MISSIONARY CORRESPONDENCE: 
 
 CONTAINING 
 
 Cjrtracts of i^etters 
 
 FROM THE LATE 
 
 Mr. SAMUEL PEARCE, 
 
 TO THE 
 
 MISSIONARIES IN INDIA, 
 
 J Between the Years 1794, and 1798; 
 
 AND FROM 
 
 Mr. JOHN THOMAS, 
 
 From 1798, to 1800. 
 
 
 Ponton : 
 
 PRINTED FOR T. GARDINER AND SON, PRINCES STREET, 
 ' CAVENDISH SQUARE ; 
 
 AND SOLD BY ALL THE OTHER BOOKSELLERS. 
 
 J.O. Fuller, Printer, Kettering. 
 
 PRICE TWO SHILLINGS AND SIXPENCE. 
 
 . 1814 , 
 
ERRATA. 
 
 Page 42, Hue 9, for Tinder, read Trinder. 
 
 73, 4 from bottom, for state, read a state. 
 
 79, 9, for that, read than. 
 

 
 
 
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 HE interest excited by the letters of 
 Mr. Pearce and Mr. Thomas, has in- 
 duced onr friends at Seranipore to look 
 ' over their papers, and to send us copies 
 of such as had been addressed to them. 
 Those who have read the “ Memoirs 
 of Mr. Pearce, and the Periodical 
 Accounts of the Baptist Mission, need 
 not be told that the letters of both 
 these excellent men were distino;uished 
 
 o 
 
 by the devotional and experimental spirit 
 
M'hich they breathed. This is the only 
 reason for publishing- them. Those who 
 feel an interest in the work of God 
 amongst the heathen, will take pleasure 
 in reviewing the hopes, fears, cares, 
 and tender anxieties of its earliest 
 friends. 
 
 It was observed in the Memoirs of 
 Mr. Pearce, “We are influenced in 
 our correspondence by the turn of mind 
 of the person we address. If we write 
 to a humourous character, we shall 
 generally find that what we write, per- 
 haps without being conscious of it, will 
 be interspersed with pleasantries : or if 
 to one of a very serious cast, our letters 
 will be more serious than usual. On 
 this principle it has been thought we may • 
 form some judgment of our own spirit by 
 the spirit in which our friends address 
 
vu 
 
 US. These remarks will apply with 
 singular propriety to the correspondence 
 of Mr. Pearce. In looking; over the 
 first Volume of Periodical Accounts, the 
 reader wdll easily perceive the most 
 affectionate letters from the 3Iissionaries 
 are those which are addressed to him.’' 
 If these remarks were just, Letters, 
 the greater part of which were written 
 from Pearce to Carey, cannot fail of 
 being acceptable to the friends of genuine, 
 serious, and affectionate Christianity. 
 It may be necessary to request the in- 
 dulgence of the reader in consideration 
 of the letters not having; been WTitten 
 with any view to publication. 
 
 Kettermg, Nov. 1, 1814. 
 

 \ 
 
 Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2016 
 
 T 
 
 m , . 
 
 https://archive.org/details/missionaryc6rres00pear 
 

 To Mr. THOMAS and Mr. CAREY. 
 
 Kettering, May 26, 1794. 
 
 My dear Brethren, 
 
 Where you now are, where this may 
 find you, or whether it will ever reach you, 
 I know not; but be your present sojourning 
 where it may, whether at Tranquebar,' Cal- 
 cutta, Makla, or elsewhere, I feel the most 
 affectionate attachment to your persons, and 
 the highest degree of concern for your 
 prosperity. Nor am I singular; the message 
 you took to the Christian brethren in Hiu- 
 doostan, I may now convey to yourselves, 
 and say, “thousands of prayers have been, 
 and still are, offered unto God on your 
 behalf.” A more convincing proof of our 
 
 B 
 
2 
 
 regard we cannot give you; nor, I am 
 persuaded, do yon desire. O my dear, dear 
 brethren, onr separate prayers will be ex- 
 changed ere long for united praises, whilst 
 our hearts glow with an ardour of gratitude 
 and joy now unknown. What a motive is 
 this to our always abounding in the work 
 of the Lord! Our reward will be great; 
 our time both for working and suffering is 
 but short; but the importance of the object 
 we all pursue is infinite. — You, brethren, are 
 called to the most arduous part of this 
 important service; but I doubt not you find 
 in Asia what we do in Europe, that “ God 
 is faithful who hath called you to partnership 
 (Koivwvui) with his Son Jesus Christ,” and gives 
 you strength equal to your day. I long to 
 hear of and from you, and with anxious ex- 
 pectation wait for some taccounts from India. 
 We have had the pleasure of hearing of Mrs. 
 Thomas’s safe arrival, and of the respect 
 shewn her there by many persons, esj)ecially 
 Mrs. G. U. for this we are not unthankful; 
 it gives present pleasure, and we hope is a 
 token of future good. 
 
 1 have often regretted that I answered 
 neither of your last letters — My oidy resLsmx 
 
3 
 
 was, a fear lest my answers should come 
 too late, and fall into the hands of some 
 to whose inspection I should not like to have 
 them submitted. — In this light I hope you 
 viewed it; and did not attribute it to any 
 want of afl’ection or respect. 
 
 JMany things have transpired since you 
 left us, which I should have taken a plea- 
 sure in communicating, had you no other 
 medium of intelligence ; but brother Fuller 
 has rendered this needless, by the detail of 
 occurrences which he is prepared to give you; 
 and nothing is so tedious as a twice toid tale. 
 A few articles, iiowever, he may have omitted, ' 
 or if twice told may be of importance enough 
 to forbid disgust. 
 
 Oar Mission Society has been the means 
 of provoking other Christians to love and 
 good works. An Association is formed by 
 the IndejK.'udent ])rethien in V/arwickshire, 
 for the propagation of the gospel in that 
 county, and if possible among the Heathen 
 too. It goes on with spirit and promises 
 success. I preached a Sermon for them about 
 a fortnight ago, fi’om Gal. v. 13 — ''By love 
 serve one another;' and put my people’s 
 
4 
 
 generosity again to the test. It gave me 
 pleasure to find that at the doors £lJ. 149. 3rf. 
 ^vas collected for them : I hope it ^vill be 
 a means of uniting us more firmly in the 
 common cause. Another Association was 
 formed December 11, 1793, at Kidderminster, 
 of seven churches in Worcestershire, for the 
 purpose of promoting evangelical truth and 
 union. One of their resolutions is: — “ 77/A 
 Association shall he composed only of ministers 
 and congregational churches in the county 
 of Worcester, who profess Calvinistic senti- 
 ments and admit of free communion. Of 
 these seven ministers, two are Baptists, and 
 five Indejiendents. 
 
 The resolutions both of the Warwickshire 
 and Worcestershire Associations are in print. 
 To the former is added a large extract from 
 brother Carey’s account of the state of tlie 
 world, &c. Were I at home 1 would send 
 you a copy of both these publications, not 
 doubting but you would derive considerable 
 pleasure from a perusal ; but I am now' at 
 Kettering, and ])reached yesterday for brother 
 F., who is in London, — a successful pleader 
 for the Heathen, and the Society formed 
 for their spiritual ad\antage. I will desire 
 
5 
 
 him to procure them for you in London, if 
 possible, and hope he will succeed. 
 
 We have had a considerable work of God 
 to rejoice in at Cannon-street the last winter: 
 many have been converted unto God, and 
 professed his name. Nor are other churches 
 without occasion for praise : eight have been 
 added at Arnsby; twelve I baptized at Lei- 
 cester; and seven more I hear are about to 
 join the dear people in Harvey-lane soon. A 
 young man from our church at Birmingham, 
 has been preaching to them for above six 
 months, and has accepted an invitation for 
 six more. He is generally approved, and 
 two of those baptized on the 20th of last 
 month were called under his ministry. The 
 congregation also is upon the increase, and 
 the prospect is at present very encouraging. 
 The sermon i preached on the morning of 
 baptism, at the request of the church, is 
 now in the press; but I fear will not be 
 out time enough to admit the sending a 
 few copies with this letter. 
 
 At Walgrave there are near twenty young 
 people under hopeful concern. Some have 
 been added at Northampton since brother 
 
0 
 
 Ryland has removed to Bristol, Avhere he 
 was formally settled the week before last: 
 he is to spend some time with his friends 
 at College-lane after the Association; and 
 I hear that seven candidates are waiting to 
 receive baptism by his hands. At Clienies 
 too, and at J^ari's Barion, (where Mr. 
 Shrewsbury was ordained over a congregation 
 last Thursday,) and other places, the dear 
 Redeemer’s cause appears to be considerably 
 advancing. What reason have we to praise 
 the Lord and give thanks to his holy name! 
 
 I forgot whether Guilsborough meeting-house 
 was destroyed by some incendiaries before 
 you sailed or not: be that as it may, a very 
 good house, capable of containing six hundred 
 people, was opened last Wednesday fortnight: 
 brother Sutcliff and I preached — I, from 
 “ The wrath of man shall praise thee." — He, 
 from ‘‘‘Save 7iow, 1 beseech thee, O Lord, 
 O Lord, J beseech thee, se?id now prosperity.'^ 
 It was a solemn and delightful day: brother 
 2>lundel preached at night from Judges v. 
 31; and 1 again, to above 200 j^eople, the 
 next morning at five o’clock. I recollect 
 nothing more but what brother F. has written 
 fur your informaticn aiready, and have 
 
therefore only to add tlie strongest assurancess 
 of my fraternai regard, and desire of hearing 
 from you soon. Do give my love to brethren 
 Ram Ram, and Parbotce . — It would give 
 me great pleasure if you would prevail on 
 the former, (by profession a scribe,) to write 
 me; but 1 must get you to English it 
 before it is sent olf. I confess there is 
 
 something of fancy in the request; but I 
 think more of brotherly love. The idea of 
 an epistle from a pious Hindoo will be pe- 
 culiarly gratifying; and perhaps a means of 
 serving the good cause, by opening the hearts, 
 well as convincing the judgmeiits, of some, 
 whose assistance in this good work may 
 be solicited. I must conclude, because the 
 gentleman who takes this for me to London 
 is about setting off. My wife and children 
 are well. Mrs. W. joins me in atfectionate 
 remembrance to Mrs. Thomas, Mrs. C., and 
 both families. — Adieu, my dear bretliren, pray 
 for me, and do not forget me when an 
 opportunity offers for sending to England. ' 
 
 I am, most affectionately, 
 
 Tours in the dear Redeemer, 
 
 8. PEARCE. 
 
8 
 
 To Mr. THOMAS and Mr. CAREY 
 
 Binningliam, July 24, 1794. 
 
