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the life of william carey-第38章

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he way of salvation!

〃Ram Roteen。 In my mind there is this: I see that all the debtahs (idols) are nothing; and that Jesus Christ is the only Saviour。  If I can believe in him; and walk in his commandments; it may be well with me。

〃Rasoo。 I am a great sinner; yet I wish continually to think of the death of Christ。  I had much comfort in the marriage of my daughter (Onunda to Krishna Prosad)。  The neighbours talked much about it; and seemed to think that it was much better that a man should choose his own wife; than that people should be betrothed in their infancy by their parents。  People begin to be able to judge a little now about the Christian ways。

〃Jeymooni。 In this country are many ways: the way of the debtahs; the way of Jagganath; where all eat together; the way of Ghospara; etc。  Yet all these are vain。  Yesoo Kreest's death; and Yesoo Kreest's commandsthis is the way of life!  I long to see Kreest's kingdom grow。  This week I had much joy in talking to Gokool's mother; whose heart is inclined to judge about the way of Kreest。 When I was called to go and talk with her; on the way I thought within myself; but how can I explain the way of Kreest?  I am but a woman; and do not know much。  Yet I recollected that the blessing does not come from us: God can bless the weakest words。  Many Bengali women coming from the adjoining houses; sat down and heard the word; and I was glad in hoping that the mercy of God might be found by this old woman。 'Gokool's mother。'

〃Komal。 I am a great sinner; yet I have been much rejoiced this week in Gokool's mother coming to inquire about the Gospel。  I had great sorrow when Gokool was ill; and at one time I thought he would have died; but God has graciously restored him。  We have worldly sorrow; but this lasts only for a time。

〃Draupadi。 This week I have had much sorrow on account of Petumber。 His mind is very bad: he sits in the house; and refuses to work; and I know not what will become of him: yet Kreest's death is a true word。

〃Golook。 I have had much joy in thinking of God's goodness to our family。  My sisters Onunda and Kesaree wish to be baptised; and to come into the church。  If I can believe in Kreest's death; and keep his commands till death; then I shall be saved。〃

Carey was not only founding the Church of North India; he was creating a new society; a community; which has its healthy roots in the Christian family。  Krishna Pal had come over with his household; like the Philippian; and at once became his own and their gooroo or priest。  But the marriage difficulty was early forced on him and on the missionaries。  The first shape which persecution took was an assault on his eldest daughter; Golook; who was carried off to the house in Calcutta of the Hindoo to whom in infancy she had been betrothed; or married according to Hindoo law enforced by the Danish and British courts。  As a Christian she loathed a connection which was both idolatrous and polygamous。  But she submitted for a time; continuing; however; secretly to pray to Christ when beaten by her husband for openly worshipping Him; and refusing to eat things offered to the idol。  At last it became intolerable。  She fled to her father; was baptised; and was after a time joined by her penitent husband。  The subject of what was to be done with converts whose wives would not join them occupied the missionaries in discussion every Sunday during 1803; and they at last referred it to Andrew Fuller and the committee。  Practically they anticipated the Act in which Sir Henry Maine gave relief after the Scriptural mode。 They sent the husband to use every endeavour to induce his heathen wife to join him; long delay or refusal they counted a sufficient ground for divorce; and they allowed him to marry again。  The other case; which still troubles the native churches; of the duty of a polygamous Christian; seems to have been solved according to Dr。 Doddridge's advice; by keeping such out of office in the church; and pressing on the conscience of all the teaching of our Lord in Matthew xix。; and of Paul in 1st Corinthians vii。

In 1802 Carey drew up a form of agreement and of service for native Christian marriages not unlike that of the Church of England。  The simple and pleasing ceremony in the case of Syam Dass presented a contrast to the prolonged; expensive; and obscene rites of the Hindoos; which attracted the people。  When; the year after; a Christian Brahman was united to a daughter of Krishna Pal; in the presence of more than a hundred Hindoos; the unity of all in Christ Jesus was still more marked:

〃Apr。 4; 1803。This morning early we went to attend the wedding of Krishna Prosad with Onunda; Krishna's second daughter。  Krishna gave him a piece of ground adjoining his dwelling; to build him a house; and we lent Prosad fifty rupees for that purpose; which he is to return monthly; out of his wages。  We therefore had a meeting for prayer in this new house; and many neighbours were present。  Five hymns were sung: brother Carey and Marshman prayed in Bengali。 After this we went under an open shed close to the house; where chairs and mats were provided: here friends and neighbours sat all around。  Brother Carey sat at a table; and after a short introduction; in which he explained the nature of marriage; and noticed the impropriety of the Hindoo customs in this respect; he read 2 Cor。 vi。 14…18; and also the account of the marriage at Cana。 Then he read the printed marriage agreement; at the close of which Krishna Prosad and Onunda; with joined hands; one after the other; promised love; faithfulness; obedience; etc。  They then signed the agreement; and brethren Carey; Marshman; Ward; Chamberlain; Ram Roteen; etc。; signed as witnesses。  The whole was closed with prayer by brother Ward。 Everything was conducted with the greatest decorum; and it was almost impossible not to have been pleased。  We returned home to breakfast; and sent the new…married couple some sugar…candy; plantains; and raisins; the first and last of these articles had been made a present of to us; and the plantains were the produce of the mission garden。  In the evening we attended the monthly prayer…meeting。

〃Apr。 5。This evening we all went to supper at Krishna's; and sat under the shade where the marriage ceremony had been performed。 Tables; knives and forks; glasses; etc。; having been taken from our house; we had a number of Bengali plain dishes; consisting of curry; fried fish; vegetables; etc。; and I fancy most of us ate heartily。 This is the first instance of our eating at the house of our native brethren。  At this table we all sat with the greatest cheerfulness; and some of the neighbours looked on with a kind of amazement。  It was a new and very singular sight in this land where clean and unclean is so much regarded。  We should have gone in the daytime; but were prevented by the heat and want of leisure。  We began this wedding supper with singing; and concluded with prayer: between ten and eleven we returned home with joy。  This was a glorious triumph over the caste!  A Brahman married to a soodra; in the Christian way: Englishmen eating with the married couple and their friends; at the same table; and at a native house。  Allowing the Hindoo c
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