two windows, and dragged out his writing table, which contained the deeds of the premises and other valuable writings; and thence, to the opposite room where he opened the windows, and took out the shelves containing their accounts from the beginning of the mission. This last attempt was in the face of the flames; and before it was fully accomplished, the whole building, two hundred feet in length and forty in breadth, was a sheet of fire. About midnight the roof fell in.

It was very providential that the adjoining buildings, some of which were within twelve feet of the office, were not burnt. The wind, which had been high, went down; and the blaze ascended in a straight line, like a fire on the hearth. When it became evident that the conflagration would extend no farther, all the members of the mission family, old and young, sat down in the front of the office, and continued till near two in the morning pouring their griefs into each other's bos

om.

The loss was immense, whether the nature or value of the articles be considered. To mention a few. Besides all the furniture of the printing office, there were founts of types in fifteen different languages, 1,500 reams of paper, 55,000 sheets printed and not folded, books to the amount of 5,000 rupees, manuscripts to the value of 7,000, all the materials for a polyglot dictionary of the languages derived from the Sungskrit in preparing which Dr. Carey had been employed many years, three manuscript copies which had taken Dr. Carey and Mr. Marshman a year to prepare, parts of the translation of the Scriptures in several languages, and the correspondence of the missionaries from the commencement of their labours. The whole loss amounted at least to 60,000 rupees or 33,000 dollars.*

The care of Providence was still conspicuous amidst this disaster. The presses were all saved. A paper mill, with the matrices, moulds, and apparatus for type

* Baptist Period. Acc. Vol. IV.—passim.

foundery, were secure in a building adjoining; and in clearing away the rubbish, to their inexpressible joy, the missionaries found the steel punches of all the oriental languages, to the amount of 4,000, which it would have taken years to replace. Thus they were able to resume the casting of types within a fortnight after the fire; and with their usual activity, they had in the course of a few months eight versions of the Scriptures again in the press. Money only was wanting, nor was this wanting long. More than 40,000 dollars is said to have been raised in England in about eight weeks after the news of the conflagration was received; a considerable sum was likewise raised in Bengal; and in America about 7,000 dollars.* Thus this dispensation, so dark, was almost immediately cleared up. The wisdom and goodness of God were conspicuous in taking this method, not only to show the missionaries their dependance, but to awaken a deeper and more extended interest in their work among different denominations, and in different parts of the world, than would otherwise have been felt. The burning of that office, was a light by which the mission stood revealed in all its magnitude and all its import

ance.

CHAPTER III.

View of the different stations-Expenses--Missionaries -Converts-Translations--Prospects of the Mission. OWING to the peculiar manner in which the Baptists prosecute their missions, the strict union which subsists between the different parts of the system, all their stations form but one general establishment, of which Serampore is the centre. It is therefore unnecessary to enter into the particular history of the individual

*Christian Observer Vol. II.

stations. Still the true state of the mission-the amount of good effected, cannot be understood without a glance at the several parts of the great machine, which is renovating India. We shall take a general view of the different stations according to their geographical situation, beginning with

CALCUTTA. From the first arrival of the Baptist brethren in India, they have laboured more or less among the inhabitants (especially the European inhabitants) of Calcutta. Their success has been considerable. When they began to meet for prayer in that large and populous city, not more than three or four attended: and when they began to preach, not more than ten. But the congregations increased until it was found necessary to erect a chapel, which was done in 1808, principally by private subscription. A charity school was likewise established for boys, and another for girls; and a school house erected near the chapel capable of containing eight hundred children. A very considerable part of the additions to the church at Serampore, for several years past, have been from Cal

cutta.

Nor has the Gospel been confined to the European inhabitants. Kristno, the first native preacher, was fixed in this city, and became very useful among his countrymen. His whole soul was in the work, and his amiable, upright conduct commanded the esteem even of those who did not love his religion. Besides preaching to the debtors in jail, and to the thieves in the house of correction, he visited from house to house, shunning no labour, and sparing no fatigue. He flew like a seraph wherever duty called him.

Sebukram, another native convert, was also a very zealous and active labourer in Calcutta. He often preached from morning till night to his poor ignorant countrymen. There were no less than twelve or fourteen places where he regularly dispensed the word every week, and at some of these he had considerable audiences. Some other natives have lately been em

ployed here, and the truth continues to make sensible progress. A considerable change is effected in the moral character of this city.

VANS-VARIYA. Passing Serampore, about thirty miles north of Calcutta on the banks of the Hoogly, is Vans-variya, where are two natives, teaching a school, supporting themselves and instructing their countrymen in religion. It is believed a small church is formed, with one of the natives Mut-hoora for pastor; and is the first native church standing alone, and raising a pastor from its own bosom.

CUTWA is still north on the same river, seventy five miles from Calcutta. We have mentioned the forming of this station by Mr. Chamberlain, in 1814. Besides establishing schools, this faithful, though afflicted missionary, preached the word with much success; and two native preachers were raised up by his instrumentality. After he left the station it was occupied by Mr. William Carey, with whom are now four native assistants. A gentleman who lately visited this station remarks, "Never was my faith in the mission raised so much as since I have been at Cutwa. All I see and all I hear tends to confirm me in the idea, that Satan's kingdom in this country will soon be diminished."

BERHAMPORE. Farther north and west 120 miles from Calcutta, we find Berhampore. Mr. Chamberlain, while at Cutwa, made frequent excursions to this place, and preached with effect to the soldiers. Of the regiment last stationed here, three were baptized at Serampore, who became so active among their com rades that no less than twenty one were added to their number, of whom one was chosen to watch over them in the Lord. Though the soldiers are now removed, the station is occupied by a country-born* preacher, assisted by two natives.

JESSORE. East of the station already mentioned, seventy seven miles from Calcutta, is the district of

* Such as have a native mother.

Jessore. The mission here has four branches, about thirty miles apart. The Brethren at Serampore early visited the district, and it was not long before some of the inhabitants were baptized. On account of their

distance, they were formed into a distinct church and were visited monthly by one of the native itinerants. The first established on this circuit was Carapeit Aratoon, an Armenian christian baptized at Serampore. William Thomas, country-born, is now stationed there with three native assistants. Some instances of recent conversion.

CHITTAGONG lies eastward still, on the borders of the vast forest which separates Bengal from the Burman empire, two hundred and thirty miles from Calcutta. This station was first taken by Mr. Bruyn in 1812. He has been successful in gaining the confidence of the Mugs, a people so uncivilized that they retreated to the mountains on his first approach. He has distributed books among them. At one time, when fifteen of them together called for books, he read to them the 55th Chap. of Isaiah. They said, "This is true, the Lord sought us when we asked not for him, and found us when we sought him not." A principal Mug soon after threw his idols into the fire.* Mr. Bruyn, in 1816, had baptized thirty three.

GOAMALTY. In the northern part of Bengal are several stations; we begin with Goamalty, about two hundred miles north of Calcutta. Mr. Mardon, after his return from Burmah, was appointed to Goamalty. This place and the vicinity had sustained a severe loss in the death of two pious gentlemen who were silently endeavouring to prepare the way for the diffusion of Christian knowledge by the establishment of schools. among the natives.t

Connected with Mr. Mardon was Mr. Rowe, who was stationed at Munoharree. Mr. Mardon had soon

+ One of them, Mr. Grant, at his death bequeathed to the Bap

tist mission 20,000 rupees or 11,000 dollars.