 My very dear Brethren, 
 
 It has rejoiced all our hearts to hear that 
 you arrived safe in India, although the in- 
 formation would have afforded double joy 
 had it been conveyed by letters from your- 
 selves. All we knew for certainty till yes- 
 
 terday was, that the Princessa Maria had 
 passed the Downs on her return to Denmark. 
 Long we waited, and many letters of inquiry 
 passed between brethren Ryland, Fuller, &c. 
 the substance of which was. Have you heard 
 from India? All answered. No ! At last I 
 got Mr. Potts, who does business with the 
 Captain, to write to him about you. Yesterday 
 X received the joyful news that he “landed 
 you all in perfect good health.” I sat up all 
 night to copy his letter for the satisfaction of 
 various interested brethren ; and now I have 
 but five minutes left to write to you. What 
 shall I say, dear brethren? We love you 
 
9 
 
 ill the bowels of Clirist, and we ardently 
 pray for you every day. Our closets, our 
 families, our stated and occasional meetings, 
 always witness our supplications for your 
 ]>eace, health, prudence, fortitude, perse- 
 verance, ainl success. Not knowing where 
 you were, brother Fuller, who was in 
 London, collecting this year, sent £50. of 
 goods for your use at a venture. We only 
 want to know your i ecessities in order to 
 supply them: but why have you net written 
 at least to one of us? Perhaps you have 
 before now: but the three first homeward- 
 bound East Indiarnan this season have been 
 captured by the French. Do write 
 more ships than one, and tell us all about 
 your work and wages. The cause of Christ 
 in England has not experienced much alter- 
 ation since you left it. In some churches 
 the Sun of Righteousness shines ; in others, 
 a wintry gloom prevails. Leicester church is, 
 without excejrtion, the most prosperous in 
 the whole Association. Seventeen have been 
 lately added. But what rose grows without 
 it’s thorn ? Dear Mr. P. died about a 
 month since, after three weeks illness. At 
 Birmingham I have baptized about sixty in 
 the last twelve months, 
 c 
 
10 
 
 I can only say, iny wife joins in the 
 most affectionate regards to both of you 
 and yours. Do, my dear, dear Brethren, 
 write very soon, to 
 
 Your affectionate. 
 
 Though unworthy Brother, 
 
 S. PEARCE. 
 
11 
 
 To Mr. CAREY. 
 
 Birmingham, August 9, 1794. 
 
 3/j/ ve)'^ dear Brother, 
 
 It was but a day or two after I had 
 written my last letters, that I had the 
 inexpressible joy of receiving yours, dated, 
 Bay of Bengal, and Calcutta. That moment 
 more than compensated for all the anxieties 
 which my affection for you, and concern 
 for the prosperity of the good cause in 
 wi'iich you have embarked, had created. 
 Yes, the harvest already begins to be ga- 
 thered in ; and though, in some respects, I, 
 with my bretliren here, went forth weeping, 
 now 1 bear my s’neaves, rejoicing in prospect 
 of a still larger crop. I need not acquaint 
 you, that last Monday, the Committee, with 
 other warm friends to the Mission, met at 
 Guilsborough. Brother Fuller’s letter will 
 render all that information mere tautology. 
 The accounts you gave us inspired us with 
 
12 
 
 new vigour, and greatly strengthened our 
 hands in the Lord, We read, and wept, 
 and praised, and prayed. O ! who hut the 
 Christian feels such pleasures as are con- 
 nected with friendship for our dear Lord 
 Jesus Christ? Were there no hereafter, my 
 dying breath should praise him, for giving 
 me a heart decidedly for him and his glo- 
 rious cause on earth. May my whole life 
 be spent for Him ! Oil feel, indeed 1 
 feel, that nothing is worth living for but his 
 glory, and the good of his church. 1 hope 
 I feel a daily conviction, that I am a mere 
 atom in creation^ — less than nothing, and 
 vanity : yet, with all my conscious mean- 
 
 ness and unworthiness, I cannot help feeling 
 myself dignified in my relation to the Son 
 of God ; and the highest ambition of my 
 heart is to do something for him while I 
 live. There is no j>art of my life which I 
 reflect on with so much pleasure, as that 
 Avhich has been spent in behalf of the 
 Society under whose patronage you are; 
 and thrice hapj)v should I be, were the 
 path of duty plain, if I could personally 
 share the tods and pleasuies of the Mission 
 with you. At times I indulge a hope that 
 my Lord will put me in a similar station; 
 
1:3 
 
 but then again I think, He well knows 
 that I am inadequate to a task so arduous. 
 Well, ’tis his to appoint — mine to acquiesce, 
 submit, and obey. 1 trust, whenever or 
 wherever he calls, 1 shall have grace im- 
 mediately to say, ‘ Speak, Lord, for thy 
 servant heareth.’ It is our mercy, my 
 Brother, that he chuses our inheritance for 
 us : he knows best onr fitness for the 
 various posts in his spiritual kingdom ; and 
 so that we are but where he would have 
 us, and doii;g what he bids us, we may 
 rejoice in the common hope, that he will 
 at last say to us all, ‘ \l'ell done.’ 
 
 Last Lord’s-clay 1 read a part of your 
 letter trom the pulpit. it would have done 
 joa good had you seen the effects. It 
 made the lame to leap as an hart, and 
 caused the tongue of the dumb to sing! 
 The following evening being the* monthly 
 prayer-meeting, a crowd of Christians came 
 to testify their joy and gratitude ; and you 
 may assure yourselves, that you have the 
 prayers of the thousands of the Israel of 
 God. Next Monday morning I purpose 
 leaving Birmingham, for five or six weeks, 
 on a journey to my friends in Devonshire. 
 
14 
 
 It is now long past tlie hour of midnight, 
 and lo-inoiTOw, or rather this day, is our 
 ordinance day. 1 mention this to account 
 for my not Avriting you two or three sheets 
 of paper, as I should, had I time, rejoice 
 to do. Few occiarrences have taken place 
 in the circle of our acquaintance since my 
 last. At Sutton-in-tiic-Elms, a voung map 
 from Bristol was ordained a few (!ays ago. 
 Brother Kylaiul gave the diarge — Brother 
 Fuller adtlressed the j)eople — I spoke at 
 night. It was a good day. The young 
 man from our church is to Ije ordainecl 
 over your dear friends at Leicester on the 
 21st of 8e[)tenihcr. He has been, and is 
 likely to he useful there: twenty-live persons, 
 1 think, have been ba]>tized within the last 
 live iiionths, and more are on the way. 
 At Birmingham tlie Lord lias iibt foisaken 
 US. 1 inclose two copies of the Sermon 1 
 preached at Leicester — one for yourself, tlie 
 other for .Mr. d lian as. ilml I more time, 
 (for it was n< t till this eieniug that I had 
 notice of your goods going so soon,) J would 
 {lave made up a hii'ger packet. The Society 
 have \oted }on a Poiygott Bible and Malay 
 Testament, liotii of whieh liroth.er B’ullcr 
 has procured.. , Do write often; and he as 
 
particular as to your progress as your con- 
 venience will admit ; especially give us sucii 
 things respecting the natives, their customs, 
 shasters, and attention to the gospel, as 
 are likely to interest Europeans. A few 
 extracts of this kind from your letters will 
 go a wonderful way in procuring support 
 to the Gociety, and greatly facilitate our 
 applications for the public benevolence. One 
 well-attested fact goes further than a hundred 
 speculations, however pious and promising. 
 My, and my dear Mrs. P.’s, affectionate 
 wishes attend all your family. I hope you 
 will tell the Society ail your wants. No 
 exertions on our part shall be wanting to 
 make your situation comfortable. I rejoice 
 that you and Mr. T. love one another. 
 The God of love and peace be with you 
 always. 
 
 I am, 
 
 My dear Brother, 
 
 Witli the most unfeigned respect and affection. 
 Your unworthy Brother, 
 
 In our dear Lord Jesus, 
 
 S. PE/^RCE. 
 
IG 
 
 To Mv. CAREY. 
 
 Birniinghani, October 24, 1794. 
 
 My dear, dear Brother, 
 
 Nev ER did I take pen in hand with 
 such a combination of interesting feelings 
 before. Love for your person, respect for 
 your character, joy at your prospects, gra- 
 titude for your coinniunications, desire for 
 your success, and withal a hope that we 
 shall yet meet in the desh, so variously 
 affect me, that I can scarcely compose 
 myself to write at all. 
 
 Blessed be the God and Father of our 
 Lord Jesus Christ, who inclined your heart 
 to undertake his cause among the heathen — 
 a cause which European Christians may blush 
 that they have neglected so long. But I hope 
 the day is dawning when we shall ail feel 
 and sing as angels — ‘ Peace on earth, and 
 good will to men.’ We have indeed been 
 
17 
 
 seeking every man his own things, not the 
 things of others. Ah, cursed self! how 
 have Christians been bowing down to thy 
 altar, forgetful that true philanthropy is a 
 leading feature of that religion which they 
 profess, and of the character of him v, hose 
 name they bear. We talk of morals, whilst 
 our neglect of the duties of the second table 
 too pl uidy demonstrate that we have im- 
 bibed but a small portion of the spirit of 
 the tirst. We abide the greatest part of 
 our lives beneath the power of tlie common 
 lelliargy, and if perchance a desire ever rises 
 in our bosom for the good of others, we 
 congratulate ourselves on our superior love 
 for mankind, and dose, and dose, snd dose 
 again, whilst millions of immortal souls, as 
 precious as our own, drop into hell without 
 an effort for their salvation. Ah, whither is 
 the apostolic spirit ded? Unlike the translated 
 Projihet who bequeathed a double portion of 
 his spirit to his successor, the Apostle of the 
 Gentiles and his cotemporaries, seem to have 
 taken all their heroism, aflbction, zeal, 
 greatness of design, and comprehension of 
 effort with them to the skies, whilst we 
 exist to gaze at what we scarce hope ever 
 to obtain. But why? where is the Lord God 
 r> 
 
18 
 
 of Elijah? Where is the Lord God of Paid? 
 Still he is near unto ns, ready to animate with 
 equal ardour the bosom of every faithful 
 soldier who is willing- to obey the injunctions 
 of his Lord. You, my brother, have caught 
 the falling mantle; but we in Europe are ready 
 to ask “ Hast thou not a blessing for us also ? 
 Shall we not share the pains and pleasures, 
 the conflicts and the conquests of our distant 
 brethren. Who denies us the privilege? 
 What forbids our standing in the same rank 
 with them, and enjoying the honour of the 
 foremost in the charge of Immanuel's troops 
 upon the infernal powers among the heathen? 
 Brother, I long to stand by your side, and 
 participate in ail the vicissitudes of the attack: 
 an attack which nothing but cowardice can 
 make unsuccessful — yes, the Captain of our 
 salvation marches at our head. Sometimes 
 he may withdraw his presence, (but not 
 his power,) to try our process with our 
 spiritual arms and celestial armour. O what 
 cannot a lively faith do for the Christian 
 soldier! It will bring the Deliverer from the 
 skies ; it w ill array him as with a vesture 
 dipt in blood; it will ]>lace him in the front 
 of the battle, and put a new song into our 
 iiioulhs — “ These made w ar w ith the Lamb 
 
19 
 
 but the Lamb shall overcome them.” Yes 
 he shali— the victoiy is sure before \^e enter 
 the held ; the crown is already pre|>ared to . 
 adorn our brows, even that crown of glory 
 which fadeth not away; and already we 
 have resolved what to do Avith it. We will 
 lay it at the coiM|ueror’s feet and say, “Not 
 unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to thy 
 name give glory,” Avhile all heaven unites in 
 the ehorus, “Worthy the Lamb.” 
 
 Whither hath the subject of the conversion 
 of the heathen world led me? Forgive the 
 style, so much more like that of a declaimer 
 than a correspondent ; but I feel the immense 
 magnitude of iua^ subject and, (as a brother 
 :Mi nister in an inclosed pamphlet says,) i 
 must write Avhat I feel. I will try to Ije 
 more composed Avhilst I unbosom myself, 
 (at 15,000 miles’ distance,) to one whom I so 
 dearly love in the bowels of Christ Jesus. 
 
 IN either of us has forgot a conversation 
 a little before you left us on the exercises 
 of my mind respecting an effort for the 
 spread of the gospel in foreign lands, which 
 for ten years noAv have more or less at- 
 tended me. I cannot forget your prediction. 
 
