started, and said, if I had uttered such a sentiment in Italy, I should have been burned. He certainly seems sincere, and at one time he lifted up his eyes, and prayed that this man might not convert him, and that God would never suffer the Protestant religion to enter into Italy. His main argument against me was, the disorder and impiety prevalent among the Protestants whom he had an opportunity of observing in Geneva and Leghorn. This disputation has brought us to be quite familiar in our acquaintance; he looked over all my books, and found a French one, called, The Crimes of the Popes,' which he desired to have, but recollected afterward that his coadjutor might see it. I feel a regard for him: he is a serious, unassuming young man." To the Same. "August 1, 1808. "One day this week, on getting up in the morning, I was attacked with a very serious illness. I thought I was leaving this world of sorrow, and, praised be the God of Grace, felt no fear. The rest of the day I was filled with sweet peace of mind, and had near access to God in prayer. What a debt of love and praise do we owe! Yesterday I attempted to examine the women who attended (in number about thirty) in Christian knowledge: they were very shy, and said they could say no prayers but in Portuguese. It appears they were highly incensed, and went away, saying to Joseph, We know a great deal more than your Padre himself.' The services much weakened me after my late attack." To the Same. "August 8, 1808. "I called on the Commander-in-Chief here on Saturday morning, and was received very graciously. I told him that it was a duty we owed to God, as a nation, to erect Churches, and asked whether Lord Minto was disposed to go on with it; to which he re plied in the affirmative. I enlarged on the shame I felt in disputes with the Popish Padre, as often as they threw out reflections on the utter disregard of the Protestants to religion. Julius, the Padre, has been here twice this week, but staid only. a very short time. He began with very great vehemence to assert the necessity of an infallible judge, in order to settle all disputes on religion, and mentioned how much he had been agitated by his last dispute with me: he could do nothing but walk about that night-yet looked up to God and became tranquil. The men are dying in the hospital fast, yet they would rather be sent to Patna for some holy oil, than hear the word of eternal life. Two or three of my evening hearers are in the hospital; one is prepared to die blessed sight! The Persian of St. Mark is to be sent to-morrow, and five chapters of Luke corrected. There is no news from down the stream; but always glad tidings for us from the world above." - To the Same. "August 15, 1808. "Glad am I that we are likely to meet so soon; may it be in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel of Peace. Last week Mahomed Babir, the Mahomedan Lord, and Padre Martino, spent three days here. Little, I am sorry to say, has been done. Sabat did not appear to advantage: instead of speaking about the Gospel to Babir, he was reciting poetry, particu larly his own, and seemed more anxious to gain admirers than converts. We did, however, at last converse about religion; but Mahomed confessed himself an infidel, and required proof for the truth of any religion. Sabat was not prepared for this, so I attempted to speak with Babir upon the nature of probable evidence, but he did not understand me: so this came to noth ing. One day we sat down to dinner before Sabat came, and to our great astonishment he rebuked us with much wrath and pride. With all Babir's gentleness, he rebuked him in his turn, and told him that the Persians and English knew how to behave, but the Arabs did not. Babir was so lavish in his compliments to us all, that it is difficult to get at the truth of his real sentiments; but he praised Sabat's Persian translation to the stars,, which I was glad to hear. As for the poor Padre, with an exterior so imposing that you would think St. Peter was present, he knows nothing at all. I tried him on spiritual things again and again-but he could say nothing. Alas! how fallen from what their fathers were! When shall the Churches of Asia recover their ancient glory? You will see the Nabob and Padre soon I hope. Last Tuesday we sent off the Persian of St. Mark." To the Rev. D. Brown. "September 9, 1808. "Corrie is here, and likely to remain, to my joy : you will have some happy hours together, I doubt not. With all your cares and trials, you claim all the consolation we can give, and you shall have more than that, if we can obtain any thing for you by our prayers. Corrie will bring you but a poor account of my congregation: I am much neglected on all sides, and without the work of translation I should fear my presence in India were useless." To his Sister. "October, 1808. "I deserve your reproof for not having written to you oftener, and am pained at the anxiety I have thoughtlessly occasioned you. I console myself, however, with reflecting that a letter must have reached you a few weeks after you sent your last. I am sorry that I have not good accounts to give of my health; yet no danger is to be apprehended. My services on the Lord's Day leave me always with a pain in the breast, and such a great degree of general relaxation, that I seldom recover it till Tuesday. A few days ago I was attacked with a fever, which, by the mercy of God, lasted but two days. I am now well, but must be more careful for the future. In this debilitating climate the mortal tabernacle is frail indeed: my mind seems as vigorous as ever, but my delicate frame calls soon for relaxation, and I must give it, though unwillingly; for such glorious fields for exertion open all around, that I could with pleasure be employed from morning to night. It seems a providential circumstance, that the work assigned me for the present is that of translation; for had I gone through the villages preaching, as my inclination led me to do, I fear by this time I should have been in a deep decline. In my last I gave you a general idea of my employments. The society still meet every night at my quarters, and though we have lost many by death, others are raised up in their room; one officer, a Lieutenant, is also given to me, and he is not only a brother beloved, but a constant companion and nurse; so you must feel no apprehension that I should be left alone in sickness; neither on any other account should you be uneasy. You know that we must meet no more in this life therefore since, as I trust, we are both the children of God, by faith in Christ Jesus, it becomes a matter of less consequence when we leave this earth. Of the spread of the Gospel in India I can say little, because I hear nothing. Adieu, my dearest sister: let us live in constant prayer for ourselves and the Church." To the Rev. D. Corrie. "October 19, 1808. "I have just come out of my Chapel, where, with my little flock, I have once more resumed my duties. The infrequency of my appearance among them of late has thinned them considerably, and this effect, which I foresaw, is one of the most painful and lamentable consequences of my withdrawing from them; but it is unavoidable, if I wish to prolong my life. My danger is from the lungs; though none of you seem to apprehend it. One complete service at church does more to consume my strength and spirits than six days of the hardest study or bodily labour. Pray for me, my dear brother, that I may neither be rash nor indolent." To the Rev D. Corrie. "October 24, 1805. "You mention a letter enclosed, but none came. The intelligence, however, intended to be conveyed by it, met my delighted eyes. Thomason too coming! This is good. Praise be to the Lord of the harvest for sending out labourers! Behold how the prayers of the Society at Calcutta have been heard. I hope they will continue their supplications, for we want more yet, and it may please God yet further to bless us. You cannot leave Calcutta by the middle of November, and must therefore apply for one month's extension of leave. But you are unwilling to leave your flock, and I do not wonder, as I see my sheep dispersed grievously during my absence. Uncertain when I may come among them, they seldom come at all, except the ten or twelve who meet one another. My morning congregation increases as the cold weather advances, and yesterday there seemed to be a considerable impression. I spoke in a low tone of voice, and therefore did not feel much fatigue; but after the Hindoostanee service I was very weak, but at night tolerably strong again. On the whole, my expectations of life return. May the days thus prolonged be entirely His who continues them! and may my work not only move on delightfully, but with a more devout and serious spirit! You are too many happy brethren together for me to mention all; suffice it to say, that my heart is with you, daily prays for blessings upon you all." The early part of the year 1809 produced no variation in the life of Mr. Martyn, until the month of |