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！
nt for the accommodation of visitors who came to see us； but as those who visited us on business were entertained at Brother Marshman's； it appeared to be the most eligible method to provide for the entertainment of other visitors there also； but at that time Brother Marshman had not a decent table for persons of the above description to sit down to。 We； therefore； voted him a sum to enable him to provide such articles as were necessary to entertain them with decency； and I am not aware that he has been profuse； or that he has provided anything not called for by the rules of propriety。 I have no doubt but Brother Ward can enumerate and describe all these articles of furniture。 It is； however； evident that you must be very imperfect judges of their necessity； unless you could at the same time form a just estimate of the circumstances in which we stand。 It ought also to be considered that all these articles are public property； and always convertible into their full value in cash。 I hope； however； that things are not yet come to that pass； that a man who； with his wife； has for nineteen or twenty years laboured night and day for the mission； who by their labour disinterestedly contribute between 2000 and 3000 rupees monthly to it； and who have made sacrifices which； if others have not seen； Brother Ward and I have；sacrifices which ought to put to the blush all his accusers； who； notwithstanding their cries against him； have not only supported themselves； but also have set themselves up in a lucrative business at the Society's expense； and who； even to this day； though they have two prosperous schools； and a profitable printing…office； continue to receive their monthly allowance； amounting （including Miss Chaffin's） to 700 rupees a month from the Society； I feel indignant at their outcry on the subject of expense； and I say； merely as a contrast to their conduct； So did not Brother Marshman。 Surely things are not come to that pass； that he or any other brother must give an account to the Society of every plate he uses； and every loaf he cuts。
〃Till a very few years ago we had no vehicle except a single horse chaise for me to go backwards and forwards to Calcutta。 That was necessarily kept on the opposite side of the river； and if the strength of the horse would have borne it； could not have been used for the purposes of health。 Sister Marshman was seized with a disease of the liver； a disease which proves fatal in three cases out of four。 Sister Ward was ill of the same disorder； and both of them underwent a long course of mercurial treatment； as is usual in that disease。 Exercise was considered by the physicians as of the first importance； and we certainly thought no expense too great to save the valuable lives of our sisters。 A single horse chaise； and an open palanquin； called a Tonjon； were procured。 I never ride out for health； but usually spend an hour or two； morning and evening； in the garden。 Sister Ward was necessitated to visit England for hers。 Brother Ward had a saddle horse presented to him by a friend。 My wife has a small carriage drawn by a man。 These vehicles were therefore almost exclusively used by Brother Marshman's family。 When our brethren arrived from England they did not fail to put this equipage into the account against Brother Marshman。 They now keep three single horse chaises； besides palanquins； but we do not think they keep more than are necessary。
〃Brother Marshman retains for the school a French master； a music master； and a drawing master。 The expenses of these are amply repaid by the school； but Brother Marshman's children； and all those belonging to the family； have the advantage of their instructions。 Brother Marshman's children are； however； the most numerous； and envy has not failed to charge him with having retained them all for the sake of his own children。 Surely a man's caring for his family's health and his children's education is； if a crime； a venial one； and ought not to be held up to blacken his reputation。 Brother Marshman is no more perfect than other men； partakers like him of the grace of God。 His natural bias and habits are his own； and differ as much from those of other men as theirs differ from one another。 I do not deny that he has an inclination to display his children to advantage。 This； however； is a foible which most fond parents will be inclined to pardon。 I wish I had half his piety； energy of mind； and zeal for the cause of God。 These excellencies； in my opinion； so far overbalance all his defects that I am constrained to consider him a Christian far above the common run。 I must now close this defence of Brother Marshman by repeating that all matters of furniture； convenience； etc。； are things belonging to the economy of the station at Serampore； and that no one beside ourselves has the smallest right to interfere therewith。 The Calcutta brethren are now acting on the same principle； and would certainly repel with indignation any attempt made by us to regulate their affairs。
〃I have said that 'I never ride out for the sake of health'； and it may therefore be inquired； 'Why are vehicles； etc。； for the purpose of health more necessary for the other members of the family than for you？' I reply that my health is in general good； and probably much benefited by a journey to and from Calcutta two or three times a week。 I have also a great fondness for natural science； particularly botany and horticulture。 These； therefore； furnish not only exercise； but amusement for me。 These amusements of mine are not； however； enjoyed without expense； any more than those of my brethren； and were it not convenient for Brother Marshman's accusers to make a stepping…stone of me； I have no doubt but my collection of plants； aviary； and museum； would be equally impeached as articles of luxury and lawless expenses； though； except the garden； the whole of these expenses are borne by myself。
〃John Marshman is admitted a member of the union； but he had for some time previously thereto been a member of the church。 I perceive plainly that all your objections to him have been excited by the statements of the Calcutta brethren； which you certainly ought to receive with much caution in all things which regard Bother Marshman and his family。 You observe that the younger brethren especially look up to me with respect and affection。 It may be so； but I confess I have frequently thought that； had it been so； they would have consulted me； or at least have mentioned to me the grounds of their dissatisfaction before they proceeded to the extremity of dividing the mission。 When I engaged in the mission； it was a determination that； whatever I suffered； a breach therein should never originate with me。 To this resolution I have hitherto obstinately adhered。 I think everything should be borne； every sacrifice made； and every method of accommodation or reconciliation tried； before a schism is suffered to take place。。。
〃I disapprove as much of the conduct of our Calcutta brethren as it is possible for me to disapprove of any human actions。 The evil they have done is； I fear； irreparable； and certainly the whole might have been prevented by a little frank conversation with