20 
 
 with which the conversation ended, — “Well, 
 you will come after us.” From that time to 
 the present, the desire has been increasing 
 with scarce any intermission, except when 
 spiritual things have been at a low ebb 
 with me ; but for several weeks past I have 
 been too full to contain, and I resolved to 
 come to a point either about going or 
 staying. For this purpose, I first attentively 
 considered my situation in every relation at 
 home, and the duty of Ministers arising 
 from the general commission of our Lord, 
 together with the disproportion of means to 
 the multitude of mankind ; and I concluded 
 that it was my duty to join hands with 
 you in your great and laudable undertaking. 
 I expected opposition from many Cj[uarters: 
 I thought 1 would take every prudent step 
 to know the mind of God, and therefore, 
 secondiy determined, that after setting apart 
 a certain day in every week for some weeks, 
 on purpose to j)ray, with fasting, to God 
 for his direction, and examining the matter 
 (HI every side, 1 would, (if the same views 
 remained or were confirmed,) lay the case 
 before the Society, and leave it with them 
 to decide, resolving in the strength of God 
 to abide by their judguient. The time I 
 
21 
 
 proposed to wait is now nearly expired. I 
 have met with heart-breaking trials of a 
 domestic nature since I made known my 
 inclination; but 1 thank God I faint not, 
 and every day more fully convinces me 
 that I ought to go. Now as I mean to 
 adhere to my plan, I have not yet acquainted 
 the Society with my views. There is a 
 meeting at Road, on the T2th of November, 
 J794. That opportunity / intend to em- 
 brace, God willing, and then whether my 
 Master will count me worthy of so high a 
 calling, or whetlier his providence may 
 check my temerity, will be determined. I 
 wish I had time to delay sending this 
 letter till that period is past; but the ship 
 sails in a few days, and I was unwilling 
 that you should be unacquainted with 
 the state of my mind. I have reason to be 
 thankful that, notwithstanding I have been 
 severely tried from quarters tlie moat afflictive, 
 y’^et I never enjoyed so much of God since 
 1 have been in the ministry: where no 
 friend would or could sympathize w'ith me, 
 1 liave found him ever nigh ; ami yesterdays 
 my wife told me, that on mature deliberation 
 she approved of the plan i have adopted, 
 and w^as much more comfortable in her 
 
aiind than ever before since she knew my 
 wishes, and was willing to leave it to the 
 Judgment of the Ministers as I proposed, 
 hoping she Mould see it in the hands of 
 God. O help me to praise ! It is a relief 
 inexpressible. If 1 come, I am not without 
 hopes of a companion in the good Mork. 
 
 Brother , (a man of the first rate piety, 
 
 deep humility, great zeal, and good sense,) 
 and I correspond on it; and he says, nothing 
 but a fear that he is not qualified keeps him 
 from deciding. I think his judgment Mill 
 be governed here by the opinion of the 
 Society, and I had the pleasure of conveying 
 to him in their name, their apprehensions that 
 in all tlie Baptist connection there Mas not 
 a man so suilahle as himself. Besides him, 
 a brother mIio is not in tlie ministry, and his 
 Mife, have offered to accompany me if 1 go; 
 a pair the most suitable that I can conceive 
 of, poor people. Afl'ection for my Mife inclines 
 the good Moman to the voyage, and zeal and 
 a.fiection operate on her husband . I coidd 
 not but think it a kind providence that the 
 same afternoon on which my M'ife had been 
 objecting on account of iier being incapable 
 to do the work of a nurse and servant too, 
 that same afternoon ihose good people ofiered 
 
23 
 
 their services ; they are both my own children 
 in the faith, of five years standing; active, 
 simple, faithfi^, hospitable people, and are 
 willing to be in the steerage rather than not 
 go. If we all come, it will be no small 
 addition to your church, or rather the church 
 of the dear Lord Jesus in Asia. 
 
 I have had Halhed's Grammar about a 
 fortnight ; and have made myself master of 
 most of the characters, the rules for the 
 formation of nouns, and part of the chapters 
 on pronouns : but 1 fear 1 shall be able to 
 do but little to purpose, for want of a tutor 
 to teach me the pronunciation. Of one 
 character in the Sanscrit pronouns I can 
 find no account any where: you will tell 
 me readily when we meet; but I must leave 
 it for the present. O how happy shall I 
 be' to sound the name of my dear Lord 
 Jesus in the Bengalee tongue, on the plains 
 of Hindoostan ! Give iiiy love to dear Ham 
 Hoshoo: tell him, I long to take him by 
 the hand, and call him brother. I suppose 
 ere now he has felt the constraints of 
 divine love overcoming the fears of man, 
 and that he has become an avowed disciple 
 of the lowly and lovely Jesus. The Lord be 
 
24 
 
 with you when you partake togetlier of the 
 memorials of the Redeemer’s sorrows. I 
 want much to hear from you about Parhotee; 
 so do all our friends. Perhaps some in- 
 teresting account is now on the way for 
 Europe. The Lord send us good news from 
 a far country. In my next, I hope I shall 
 be able with propriety to ask you withal to 
 prepare me a lodging. If I come next year, 
 and any ship goes before me, by that you 
 shall know all particulars. 
 
 I shall inclose all that is printed of our 
 No. 1. of the Periodical Accounts of our 
 Society. The extracts from your letters are 
 such as I hope you will approve. I laid 
 them before tlie Committee, after they were 
 selected for their opinion. Do communicate 
 every thing interesting to the public mind : 
 it will promote the sale of our publications, 
 and thereby assist the Society materially. 
 Some of the brethren wrote te you from 
 Northampton : their letters will accompany 
 
 this, and, I hope, the goods which have been 
 sent from hence for some weeks ; though 
 Mr. Savage writes that no conveyance has 
 been attainable since they came. I shall 
 write him with this packet, to intreat his 
 
25 
 
 immediate exertions in the business. It is 
 late cn Saturday evening;. I propose preach- 
 ino’ to-morrow from 1 Cor. xiii. 13. The 
 
 o 
 
 comprehension of Christian love as to it’s 
 objects — the sweetness, universality, and 
 energy of it’s operations — with the permanency 
 of it’s nature, have occurred as illustrative 
 of iis supe"'ority to every other grace. The 
 afternoon subject I think will be on 2 Cor. 
 iii. 8. iuclading among other things, the extent 
 of the gospel dispensation. It comprehends 
 Gentiles as well as Jews, and Hindoos 
 as well as Englishmen, I have not fixed 
 on a subject for the evening yet. Adieu, my 
 dear, dear Brother, the God of love, peace, 
 and glory be with you, and with 
 
 Your unworthy 
 
 but affectionate Brother 
 in Christ Jesus, 
 
 S. PEARCE. 
 
 E 
 
26 
 
 To Mr. CAREY. 
 
 Birmingliam, March 27, 1795. 
 
 My very dear Brother, 
 
 Instead of a letter, you perhaps expected 
 to have seen the writer ; and had the will of 
 God been so, he would by this time have 
 been on his way to Mudnabatty : but it 
 is not in man that walketh to direct his 
 steps. Full of hope and expectation as I 
 was, when I wrote you last, that I should 
 be honoured with a mission to the poor 
 heathen, and be an instrument of establishing 
 the empire of my dear Lord in India, I 
 must subiuit now to stand still, and see 
 the salvation of fJod. Judging from the 
 energy* of my feelings, together M'ith their 
 long continuance, and growiiig strength, I 
 scarce entertained a doubt but I should this 
 year go to assist you in your evangelical 
 undertaking, and under those circumstances 
 I wrote to you. It was not long after, that 
 
27 
 
 some of our church, guessing- from the 
 strain of my preaching at the state of my 
 mind, questioned me upon the subject, and 
 I frankly told them all my heart. On this, 
 various meetings of consultation were held, 
 and I sufiered much, but fainted not; 
 and during that struggle, I felt, for the first 
 time, the plenary import of that phrase, 
 “ The world is crncilied unto me, and I 
 unto the world.” No domestic attachment, 
 nor flattering prospects of reputation, nor 
 wealth, which in unworthier moments have 
 had too much ascendency over me, had 
 now any influence. Love to Christ, and 
 love to sinnens — heathen sinners — reigned 
 triumphant in my soul, and I trust I did 
 then feel what it -was to be wholly devoted 
 to God. 
 
 At length, a full church-meeting was 
 called, and 1 was requested to be present. 
 I went accorthngly, and having stated my 
 views and feelings, I told tiiem, that though 
 'I should be glad of their opinion, yet I 
 should not think myself bound to abide by 
 their decision; because their affection for 
 me would incline them to partiality in 
 their judgment. 1 then withdrew\ 
 
28 
 
 The issue of the meeting was unfavourable 
 to my going, and as I had expressed my 
 design of finally _ submitting to the opinion 
 of a meeting of disinterested Ministers; the 
 Church appointed two of the Deacons to 
 represent them at this meeting, whenever it 
 should be. fn the mean time I laid the 
 case before three or four of our brethren, 
 whose piety and experience 1 thought best 
 enabled them to judge. I was both disap- 
 ])ointed and grieved to find them all .decidedly 
 against me. The following is an extract 
 from one beloved brother and father in the 
 ministry. 
 
 “ i really think you must not leave 
 “ England. The heathen will get more by 
 “ you here than they will abroad; and 
 “ surely your post must not be given up. Who 
 “ is there in your neighbourhood to make 
 “ a stand against false religion, my dear 
 “ Brother? 1 l)less God for the zeal, but 
 “ surely I think it will hurt the cause in 
 “ various ways if you go. Churches will 
 ‘‘ be afraid of the consequences of en- 
 “ coiiragiiig missions, if the most important 
 “ stands at home are deserted by those 
 “ that God lias greatly prospered in them. 
 
“ You know brother Fuller’s infirmity.* If 
 “ you run away, we shah want a man too 
 “ of activity, to keep aine the attention of 
 “ the public to the cause, and give a great 
 “ argrment to them tliat are averse to it. 
 “ I am pleased with the measures yon pro- 
 “ pose to follow for determining the point, 
 “ and trust God wiil direct you.” 
 
 I copy out this, just as I received it, that 
 you may better enter into my situation. The 
 week after this, we had a very solemn day 
 of fasting and prayer on the business at 
 Northampton. Some brethren of the Society, 
 and some who were not, attended. Brethren 
 Ryland and Sutcliff were not able to be 
 present, but their minds were known, together 
 with some of the London Ministers. On 
 this occasion I read a diary of my feelings 
 for some time past, together with the views 
 and motives which induced me to desire 
 employment among the heathen, and such 
 answers to objections arising from my con- 
 nexion in the family, the church, and the 
 
 * Referring to a paralytic affection in his face, Mhich 
 came upon him in 1703, the effects of which uerc not 
 removed in less than four or five years. 
 
30 
 
 Mission Society, as appeared to me satisfactory 
 and full. I shall ever love my dear brethren 
 the more for the tenderness with which they 
 treated me, and the solemn prayer they 
 repeatedly put up to God for me. At last, 
 I withdrew for them to decide, and whilst I 
 was apart from them, and engaged in prayer 
 for divine direction, I felt all anxiety forsake 
 me, and an entire resignation of will to the 
 will of God, be it what it would, together 
 with a satisfaction that so much praying 
 breath would not be lost; but that He wlio 
 hath promised to be found of all that seek 
 him, would assuredly direct the hearts of my 
 brethren to that which was most pleasing to 
 himself, and most suitable to the interests 
 of his kingdom in the world. Between two 
 and three hours were they deliberating, after 
 which time a paper was put into my hands, 
 of which the following is a copy. 
 
 i 
 
 “ T!:e brethren at this meeting are fully 
 “ satisfied of the fitness of brother P’s. 
 “ quaiitications, and greatly approve of the 
 “ disinterestedness of his motives and the 
 “ ardour of his iiiind. But another Missionary 
 “ not having been requested, and not being 
 “ in our view immediately necessary, and 
 
31 
 
 “ brother P. occupying already a post very 
 “ important to the prosperity of the Mission 
 “ itself, we are unanimously of opinion that 
 “ at present, however, he should continue 
 “ in the situation which he now occupies.” 
 
