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prosperous gale of worldly prosperity； than we have done since we resolved to have all things in common。 If we are enabled to persevere in the same principles； we may hope that multitudes of converted souls will have reason to bless God to all eternity for sending His Gospel into this country。〃
Such was the moral heroism； such the spiritual aim of the Serampore brotherhood； how did it set to work？
CHAPTER VI
THE FIRST NATIVE CONVERTS AND CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS
1800…1810
A carpenter the first Bengali convertKrishna Pal's confessionCaste broken for the first timeCarey describes the baptism in the HoogliThe first woman convertThe first widow convertThe first convert of writer casteThe first Christian BrahmanThe first native chapelA Bengali 〃experience〃 meetingCarey founding a new community as well as churchMarriage difficulties solvedThe first native Christian marriage feast in North IndiaHindoo Christian death and burialThe first Christian schools and school…books in North IndiaThe first native Sunday schoolBoarding schools for the higher education of country…born ChristiansCarey on the mixed Portuguese； Eurasians； and ArmeniansThe Benevolent Institution for destitute children of all racesA hundred schoolsEnglish only postponedEffect on native opinion and actionThe leaven of the KingdomThe Mission breaks forth into five at the close of 1810。
For seven years Carey had daily preached Christ in Bengali without a convert。 He had produced the first edition of the New Testament。 He had reduced the language to literary form。 He had laid the foundations in the darkness of the pit of Hindooism； while the Northamptonshire pastors； by prayer and self…sacrifice； held the ropes。 The last disappointment was on 25th November 1800； when 〃the first Hindoo〃 catechumen； Fakeer； offered himself for baptism； returned to his distant home for his child； and appeared no more； probably 〃detained by force。〃 But on the last Sunday of that year Krishna Pal was baptised in the Hoogli and his whole family soon followed him。 He was thirty…five years of age。 Not only as the first native Christian of North India of whom we have a reliable account； but as the first missionary to Calcutta and Assam； and the first Bengali hymn…writer； this man deserves study。
Carey's first Hindoo convert was three years younger than himself； or about thirty…six； at baptism。 Krishna Pal； born in the neighbouring French settlement of Chandernagore； had settled in the suburbs of Serampore； where he worked as a carpenter。 Sore sickness and a sense of sin led him to join the Kharta…bhojas； one of the sects which； from the time of Gautama Buddha； and of Chaitanya； the reformer of Nuddea； to that of Nanak； founder of the Sikh brotherhood have been driven into dissent by the yoke of Brahmanism。 Generally worshippers of some form of Vishnoo； and occasionally； as in Kabeer's case； influenced by the monotheism of Islam； these sects begin by professing theism and opposition to caste； though Hindooism is elastic enough to keep them always within its pale and ultimately to absorb them again。 For sixteen years Krishna Pal was himself a gooroo of the Ghospara sect； of which from Carey's to Duff's earlier days the missionaries had a hope which proved vain。 He recovered from sickness； but could not shake off the sense of the burden of sin； when this message came to him； and； to his surprise； through the Europeans〃Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners。〃 At the same time he happened to dislocate his right arm by falling down the slippery side of his tank when about to bathe。 He sent two of the children to the Mission House for Thomas； who immediately left the breakfast table at which the brethren had just sat down； and soon reduced the luxation； while the sufferer again heard the good news that Christ was waiting to heal his soul； and he and his neighbour Gokool received a Bengali tract。 He himself thus told the story：〃In this paper I read that he who confesseth and forsaketh his sins； and trusteth in the righteousness of Christ； obtains salvation。 The next morning Mr。 Carey came to see me； and after inquiring how I was； told me to come to his house； that he would give me some medicine； by which； through the blessing of God； the pain in my arm would be removed。 I went and obtained the medicine； and through the mercy of God my arm was cured。 From this time I made a practice of calling at the mission house； where Mr。 Ward and Mr。 Felix Carey used to read and expound the Holy Bible to me。 One day Dr。 Thomas asked me whether I understood what I heard from Mr。 Ward and Mr。 Carey。 I said I understood that the Lord Jesus Christ gave his life up for the salvation of sinners； and that I believed it； and so did my friend Gokool。 Dr。 T。 said； 'Then I call you brothercome and let us eat together in love。' At this time the table was set for luncheon； and all the missionaries and their wives； and I and Gokool； sat down and ate together。〃
The servants spread the news； most horrible to the people； that the two Hindoos had 〃become Europeans；〃 and they were assaulted on their way home。 Just thirty years after； in Calcutta； the first public breach of caste by the young Brahman students of Duff raised a still greater commotion； and resulted in the first converts there。 Krishna Pal and his wife； his wife's sister and his four daughters； Gokool； his wife； and a widow of forty who lived beside them； formed the first group of Christian Hindoos of caste in India north of Madras。 Two years after Krishna Pal sent to the Society this confession of his faith。 Literally translated； it is a record of belief such as Paul himself might have written； illustrated by an apostolic life of twenty…two years。 The carpenter's confession and dedication has； in the original； an exquisite tenderness； reflected also in the hymn11 which he wrote for family worship：
〃SERAMPORE； 12th Oct。 1802。
〃To the brethren of the church of our Saviour Jesus Christ； our souls' beloved； my affectionately embracing representation。 The love of God； the gospel of Jesus Christ； was made known by holy brother Thomas。 In that day our minds were filled with joy。 Then judging； we understood that we were dwelling in darkness。 Through the door of manifestation we came to know that； sin confessing； sin forsaking； Christ's righteousness embracing； salvation would be obtained。 By light springing up in the heart； we knew that sinners becoming repentant； through the sufferings of Christ； obtain salvation。 In this rejoicing； and in Christ's love believing； I obtained mercy。 Now it is in my mind continually to dwell in the love of Christ： this is the desire of my soul。 Do you； holy people； pour down love upon us； that as the chatookee we may be satisfied。12 I was the vilest of sinners： He hath saved me。 Now this word I will tell to the world。 Going forth； I will proclaim the love of Christ with rejoicing。 To sinners I will say this word： Here sinner； brother！ Without Christ there is no help。 Christ； the world to save； gave his own soul！ Such love was never heard： for enemies Christ gave his own soul！ Such compassion； where shall we get？ For the sake of saving sinners he forsook the happiness of heav