them; but he gave them the very counsel which was to provide for the young mission its ark of defence: 〃Do not land at Calcutta but at Serampore; and there; under the protection of the Danish flag; arrange to join Mr。 Carey。〃  After five months' prosperous voyage the party reached the Hoogli。  Before arriving within the limits of the port of Calcutta Captain Wickes sent them off in two boats under the guidance of a Bengali clerk to Serampore; fifteen miles higher up on the right bank of the river。  They had agreed that he should boldly enter them; not as assistant planters; but as Christian missionaries; rightly trusting to Danish protection。  Charles Grant had advised them well; but it is not easy now; as in the case of their predecessors in 1795 and of their successors up to 1813; to refrain from indignation that the British Parliament; and the party led by William Pitt; should have so long lent all the weight of their power to the East India Company in the vain attempt to keep Christianity from the Hindoos。  Ward's journal thus simply tells the story of the landing of the missionaries at this Iona; this Canterbury of Southern Asia:

〃Lord's…day; Oct。 13; 1799。Brother Brunsdon and I slept in the open air on our chests。  We arrived at Serampore this morning by daylight; in health and pretty good spirits。  We put up at Myerr's; a Danish tavern to which we had been recommended。  No worship to…day。  Nothing but a Portuguese church here。

〃Oct。 14。Mr。 Forsyth from Calcutta; missionary belonging to the London Missionary Society; astonished us by his presence this afternoon。  He was wholly unknown; but soon became well known。  He gave us a deal of interesting information。  He had seen brother Carey; who invited him to his house; offered him the assistance of his Moonshi; etc。

〃Oct。 16The Captain having been at Calcutta came and informed us that his ship could not be entered unless we made our appearance。 Brother Brunsdon and I went to Calcutta; and the next day we were informed that the ship had obtained an entrance; on condition that we appeared at the Police Office; or would continue at Serampore。 All things considered we preferred the latter; till the arrival of our friends from Kidderpore to whom we had addressed letters。 Captain Wickes called on Rev。 Mr。 Brown; who very kindly offered to do anything for us in his power。  Our Instructions with respect to our conduct towards Civil Government were read to him。  He promised to call at the Police Office afterwards; and to inform the Master that we intended to stay at Serampore; till we had leave to go up the country。  Captain Wickes called at the office afterwards; and they seemed quite satisfied with our declaration by him。  In the afternoon we went to Serampore。

〃Oct。 19。I addressed a letter to the Governor to…day begging his acceptance of the last number of our Periodical Accounts; and informing him that we proposed having worship to…morrow in our own house; from which we did not wish to exclude any person。

〃Lord's…day; Oct。 20。This morning the Governor sent to inquire the hours of our worship。  About half…past ten he came to our house with a number of gentlemen and their retinue。  I preached from Acts xx。 24。  We had a very attentive congregation of Europeans: several appeared affected; among whom was the Governor。〃

The text was well chosen from Paul's words to the elders of Ephesus; as he turned his face towards the bonds and afflictions that awaited him〃But none of these things move me; neither count I my life dear unto myself; so that I might finish my course with joy
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