 To this I was enabled cheerfully to reply, 
 “ The will of the Lord be done and re- 
 ceiving this answer as the voice of God, 
 I have, for the most part, been easy since, 
 though not without occasional pantings of 
 spirit after the publishing of the gospel to 
 the Pagans. 
 
 What particularly weighed with me, was, 
 an -apprehension of the necessity of the 
 language being known to more evangelical 
 men than two, lest in case they should die, 
 or be by any means laid aside, the work 
 should materially suffer through the long- 
 chasm occasioned by their seeking out proper 
 n successors, the time occupied by the voyage, 
 and after all, their inability to speak to the 
 natives in the Bengalee tongue. It appeared 
 to me highly important that provision should 
 be made for such an event, which at some 
 time must take place; and I conceived that 
 numerous advantages would arise from the 
 
32 
 
 Mission being kept up by men who had 
 been on the spot, were known to the natives, 
 and already in the habit of instructing them 
 in the way of righteousness. The preference 
 of such persons to strangers was obvious; 
 and as no one offered himself for the work, 
 I thought it my duty to propose myself for 
 the undertaking : whether the Lord will ever 
 honour me so far, I know not; but the 
 state of my mind still inclines me to say 
 daily, “ Here am I, Lord, send me.” 
 
 At present, however, I am better satisfied 
 in staying, because the Lord has raised up 
 some others for the work. We have all 
 been diligently employed in enquiring after 
 proper persons to assist you, but in vain; 
 till a few days since, when two of the Students 
 at Bristol, both warm hearted for Christ, 
 offered themselves to brother Ryland, as 
 willing to embark in the glorious undertaking. 
 He has communicated their wishes to brother 
 Fuller and me, &c ; I suppose they will 
 formally propose themselves to the Society 
 at the next Committee Meeting, I wish wo 
 could have your mind on the business for 
 our direction; but we must guess at it, arrd 
 act accordingly. 
 
as 
 
 I think I said in my last, that I had taken 
 some pains, or rather pleasure, with th^ 
 Bengal language; but having no vocabulary, 
 or dictionary, or book to read in the language, 
 I was obliged to lay it aside. Could you 
 furnish me with any helps, I should be very 
 thankful; for I have not yet relinquished my 
 hopes of telling the Hindoos how Jesus Christ 
 came into the world to save sinners : or if 
 not, our brethren wish me to learn the lan- 
 guage, as they say it is possible, that when 
 you have translated the bible, it may l)e found 
 most convenient to print it in Engiand, to do 
 wEich, it is nesessarv to liave the press under 
 the inspection of some })ious person vrho 
 knows the language. This has it’s v/eight, 
 though it just strikes me that probably it 
 would be better, (if tyiies are procured,) to 
 look out for some good man '\’\ho understands 
 printing, and send him over to yon tliat the 
 work may go on beneath youi’ own care. 
 This was done at Malabar, by the Danisli 
 Mission ; but no doubt you will give the 
 Society your free opinion oji this matter, 
 when the translation is in a good degree of 
 forwardness. 
 
 F 
 
34 
 
 And now, my dear Brother, how shall I 
 express the joy I feel at the great goodness 
 of our God unto you in a strange land. Your 
 letters were read at a Committee Meeting, the 
 18 th instant, at Guilsborough. We glorified 
 God on your behalf; and earnestly prayed 
 that the same mercy and goodness might 
 still attend you; at the same time affection- 
 ately recommending you to the grace of 
 his Holy l^pirit, that he might prevent your 
 secular concerns from diminishing that pious 
 ardour with which your spirit glows for the 
 advanceujent of the kingdom of Christ among 
 men. How securely may we leave you in 
 his hands! Yes, niy dear Brother, we do 
 rejoice that though oceans divide us from each 
 otlier, we are equally beneath his protection, 
 who filleth all in all. Daily in our closets, 
 and our families, do we remember you before 
 God; and in the sanctuary, the tribes of 
 God’s spiritual Israel wrestle hard for you 
 Sabbath after Sabbath. Nor shall we pray 
 in vain — God, even our own God, will bless 
 you; his promise is on your side, and 
 through him you shall do valiantly: never 
 will he forsake his servants, nor leave them 
 unassisted in their work: but your “ confidence 
 i)» strong;” I rejoice that it is so, for thi.s 
 
35 
 
 is the victoi-y that overcometh the world, 
 even our faith: and he who hath been the 
 author of that faith, will, I doubt not, be 
 the finisher of it too. 
 
 I was much affected by your disapjDoint- 
 ment in not receiving any thing from England 
 by the ship by which you expected com- 
 munications, especially when you say, “Surely 
 you have not forgotten us.” Forgotten 
 you! — No, my dear Brother, we cannot forget 
 you, nor would be designedly wanting in any 
 expression of our affectionate remembrance. 
 It was not long after’ you sailed, (before 
 we received any account from you,) that 
 some goods were sent after you, with letters 
 from brother Fuller and myself. — I am sorry 
 if that vessel has been tardy: especially as 
 the last packet, (the Swalloiv,) by which we 
 sent you many letters,) was detained to our 
 knowledge four months at Falmouth; but a 
 ship belonging to Captain Christmas took 
 charge of the annual remittance, which we 
 hope ere now has been safely conveyed 
 to you. 
 
 With my last, I sent you some half sheets 
 of No. I. of Periodical Accounts. Now’ J 
 
36 
 
 iiave the pleasure of inclosing some perfect 
 co])ies in a second edition; 1 hope you will 
 find nothing there which you would wish to 
 have had omitted. 
 
 The Accounts No. I. have been of great 
 help to the funds of the Society. We sent 
 a copy to every church of our denomination; 
 Brother Fuller and I have harl handsome 
 collections after preaching upon the subject; 
 and from other places unvisited, we have 
 received many tokens of benevolence. I 
 know it v.ill give you pleasure to know 
 that on Cliristmas-day, after preaching at 
 Leicester on the subject, we received above 
 thirty guineas towards the Mission. 
 
 We are thinking now about Africa. It 
 will be die subject of our consideration next 
 meeting, and i will take care that you shall 
 iiave the earliest account of the result by 
 the latter ships. 
 
 Anxiously do we wait for your journal. 
 Fxlracts from it will be put in No. IL You 
 cam hardly imagine liow the public are inter- 
 ested in those accounts, and i iiope that now 
 you see the nature of the plan, you will 
 
37 
 
 flirnish the Society with such information 
 from time to time as may preserve the re- 
 spectability and celebrity of the work. But I 
 must close : my time is quite exhausted, and 
 I really have not enough left to read over 
 what 1 have written in such haste, unless I 
 omit a letter to brother T. Excuse blunders. 
 Accept my warmest love in which Mrs. P. 
 brother King, and others, (whose name is 
 Legion,) join with 
 
 Your very, very affectionate, 
 
 though unworthy Brother, 
 
 S. PEAllCE. 
 
 P. S. Pray favour me with a long letter 
 by the lirst conveyance, and any helps towards, 
 the Bengalee language which you can send 
 me. Adieu. 
 
 With this I shall send an octavo volume on 
 the Moravian Missions. I am compiling a 
 a piece which I desire may deserve to be 
 called, History cmd Present State of 
 
 Protestant Christian 3Iissions. 
 
38 
 
 To Mr. CAREY. 
 
 Birmingham, June 20, 1795. 
 
 My very dear Brother, 
 
 I Wish from my heart I had time to 
 fill two sheets instead of half a one. At- 
 tribute my brevity, I beseech you, not to 
 want of affection, but want of leisure. I 
 did purpose to write much by these ships, 
 but being called from home so much of late 
 1 could not realize my intentions. I have 
 left my letter to brother Thomas open for 
 your perusal; and by way of intelligence, 
 have only to add, that on account of the 
 inconvenience of Mr. Hogg’s situation, he has 
 resigned the Treasurership of the Society to 
 Mr. Thomas King of Birmingham, at whose 
 house you slept, I believe, the last time you 
 w'ere here. 
 
 It will give you pleasure to hear that 
 the reading of one of your letters at 
 
S9 
 
 ]V u), stirred up the spirits of two 
 
 young men to devote themselves to Christ. 
 They are athirst for serving him amongst 
 the Heathen : and whether they go abroad 
 or not, I hear they promise usefulness in 
 the church of Christ. 
 
 I wish you to take no notice of this in any 
 of your letters to England till you hear more 
 from me. And then 1 will give you my 
 reason for this intimation. 
 
 Fifty-eight have joined Leicester church 
 since you left. I was present last week at 
 the morning meeting for experience at Ket- 
 tering Association, It would have done your 
 heart good to hear how almost all the 
 churches and Ministers are revived in con- 
 sequence of the mission business. I send 
 you some of the Midland letters, the others 
 are not ready. 
 
 Mr. Savage has superintended the pro-‘ 
 curing of the articles and seeds you ordered. 
 Hope they will arrive safe. 
 
 Do write me much about India and the 
 work of God there. We long to see your 
 
40 
 
 journal, and expect it fully by the next ships. 
 Hope Mrs. C. and family are very well. 
 Affectionate regards to them. I have inclosed 
 some Sermons of Doddridges, for the use of 
 your son Felix. The Lord God Almighty 
 bless them to the lad, 
 
 Most affectionately I am, 
 
 my very dear Brother, 
 
 yours in the uniting bonds of the gospel, 
 
 S. PEARCE. 
 
 P. S. Will you oblige me with the best 
 accounts you can obtain of the Danish 
 Mission, &c. 
 
41 
 
 To Mr. CAREY. 
 
 London, August 27, 1795. '' 
 
 My very dear Brother, 
 
 Banished as you are from my eyes, 
 1 love you too well to be unmindful of your 
 concerns, or uninterested in your best welfare 
 Our affectionate, and I trust, pious intercourse, 
 before you left England, together with the 
 letters I have received and seen from you 
 since your arrival in India, have uniformly 
 heightened that esteem which begun with our 
 first acquaintance on the day of your ordination 
 at Leicester. Hence I can suffer no oppor- 
 tunity of corresponding with you to pass 
 unnoticed; and as my dear friend Mr. Savage 
 tells me that he expects a vessel will sail for 
 Bengal in a few days, I attempt to give you 
 some pleasure by writing a friendly epistle. 
 
 I am here raising subscriptions for our 
 Society the third year. The times indeed 
 
 ‘G 
 
42 
 
 are unfavourable to application, and 1 do 
 not fail to meet with beggars’ fare; yet on 
 the whole I must not complain. I have been 
 three days at work, and have received thirty- 
 four guineas; whether I shall continue to 
 succeed as well I know not: my spirits often 
 flag, but 1 would hope and do the best. 
 
 Perhaps you ha\ e heard that the late ’Mr. 
 Tinder, of Northampton, left about Four 
 Hundred Pounds to the Society, besides which, 
 I suppose we have Three or Four Hundred 
 more in hand; so that we only want suitable 
 persons to send, in order to extend our en- 
 deavours for the conversion of the Heathen. 
 
 In former letters we told you that we had 
 resolved on an African Mission, and that 
 two pious and apparently suitable young men 
 had offered their services for the work of the 
 Lord in that benighted and miserable part 
 of the world. I am happy now in being- 
 able to add, that although there was some 
 difficulty at first in securing them a passage, 
 it is at 'length obtained. Brother Fuller 
 came to London, and met with some of the 
 D irectors of the Sierra Leone Company, who 
 have agreed to allow them a passage in their 
 
43 
 
 ships, and to leave them at full liberty as 
 to the conducting of the Mission Avhen they 
 arrive in Africa. 
 
 On Wednesday the 16 th of September next 
 we propose to have a parting meeting at 
 Birmingham. Brother Ryland is to address 
 the Missionaries ; the other parts of the 
 service are not yet arranged. Early in October, 
 the vessels will sail, and with them six pious 
 families of M'^esleyan Methodists, who are to 
 settle for one year at Free Town. They 
 mean to proceed up the Foulah Country, 
 and having prepared suitable receptacles for 
 their families, on the commencement of the 
 second year they are to be removed also; 
 wdien, by the practice of agriculture, and the 
 useful arts, together with frequent conver- 
 sation on religious subjects, and a cheerful 
 yet guarded behaviour, they hope to civilize and 
 christianize the negro inhabitants. The better 
 to promote their pious designs, it is proposed 
 to send with them one or more Missionaries, 
 w'hose only work it will be to preach ' to 
 the colony and' evangelize the Heathens. 
 
 This plan strikes me as well calculated to 
 answer it’s end. I remember reading of a 
 
44 
 
 similar plan formed by one John Ovenbridge, 
 an Ejected Minister in the reign of Charles II. 
 Avho went to South America on purpose to ex- 
 plore the country, and on his return published 
 a book, recommending the going out of a 
 colony for the purpose of spreading the gospel 
 there: but the time was not then come; both 
 wise and foolish virgins then slumbered and 
 slept. I trust that the friends of Christ are 
 now recovering from their stupor — a general 
 concern discovers itself in almost all deno- 
 minations. The Independent Brethren, in 
 connection with Calvinistical Methodists' and 
 Churchmen, are about attempting a Mission 
 to the South Sea Islands, where they propose 
 to send a large body of Missionaries, if they 
 can procure them. The Lord prosper the 
 work of their hands! I will inclose a copy 
 of their Circular Letter, which I had yester- 
 day of Mr. Wilks. By reading it, you will 
 better understand their design. I intended 
 to send you the Sierra Leone Reports, but 
 recollect just now that Brother Fuller sent 
 you a copy by the last ships. 
 
 Since 1 have been in town, it has ])leased 
 God to remove Dr. Stennett from this world. 
 
 Birmingham the Lord still prospers us. 
 
45 
 
 Within the last five weeks before I left home, 
 I had the pleasure of baptizing’ nineteen 
 persons, I hope and believe real Christians; 
 though ten are very young’ — one about 
 
 twelve or thirteen years only. 
 
 Your letter of March 18 , came to hand 
 this day week, when first I came to London. 
 I took a copy, and sent yours on to Brother 
 Fuller as directed. Sincerely do 1 rejoice 
 that the work is in so favourable a train, 
 especially that you proceed in an intelligible 
 translation of the scriptures, that you preach 
 statedly every Lord’s-day, and that you are 
 establishing schools for the instruction of the 
 young Hindoos and Mussulmans. All these 
 things afibrd pleasure to the supporters of 
 the Mission, and we shall rejoice to hear 
 more news of the same nature by every 
 ship. We hoped to have been favoured 
 with your Journal before now; and in conse- 
 quence of repeated intimations given in your 
 letters, we ventured to promise the public 
 a second Number of Periodical Accounts, 
 containing extracts from it. You will see 
 the advertisement on the last page of No. 
 I. The expectation of hundreds has been 
 thereby excited, and it is rather mortifying 
 
16 
 
 not to have it in our poAver to gratify it. 
 Perhaps it has been lost in the passage, if 
 so, have you a copy? or if you have thought 
 it not sufficiently interesting to send so far, 
 suffer me to intreat that your friendship for 
 us may overcome your delicacy. As we 
 have promised Extracts merely, 1 hope we 
 shall make such only as will meet your ap- 
 probation, and I am persuaded that the effects 
 will be pleasing both to you and ourselves. 
 
 The goodness of God to you in making- 
 such ample provision for your temporal wants 
 has been great indeed ; and it appears so 
 especially, from your proposing to print the 
 Bible and to support your schools at your own 
 expense. But I believe we must request a 
 participation with you in the expenditures 
 1 am persuaded that we shall realize the wise 
 man’s remark — “ There is that scattereth and 
 yet increased! and if as an individual 
 1 might oiler an opinion on the best mode of 
 supporting our cause at home, and yours 
 alrroad, I would recommend the following 
 to your consideration. 
 
 First, Let the annual expenditures on the 
 express business of evangelizing the Hindoos, 
 
47 
 
 &c. be ascertained. — Secondly, Let what you 
 Sfive towards it be exhibited as a contribution. 
 
 O 
 
 — Thirdly, Let matters be so regulated that 
 the Society may have somewhat, (say £o0. 
 or £100. annually,) to impart over and above 
 your contributions. This may be easily 
 done I should suppose by taking a few 
 more boys to instruct, or raising another 
 school. 
 
 My reasons for this wish are these. — First, 
 it will more intimately connect the Mission 
 with the Society whereby it w'as first estab- 
 lished. — Secondly, The Society will easily 
 have it in their power to allow annual support. 
 — Thirdly, It will afford a ground of impor- 
 tunity when we preach charity-sermons, or 
 apply for private assistance; which we could 
 not honestly use if the East Indian Mission 
 received no support from Europe. — Fourthly, 
 We shall be hereby prejiared to lend you 
 future assistance should it please God in 
 this changing world to change your situation, 
 and thereby deprive you of present means 
 of support. — Fifthly, We shall thereby be 
 
 capacitated to send out more labourers in 
 tills good work sliould you think them 
 necessary. 
 
48 
 
 The latter proposal indeed, is to my view 
 of no small consequence. I tremble, my 
 dear Brother, lest M’hen you are removed 
 there will be no successors in possession of 
 the language. By this time I once hoped 
 to be on my way to assist your pious 
 labours myself, but my Brethren think I 
 may serve the Lord Christ better at home, 
 and I submit. At the same time I much 
 desire to see some more Avorthy men associ- 
 ated with you. Two teachers are few indeed 
 for so many millions of poor idolaters, and 
 both of you are mortal. Do let us know 
 your opinion and I doubt not but men may 
 be found with warm hearts, and prudence, 
 and knowledge,, and faith, who will help 
 you in the work of the Lord. I hope to 
 hear from you soon now. The Lord bless 
 you and yours. How is it we hear nothing 
 about Mrs. C. Mrs. T. or your children, 
 except ill the note from Mr. T. in which 
 he says you have lost a son? — You do not 
 know how dear you are to 
 
 your affectionate Brother, 
 
 S. PEARC]v 
 
49 
 
 P. S. I have another minute to spare, and 
 affection bids me spend it in your company. 
 I have heard since I wrote the above, that 
 the plan of the Wesleyan Colony in the Foulah 
 Country has been somewhat altered, and that 
 Dr. C. will accompany them. 
 
 Mr. La Trobe has furnished me with the 
 
 tw'o last Numbers of the Brethrens’ Periodical 
 / 
 
 Accounts: 1 inclose them for your gratification. 
 You will rejoice to find tliat the Hottentots 
 are seeking after Jesus, and be encouraged 
 to continue your labours of love among the 
 poor Hindoos. Be not discouraged, my dear 
 Brother, if you do not succeed immediately. 
 You know' the Brethren laboured nearly six 
 years without effect in Greenland ; but they 
 persevered, and now' a tenth part of the in- 
 habitants of that country are professors of 
 the faith of Christ. But when I consider by 
 what means they achieved so great a work, 
 by the simple preaching of the Cross of Christ, 
 and an exhibition of the love of his heart, 
 I am constrained to say — “ Not by might nor 
 by pow er, but by thy Spirit, O Lord of Hosts.” 
 I have lately been struck with a remark 
 which applies to their labours and success. 
 Facts interest more than speculations or 
 
 H 
 
50 
 
 abstract positions, however just. Talk to a 
 child about any abstract subject, and it re- 
 quires pains to secure his attention; but tell 
 him a story, and he is ail ear. So I should 
 suppose an aflectionate relation of the story 
 of Jesus Christ, and his death and sufferings, 
 would be the most likely way of engaging 
 the heart of a heathen: but I, who am fifteen 
 thousand miles from the seat of your labours, 
 am almost ashamed to give my thoughts on 
 a subject with which you must be so much 
 better acquainted. — Forgive my freedom, and 
 again believe me 
 
 most afiectionately yours, 
 
 in our dear Lord Jesus, 
 
 S. PEARCE. 
 
To Mr. CAREY. 
 
 Birmingham, January 6, 1796, 
 
 Thank you, my dear Brother, for your 
 kind letter of January 18 , 1795 . It was as 
 cold water to a thirsty soul. Do not fail to 
 refresh me as often as you have leisure, and 
 pray be particular in your communications 
 respecting the w'ork of God. A large portion 
 of zeal, now discovers itself among Christians 
 of every name. I shall desire Brother SutclifF 
 to inclose a copy of the Missionary Society’s 
 Sermons. I was in London when they 
 were preached, attending our Brethren, who 
 soon after sailed for Africa. It was a Pen- 
 tecost. The Brethren who compose that 
 Society, publicly own that our zeal kindled 
 
52 
 
 theirs: we lighted our torch at yours; and 
 it was God M'ho first touched your heart 
 with fire from his holy altar. To Him be 
 all the praise! 
 
 I am, my dear, dear Brother, 
 
 afl’ectionately yours, 
 
 S. PEARCE. 
 
S3 
 
 To Mr. CAREY. 
 
 Birmingham, September 8, 1797. 
 
 My very dear Brother, 
 
 It might be wrong to compare the pleasure 
 which any of your letters from India to 
 Europe give, with that which between the 
 same friends is derived from European Letters 
 to India. Your want of Christian society 
 may make Christian coiTespon deuce sweeter 
 than we who are surrounded with affectionate 
 brethren in the Lord can conceive; other- 
 wise I should have referred you to your own 
 feelings when you hear from us, for an idea 
 of the pleasure I derive from your brotherly 
 epistles. Indeed, my dear Brother, neither 
 distance nor absence abates the ardent attach- 
 ment my soul bears to yours ; on the 
 contrary, I feel it grow year by year, and I 
 sometimes, derive greater joy in the prospect 
 of heaven itself, from the expectation of 
 meeting with my beloved Carey there. — I can 
 
54 
 
 hardly refrain from repeating what I have 
 so often told you before, that 1 long to meet 
 you, on earth, and to join you in your labours 
 of love among the poor dear heathens: yes, 
 would ray Lord bid me so, I should with 
 transport obey tlie summons, and take a joyful 
 farewel of the land that bare me, though it 
 were for ever: but I must confess that the 
 path of duty appears to me clearer than before 
 to be at home, at least for the present; not 
 that I think my connexions in England a 
 sufficient argument, but that 1 am somewhat 
 necessary to the Mission itself, and shall be 
 as long as money is wanted, and our number 
 of active friends does not increase. Brother 
 Eiiller and mvself have the whole of the 
 collecting business on our hands, and though 
 there are many others about us who exceed 
 me in grace and gifts, yet their other en- 
 gagements forbid, or their peculiar turn of 
 mind disqualifies them for that kind of 
 service. 1 wish, however, to be thankful if 
 our dear Lord will but employ me as a foot 
 in the body. I consider myself as united 
 to the hands and eyes, and mouth, and heart, 
 and all ; and when the body rejoices, I 
 have my share of gladness with the other 
 members. 
 
55 
 
 At this moment I rejoice, though it be with 
 trembling. Your communications respecting 
 Sookmun, and Yardee, and Doorgotteea, and 
 the other whose name you forgot, more than 
 repay every painful step; but do they hold 
 on their way? O my Brother! be not dis- 
 couraged if you cannot say they do, nor will 
 we be discouraged should your future letters 
 terminate our pleasing hope respecting them. 
 If they are not effectually called, God will 
 call others, and yet set up his empire and 
 make his name glorious in Hindoost’han. 
 Should they still appear to be really the sons 
 of God by faith in Christ Jesus, tell them 
 there is one in Birmingham who loves them 
 in the bow'els of Jesus Christ, a poor sinner, 
 by nature as bad as they, but w ho like them 
 is looking for the mercy of the Lord Jesus 
 Christ unto eternal life; tell them he re- 
 members them by name in prayer to their 
 Father and his Father, to their God and his 
 God: tell them he hopes to meet them in 
 glory, and to join them eternally, singing to 
 the Lamb that was slain for both, glory in 
 the highest. 
 
 I am glad that at last you have received 
 most of my letters, and I hope, should any 
 
56 
 
 considerable time elapse in future without 
 your hearing from English friends, you will 
 set it down to the account of a precarious 
 conveyance, and not to our neglect of you; 
 like the comforts of the holy man of Uz, 
 they may be delayed for a season to crowd 
 u|)on you in greater abundance in the end, 
 
 I have considerably affected my spirits by 
 night-reading on Mission history, during the 
 last winter, so that 1 had hardly fortitude 
 enough to enter my own pulpit, or sometimes 
 to engage in family-prayer; but through 
 mercy I am much recovered, having been 
 more regular in going to bed, and taking 
 more exercise by day, although I am still 
 incapable of close thinking or much writing, 
 without pain in my head, follow^ed with an 
 almost stupefaction for a time. 
 
 You have heard that the London Missionary 
 Society has sent about thirty persons to the 
 South Sea Islands: they heard from them 
 at Rio Jenario, and expect in December to 
 Iiear from them again by the South whalers. 
 They are preparing for a Mission to the Cape 
 of Good Hope, and the Foulah country in 
 Africa, as also to the East. A few months 
 
57 
 
 ago a Dr. Vanderkemp from Dordreahl applied 
 to them, offering his service as a Missionary 
 to any part of the world. I hear he was 
 formerly in^the army, but has since practised 
 physic. They have had very satisfactory 
 accoimts of him from Dr. Brain, of Rotterdam, 
 and have sent to him for an account of his 
 religious experience and views: they re- 
 
 quested also an account of the state of 
 religion in Holland. I saw his reply, and 
 obtained permission to copy out a part of 
 it, in relation to the last question; and as 
 I think it will be interesting to you, 1 will 
 copy it. 
 
 EXTRACT, &c. 
 
 “Religion in Holland is low^; true some 
 “ people appear not indifferent about religion, 
 “but we are ready to fear their uneasiness 
 “ arises from the love of money and worldly 
 “honours: the National Assembly has pro- 
 
 “ claimed that there be no more national 
 “religion, nor privilege attached to the pro- 
 “ fession of any religion — that no national 
 “fund can be applied to pay the Ministers. 
 “ Every mark of public worship is removed 
 
 I 
 
58 
 
 “from the sight and ear of the public, and 
 “ it is expected that the churches, which 
 “before the year 1581 were in the possession 
 “ of religious societies, will be considered as 
 “national goods, and divinity expelled from 
 “ the universities. 
 
 “ While Roman Catholics struggle to get 
 “ back their churches, the Arminian Society 
 “ makes efforts to coalesce w ith the Reformed, 
 “ and have invited the Reformed to a conference 
 “ on the subject by a circular address. I think 
 “ it impracticable to unite the Reformed with 
 “ the Arminians, but easy to unite Christians 
 “ with Christians. Do we not see how easily 
 “ they admit such to private religious com- 
 “ panies, &c. Why do w e deviate from this 
 “model? INothing is more contrary to the 
 “ spirit of Christ, than the efforts of preserv- 
 “ing the purity of the faith by multiplying 
 “the articles of an inert confession. All 
 “ we want is to reduce the confession to 
 “ one original ai ticle, and to exercise the 
 “ Christian discipline in it’s full extent. This 
 “last, is in the Church of Holland totally 
 “neglected. 
 
59 
 
 “With respect to the propagation of the 
 “ gospel among the heathen, there is not the 
 “least tendency towards it. For some years 
 “ Professor Hofstede of Rotterdam has pro- 
 “ posed to erect a seminarium for Ministers, 
 “ in order to supply the Established Churches 
 “in the East Indies ; but it has had no effect. 
 “ There is even a strong prejudice kept up 
 “ against the Missions to the Heathen, especially 
 “ those of the Moravians. One of our most 
 “ celebrated Ministers has lately in a sermon 
 “ on Psalm xxii. 27. w arned the congregation 
 •‘from the pulpit against such undertakings. 
 “ He considered the Heathen nations as in- 
 “ capable of receiving the salutary notions 
 “ of the gospel, for want of w ords in their 
 “ languages to express those notions. He 
 “ pretended their conversion to Christ was 
 “ nothing but a conversion from one idol to 
 “ another. He urged the the examples of the 
 “ Apostles who w ent only to the civilized 
 “nations of Greece, Italy, Natolia, &c.; but 
 “ never thought of preaching to savages. He 
 “ concluded the Heathen ought first to be 
 “ prepared by philosophy and political re- 
 “finement, before e could attempt to convert 
 them to Christ. 
 
GO 
 
 “ Another, of no inferior note, whom I the 
 ‘‘past week desired to inform me if he had 
 “ ever heard of any efforts or proposals made 
 “ in his life in our Ecclesiastical Assemblies, 
 “ (Presbyteries and Synods,) towards the propa- 
 “gation of the Gospel, told me that it never 
 “ was done, and tliat it was not likely to be 
 “ undertaken in our days, in which every one 
 “ had enough to do in looking out for funds 
 “ to pay the Ministers of the late Established 
 “ Church of the Lord !” 
 
 Such is Dr. Vanderkemp’s account of the 
 religious state of Holland. 
 
 A Society has lately been formed in London 
 for preaching to the Jews: very few attended; 
 but a Jew of some consequence lately told 
 one of the supporters of that lecture, that 
 it had occasioned some consideration — that 
 the men of influence deterred the poorer 
 sort from attending; “but (said he,) I w^ould 
 have . you print some small tracts upon the 
 subject — vve may read when we durst not 
 hear.” Hence we fondly hope the ice is 
 broken. I rejoice in every step that is taking: 
 
Cl 
 
 it will do good to Chiistiaiis, if not to the 
 posterity of Abraham. 
 
 I think in one of your letters you hint a 
 suspicion that the ten tribes yet exist in India. 
 Have yon pursued the enquiry ? What is the 
 result?”* 
 
 I am, my dear Brother, 
 more than I can express, 
 
 your affectionate Brother, 
 
 S. PEARCE. 
 
 * See Periodical Accounts, No. XXVI. pp. 306. 
 322—325. Ed. 
 
To Mr. CAREY. 
 
 Birmingham, March 1, 1798. 
 
 My very dear Brother, 
 
 The religious state of England is I think 
 improving. There is more union and exertion 
 than was perhaps ever know'n, especially in 
 village preaching. We have above thirty 
 members, who in turn on Lord ’s-d ays visit 
 the villagers about Birmingham, to read or 
 speak to them and pray with them; and I 
 ]>reach as often as 1 can. We have the 
 prospect of a Meeting-house and a good 
 congregation in one place, where till lately, 
 (15 months,) although many attempts were 
 made, all proved fruitless. 
 
 Ever yours. 
 
 S. PEARCE. 
 
63 
 
 To Mr. CAREY. 
 
 Birmingham, May 3, 1798, 
 
 My dear dear Brother, 
 
 The liberality of the Christian people in 
 Scotland is astonishing! On reading No. 
 IV. of Periodical Accounts, together with a 
 brief abstract from your last to Brother Fuller, 
 in addition to several handsome sums sent 
 before, we have had remitted from the 
 Edinburgli Missionary Society, £200. and 
 from the Stirling Missionary Society, £ 132 . 
 and intimations that £ 300 . or £ 400 . more may 
 be expected from our Baptist Brethren in 
 that country ; together with a request that 
 if more be wanted, we apply to the Edinbui'gh 
 Missionary Society again, who pledge them- 
 selves to more liberal exertions still. 
 
 Yours atfectionately, 
 
 S, PEARCE. 
 
64 
 
 To Mr. CAREY. 
 
 Birmingham, September, 26, 1798. 
 
 My dear Brother, 
 
 Jt is impossible for me to give you a jast 
 idea of the effect your last affectionate letter 
 produced on my feelings. What regret did 
 1 feel that for so long a time you had 
 received nothing from me: though the re- 
 collection that, ivhatever had become of tny 
 letters, I had neither forgotten nor neglected 
 you, somewhat relieved me. I hope long 
 ere now you you have had abundant proof of 
 this; and I am really mistaken if I have not 
 been your most voluminous correspondent. 
 
 But how kind it was in you to give me 
 credit for the continuance of my friendship, 
 even when the expected evidences of it were 
 wanting. This I deeply feel, and for this 
 I most affectionately thank you, as well as 
 for all those glowing expressions of Christian 
 
65 
 
 attaclin>ent, which overwhelmed my heart 
 and drowned me and many more who heard 
 them in a flood of tears. O could 1 be 
 indulged with the enjoyment of your society 
 once more in the flesh, to renew all the sweet 
 intercourse we have had together, at Leicester, 
 at Northampton, at Kettering, at Walgrave, 
 at Birmingham, at London, &c. and to give 
 full vent to all those strong emotions which 
 have been now nearly six years kindling 
 and strengthening, whilst seas and continents 
 have separated us! Methinks a greater gra- 
 tification my heart has never conceived; and 
 might I be allowed the choice, INDIA shouid 
 be the spot — there would 1 hasten on, the 
 W'ings of the wind; and whilst 1 gratified 
 my inclination, perpetuate my joy, till He 
 whose love to us is the sole cause of onr 
 love to each other, should call one of us 
 from the stage of action, and leave the other 
 for a little longer season to finish the work 
 that was given him to do. 
 
 But how wild my wishes run! Am 1 not 
 hxed ill my present station by the Lord Jesus, 
 who has fixed you in vonrs? Has he not, by 
 his seivdiits at least, forbidden my removal? 
 Does he not prosper me where 1 am; and 
 
 K 
 
66 
 
 honour me with opportunity of doing some- 
 thing for his cause among the Heathen, 
 although I am not like jou, called to visit 
 and immediately instruct them? Is not the 
 period of continuance here extn inely short? 
 and when 1 leave this world, wdl it not be 
 in the sure and certain hope of meeting my 
 dear Brother in glory? I confess these con- 
 siderations ought to satisfy me, and 1 hope 
 they have their influence. 
 
 Obedient to my Head, 
 
 Where He appoints I’d go; 
 
 And still in Jesus’ footsteps tread. 
 
 And do his work below. 
 
 I have still reason to rejoice in the Lord's 
 goodness to us at Birmingham. We have had 
 some pleasing additions lately, and next Ordi- 
 nance day we expect from eight to twelve 
 more. '^Through great mercy we have long 
 enjoyed perfect peace, but we longed after 
 closer union than on the usual plan it was 
 possible for a Church of nearly 400 Members 
 to exjtect. We therefore agreed to adopt Iv.o 
 new measures., and if we judge of I lie issue 
 by the beginning, they seem to i)roinise the 
 fniiilment of our wishes. 
 
67 
 
 First, Instead of a public Lecture after the 
 Old iiiance, vve have a Chiirch-uieetiug for the 
 following purposes: — 
 
 1. Let every Brother be called upon in his 
 turn to pray — four or five might engage on an 
 evening, but let none exceed four or tive 
 minutes. 
 
 2. Let the Minister and every other Member 
 who has during the last month received any 
 intelligence respecting the state of religion in 
 our own town, in the kingdom, in Europe, 
 in the world, communicate it: and for this 
 purpose let our Brethren who travel on 
 business or otherw ise, make a point of inquiring 
 into the state of religion in the places through 
 which they pass, and make a report on their 
 return, whilst others enlarge their correspond- 
 ence as tiiey have opportunity. 
 
 3. Let every Brother be at liberty to give 
 exhortations to the Church on any practical 
 subject. 
 
 4. Should these exercises on any evening 
 not occupy the whole of the allotted tune, 
 let there be some prohtable question 
 
08 
 
 always on the table, for friendly and serious 
 discussion* 
 
 Secondly, We have agreed to divide the 
 whole Cliurcli into districts of ten families in 
 each, selected according to the nearness of 
 their residence. A Brother in each district 
 to visit every Member in his district for 
 one mouth; then let the visitor give his roll 
 to the Jiext Brother on the list, and so on 
 monthly; and at the end of each month let 
 all the >isitors meet the Deacons, and the 
 IMinister report the slate of all and each 
 Member in the Church; whilst a Committee is 
 formed to maintain a regular correspondence 
 with every Member whom Providence has 
 called to another place of residence. 
 
 The first of these plans vve put in practice 
 about six nuaiths ago, and found it very 
 prolilable. But the novelty excited suspicion 
 that we met for political discussion, and we 
 thought It prudent to decline. However, we 
 l.-ave now resumed our imctiug, admitting 
 strangers in the gallery. Jt lias had a blessed 
 ptleei m pioiuoting onr acipiaintance and 
 1 nion, ai.<l 1 a:uexiil\ hope w.il increase in its 
 a ivuiitages. 
 
69 
 
 Your short accounts of the Hindoos very 
 much interest the public. I shall be pleased 
 to see longer and more particular details, 
 especially of the Mythology of India. I 
 think I told you that for three or four years 
 1 have been collecting materials for a History 
 of Protestant Christian Missions, in which I 
 thought of not only giving an account of the 
 different Missionary undertakings, but of also 
 briefly stating the religious character of the 
 different Heathen nations to whom Missionaries 
 were sent. In pursuing this design, I have 
 found nothing so difficult to attain as a just 
 idea of the Hindoo Religion. I procured 
 several books at a vast expense for me, and 
 thought I was furnished. Last year, being 
 in London collecting for the Mission, I 
 called on Mr. G. He had heard by Dr. 
 Lrskine of my work. ‘ What is your plan. 
 Sir?’ said he. 1 told him. ‘Where do you 
 go for information respecting India?’ ‘I have 
 got HoluellJ ‘ He cannot be depended on 
 at all.’ ‘ I have Dote’ ‘ Nor is he an 
 author to he followed.’ ‘I have 3Jaurice’ 
 ‘ Maurice ! he is quite a fanciful writer.’ 
 * I Jiave Cranford, 4 c. ‘ I could trust 
 
 to none of these.’ ‘Which do you think 
 the best, Sir?’ ‘An account published by 
 
70 
 
 Abraham Roger, (a Dutch Missionary,) in 
 the Frencli language, is the best I have 
 seen. ’‘Is that a book easy to be procured?’ 
 ‘1 have it; and had 1 not a particular use 
 for it at the [)reseiit, it should be at your 
 •ervice.’ 
 
 "None but an Author knows an Author’s care.” 
 
 I hope Brother Carey will supply the 
 public with this desideratum — an authentic 
 account of the ancient and present state of 
 the Hindoo lieligion.* 
 
 Have you seen the second vclume of Dr. 
 Erskine’s Sketches? It contains precious 
 infonnalion respecting the state of Popery in 
 Germany. 1 will ask Brother Sutcliff, and 
 if he has not already, request him to forward 
 one to } 0 u. 
 
 Most affectionately yours in Jesus, 
 
 S. PEARCE. 
 
 * This is since dune Mr. AVard, a second and im- • 
 proved Ldition of whose work on the Manners of the 
 Hindoos, we hope wdl soon reach this Country. Ed, 
 
71 
 
 To Mr. CAREY. 
 
 Birmingham, March, 1799. 
 
 Dear, very dear Brother, 
 
 The last letter that I wrote yon, thongh 
 dated in September, was not finished idl the 
 beginning of Octol>er ; when I promised, 
 unless any thing extraordinary should occur, 
 that I would write you a letter regularly every 
 month from that time. It is now' March 1799, 
 and I have not yet written. Is it because I 
 have ceased to love you ? No, my dear 
 Brother! I must first lose all my recollection, 
 iny reason, and my virtue. The fact is, that 
 on my return from the last Kettering Mission 
 Meeting, I took a violent cold ; which, being 
 neglected, got worse ; and, thinking that 
 pulpit sweats would efiect a cure, I remitted 
 none of my labours either at home or among 
 the villages ; on the contrary, after walking 
 several miles, I sometimes preached an extra 
 sermon. This was imprudent : my lungs 
 
72 
 
 became inflamed, and at length were so ex 
 ceeding'ly irritable that I could not even 
 coiiveivse in private for two minutes without 
 pain and clanger. The Doctor ordered me 
 to keep myself undisturbed and unemployed; 
 saying, that if it were the end of March 
 instead cf November he could give me better 
 hopes of recovery, for he thought that either 
 a wanner climate or a warmer season was 
 absolutely necessary. Do you think, my dear 
 brother, thaii, when the Doctor mentioned 
 a warmer climate 1 was without thoughts 
 of Mudnabatty? Ah, thought ], had the 
 Society sent me there when I so earnestly 
 intreated them, 1 had not now been shut 
 (jut from all service for God, and enjoyment 
 of his people, for want of a warmer climate. 
 Imr some time a discharge of blood, a pain 
 in my side, a loss of appetite, soreness in 
 my breast, and an irregular pulse, led me to 
 apprehend that death was fast approaching. 
 Sweet were the thoughts of dying; and 
 although 1 could not but regret that 1 should 
 leave this world without having made one 
 eflbrt fcr the salvation of “ the sinners of the 
 Gentiles'’ personally among them, yet that 
 I had indirectly at least endeavoured the 
 occcmplishment of that most desirable object 
 
73 
 
 was a matter of inexpressible satisfaction and 
 delight. I greatly accused myself of inactivity 
 in the Redeemer’s cause, I saw that my zeal 
 had been tardy, unequal, and perhaps often 
 ineffectual, for want of being more ardent and 
 persevering. Yet the thought that the Lord 
 had ever employed me, that I had not been 
 quite idle, that some good had been done, 
 some portions of divine truth propagated, some 
 daring sinners reclaimed, some broken hearts 
 bound up and comforted, some additions made 
 to the Church of the Lord Christ, and some 
 improvement in knowledge, devotion, and 
 virtue, among his people, — these were occasions- 
 of greatful delight; so that, with all my 
 numberless inhrpiities and crimes, 1 was 
 enabled to say, I have not lived nor run in 
 vain. These considerations, joined to the 
 opening prospects of celestial blessings, con- 
 strained me to exclaim, “ O it is good to 
 be here!” 
 
 Care and medicine, under divine control, 
 in a few weeks removed all the dangerous 
 symptoms, but left me in state so weak that 
 I was unfit for application. When ability 
 to labour a little was restored, I found such 
 a croud of affairs demand, my immediate 
 
 L 
 
74 
 
 attention as are not yet out of hand; and 
 though I am sure there was not a day 
 passed without some thoughts of you, your 
 situation, and fellow-labourers, yet 1 really 
 could not get the necessary leisure, for 1 
 did not want to send you monthly notes, 
 but letters. 
 
 In the midst of this personal affliction 
 my M’ife was confined, and had a very 
 agonizing and dangerous time. For some 
 days her life hung in suspense, and an ad- 
 dition was still made to my care by all onr 
 children who were at home (except the 
 infant) being ill of a fever. Thus, five of 
 us afflicted at once, with but one servant, 
 I am sure you will allow that my recess 
 from domestic care could not be very great. 
 I should not have dwelt so long on this 
 apologetical part of my letter had not that 
 apology been made up of information which 
 your friendship may render interesting. 
 
 It was my intention to have attended if 
 I possibly could, the Arnsby Meeting in the 
 Easter-week, when it was proposed to have 
 a Public Meeting with the Missionaries, and 
 spend the day as we did with you and 
 
75 
 
 Brother Thomas at Leicester; but as Arnsby 
 Meeting-house, lately rebuilt and enlarged, 
 is not yet completed, the Meeting is deferred 
 till the Whitsun-week, which plan, if not 
 given up, must of necessity exclude many 
 of our friends from attending; as that is 
 the week when every Association I believe 
 in our Connexion except the Northampton 
 regularly meets. This perhaps was not con- 
 sidered when the Resolution was made; and 
 for the sake of my own attendance I hope 
 that it may now be altered, to which 1 dare 
 say our Brethren who planned it will con- 
 sent. After the supposed Easter Meeting 
 I purposed according to medical advice to 
 have visited my friends . in Devonshire for the 
 sake of my health, as they lie from three to 
 four degrees South of Birmingham. As it 
 is, I think of setting off in a few days, so 
 as to return early enough for the Association. 
 
 Yours very affectionately. 
 
 S. PEARCE. 
 
76 
 
 To Mr. CAREY. 
 
 Birmingham, February, 1799, 
 
 RTy dear Brother, 
 
 The Missionary spirit, let it is^ue as it 
 may abroad, has already had considerable 
 influence at home. The usual practice of 
 Members of Christian Churches of most 
 denominations, particularly the Baptist and 
 Independent, going on Lord’s-day evenings 
 among the villages, some to pray, others to 
 read, others to make remarks on a chapter, 
 &c. has produced a great effect. 
 
 But then infidelity makes rapid strides, 
 especially among our youths. Deistical books 
 are read and swallowed wdth greediness, and 
 the French philosophy seems as though it 
 would make crowds of proselytes in England. 
 As with you, so with us, when I converse 
 with some of this class they say in substance,. 
 “ We are the instruments, God is the musician, 
 
77 
 
 as he plays so ^ve give forth the tune;” and 
 thus freeing’ themselves from all accountahil ly, 
 you may judge what works of the fie.'-h are 
 manifest among them. 
 
 It is, however, a suggestion that seems 
 not far from the truth whicl) a worthy Minister 
 of Scotland offered me in a letter which 
 covered a present from Stirling for the Mission. 
 The time seems fast approaching when the 
 rational world will he distinguished but into 
 tw'O classes, believers and unbelievers. This 
 indeed seems highly probable. In Fiance the 
 Decadary plan makes it necessary for every 
 Christian who would regard the hrsl day of 
 the week to distinguish himself from e\ery 
 other class of citizens; and in a country wliere 
 philosophy has brought religion into absolute 
 and almost general contempt this cannot be 
 done w'ithout a sacrihee, to make which 
 sincerity seems essentially necessary; so that 
 whatever profession of the Christian religion 
 may now be made, there certainly is a strong 
 and pleasing presumption that it is as far 
 as it goes free from hypocrisy. 
 
 In the Monthly Magazine, (which I suppose 
 you may not have onportimity of seeing,) a 
 
78 
 
 writer who seems to have well availed himself 
 of many means of information, says, that 
 “No attempts whatever have been made to 
 propagate pure Christianity in France, or 
 at least if any such have been or are made 
 they do not excite the smallest interest or 
 curiosity. The French public of every degree 
 are totally indifferent to the subject in all its 
 branches; even books of infidelity have now 
 no attraction, the public mind being absolutely 
 satiated or surfeited therewith. The French 
 affect to look upon all systems of religion 
 not only as factitious and burdensome, but 
 even subversive of good morals. The dis- 
 solution of the authority of the old government 
 aflbrded the philosophic party that precious 
 opportunity they had so long enthusiastically 
 desired of disseminating the principles of 
 infidelity among the lower ranks. This was 
 efl'ected with a zeal and rapidity of which 
 our cool and deliberate ideas in this country 
 can have no conception, in deluges of pamphlets 
 and papers from one farthing up to sixpence 
 in price. Thomas Payne atteinped to 
 counteract the popular atheism of the country, 
 by becoming the ^\postle or head of the sect 
 of the Tlieophilanthropists: this sect has never 
 extended to any great degree beyond Paris, 
 
79 
 
 and there confined to a few, as they are called, 
 quakerly individuals. Payne is supposed to 
 have rather lost ground in the popular 
 estimation from this act of apostleship: his 
 sermon obtained little notice at Paris, but 
 procured him the character of a limited 
 reasoner. Some religious books have been 
 published in France, but they have met with 
 less attention that even infidel publications 
 are wont to do in that country.” 
 
 Ever, ever yours, 
 
 S. PEARCE. 
 

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 ; li? -irti ?. rft tso'liii; ;' - /CST *■ 
 
To Mr. FOUNTAIN. 
 
 How a Person may rejoice always. 
 
 Serasing, March 12, 1798. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I HAVE written to Mr. Carey, but wish I 
 could hear from you all : he will tell you what 
 I have said about myself and the Hill people.* 
 I hope your troubles are sweetened by this 
 time, as mine are. What sprightly Christians 
 we should be if we could rejoice alway; 
 and why not? there is room to rejoice alway 
 if there is cause to rejoice at all; but we are 
 straitened in ourselves: let us believe alway, 
 and that is one great step to it; let us hearken 
 ahvay, and this is a step to that; for “faith 
 cometh by hearhig:” and we must hear the 
 
 * The people inhabiting the Rajmah’l Hills. 
 
81 
 
 rod as well as the Ruler. I want a great many 
 things just now, and find 1 have need of this, 
 and that, and many other things; but 1 found 
 out last Saturday that the grace of our Lord 
 Jesns Christ is sufficient for me. Yesterday 
 I had a sweet Sabbath alone. I find one 
 glimpse of Christ by faith is more sanctifying, 
 satisfying, and wholesome to the soul than a 
 thousand efforts without it. I desire nothing 
 but a clear, steady view of Christ on this 
 side heaven, to fit me for iny work here, 
 and heaven hereafter; and all my religion 
 that does not j)roceed from this is froth! 
 
 Your affectionate Brotlier, 
 
 J. THOMAS. 
 
85 
 
 To Mr. FOUNTAIN. 
 
 ✓ 
 
 When the Small Pox was in the Family. 
 
 March, 26, 1798. 
 
 Dear Brother, 
 
 The children are in a promising’ way, though 
 the eldest has had the small pox severely, 
 and tears and fears have abundantly attended 
 ns: I often think how fitly care is compared 
 to a harden in scripture, and what a real 
 relief is found in casting the burden on the 
 Lord. ’Tis the only life wortli bring, to 
 make the Lord our all in every thing: to 
 
 undertake all in his name; and to do his 
 will, and suffer it, preferring it heartily to 
 our own: I have lost much ground by 
 
 neglecting this. I do not know how to 
 describe what I mean in better words than 
 the Apostle’s, — “ Doing all in the name of 
 the Lord Jesus.” Adieu. 
 
 Yours affectionately. 
 
 JOHN THOMAS. 
 
86 
 
 To Messrs. FOUNTAIN 4 CAREY. 
 
 On working or doing for God. 
 
 Serasing, April b, 1798. 
 
 My dear Brethren, 
 
 I HAVE recently received a note from 
 3Ir. Fountain, and a letter from Mr. Carey. 
 It is a good thing to attend the word, whatever 
 be the motive, and therefore 1 am glad 
 to hear of their attendance at Dinagepore. 
 How many have gone to hear with a wicked 
 mind, and come away with a broken heart? 
 3Ir. F. wishes to know what 1 am doing 
 fiM' Cod and myself. “ Doing for God ” is 
 a term very much in use of late years among 
 some good men ami ministers, but it always 
 grates oil my ear, asAl'^i^gli there were 
 something irreverent in it, unless the act be 
 snecified, as bringing up a cliild for the 
 Lord, judging for the Lord, &c. ; but working 
 for tiod, labouring for tiie iaird, &c. seems 
 to signify more as though he needed some- 
 
87 
 
 thing at our hands, and as though we were 
 not such poor, helpless, needy, wretched, 
 unprofitable servants as we are: according 
 to this I really think I never did any thing 
 for God yet, though he has done so muck 
 for me. — Farewel. 
 
 Your very affectionate Brother, 
 
 J. THOMAS. 
 
88 
 
 To Mr. FOUNTAIN. 
 
 Humiliating Account of himself. 
 
 Chandernagore, July 31, 1798. 
 
 Dear Brother, 
 
 My biulgerow* is now almost ready, and 
 I intend to go on a thorough Missionary 
 errand as soon as ever it is so, and I wish 
 I liad you with me. When I attempt to 
 sing tliere is no music alone, and as often 
 as I am inclined to sing I wish for you. 
 When I thought about dying, I thought of 
 you then also, and intended to write to you 
 above many. And how do 1 know but I 
 may die soon, for I feel diseases of a very 
 uncommon nature this year; and suppose 1 
 knew this would be my last, what should 
 1 say to you. Brother Fountain? Walk as 
 1 have walked? — No — the most serious and 
 important advice, if I may be allowed to 
 advise, would be in many things the very 
 
 * Boat. 
 
89 
 
 contrary. I have lived in darkness and con* 
 fusion ; I have stumbled and fell ; 1 have 
 
 trusted to my own anii, while ray strength 
 was proving to be rottenness; I have gone 
 about almighty works with an arm of flesh, 
 and suffered the curse of withering in an 
 awful degree, according to the word of God. 
 But by the Lord taking away my props on 
 which the soul and body were variously 
 leaning, by his smiting me in all the labour 
 of my hand repeatedly, by leaving me to 
 myself and causing others to leave me, and 
 by inward convictions; he has opened mine 
 eyes to see what dangers I have been in^ 
 he has abased me and mortified my pride, 
 and has brought me to see my wretchedness, 
 ray deep poverty, my alarming need, the need 
 I have had of Christ myself, and his holy 
 influences on my heart, while 1 have been 
 ignorantly preaching him to others. What 
 the Lord will do for them I know not; 
 I wait for him, X expect him. — He has not 
 shewed me my wretchedness for nothing. I 
 have more access to the throne of grace in 
 ray family and in secret than I have had 
 these five years; but am as though 1 had 
 yet received nothing; but that all is to come* 
 In the lowest dungeon a gleam of hope makes 
 
 N 
 
90 
 
 a man cheerful, and all my happiness now 
 is in hope. I hope if I die, to be ever with 
 the Lord — I hope if I live never to be by myself 
 again. I have sometimes wondered in my 
 ignorance that I should be no more successful 
 in my Missionary work : but 1 wonder not 
 at all at it, but rather wonder at my being 
 at all sensible and alive to the awful re- 
 alities of the world to come — ^wonder that 
 God had not given me over to my vile 
 affections, like the poor man who shot himself 
 just by us last week. I have, my Brother, 
 lost more than all the world can replace, 
 by walking without taking any heed : may 
 1 be poorer, more despised, rather than fall 
 again into that horrid, careless, vain, light, 
 and useless life, which 1 am now creeping out 
 of. My dear Brother, let us learn, watch, 
 pray, labour, take heed, awake, and Christ 
 will be with us; but hitherto I have been 
 wofully .slack. 
 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 J. THOMAS. 
 
91 
 
 To Mr. FOUNTAIN. 
 
 On the Gauges, August 8, 1709. 
 
 My dear Brother, 
 
 He whom I ceased to acknowledge and 
 glorify in my prosperity, has thought fit to 
 leave me in my adversity, and this is next 
 door to hell itself; but he has done it in 
 measure, and laid upon me no more than 
 was meet. I complain not, though I did 
 complain; I murmur not, though I did 
 murmur; and I think I see none more 
 happy than I am, though I am in great 
 extremities still; for I think now that my 
 extremities are temporary, and that when 1 
 am tried 1 shall come forth as gold. O 
 my Heavenly J^’ather, my righteous God, 
 correct me still, but not in thine anger, lest 
 thou bring me to nothing. O holy and blessed 
 Jesus, the Saviour of Israel in time of trouble, 
 in thee I possess all things; and why should 
 
92 
 
 I not be contented ? O holy and blessed 
 Spirit, if I had never grieved nor quenched 
 thee in iny prosperity, I had not been forsaken 
 of thee in ray adversity. Just and right art 
 thou, O Lord God ! 
 
 Yours very affectionately, 
 
 J. THOMAS. 
 
93 
 
 To Mr. FOUNTAIN. 
 
 Hncoaragements to hope for success in the Mission. 
 
 Soopore, February 14, 1800. 
 
 Dear Brother Fountain^ 
 
 I PRAY that it may be in my power ta 
 travel more, if that be best, that I may go 
 from place to place wherever my Lord himself 
 shall come. It is true many hear, and are 
 wonderfully and variously affected under the 
 word; and some profess to renounce Seeb, 
 and to believe in Christ; but I know of 
 only one that seems to be very hopeful — ’tis 
 true, as you say, many that were once forward 
 and hopeful are gone back — this has been 
 so great a discouragement to me at times, 
 that it has improperly weakened my heart 
 aud hands. But who am I, that I should 
 behave so? My heavenly Master had many 
 who turned away and walked no more with 
 himi But he ceased not to teach and to 
 preach and to do good. There are many 
 
91 
 
 designs and divine ends to be answered by 
 our proclaiming the gospel, besides those 
 which are immediately connected with salva- 
 tion. I desire to be very thankful to God, 
 for tliat inclination I have to preach my 
 precious Saviour among' the heathen, and for 
 their inclination to hear. I had above 700 
 “•1 sup[)ose, last Lord’s-day afternoon, in a 
 new village. And the Lord has given me 
 also a companion in labour of his own making; 
 
 I mean Mr. B , who having heard the 
 
 word, appears to be truly awakened, and 
 Tery sorry that he has spent so many years 
 in this world without knowing these things 
 before. He is young, born in this country, 
 had a good education, speaks and writes 
 English well, and French, and Bengalee, and 
 is very desirous of spending all his days iti 
 preaching the gospel, and is likely to be useful. 
 I count this a token for good; a token from 
 heaven; a sweet token of a heavenly appro- 
 bation of the Mission ; besides the great 
 preparation that God is making for the 
 thousands and millions that are to come, 
 whicli preparation all must see that are not 
 cpiite blind. That I have had so little success, 
 is not so much to be wondered at: but I 
 wonder at others having little also, and yet 
 
95 
 
 we know not how great. Great and blessed 
 things are often done with little noise in the 
 streets, and little visible success. But let us 
 all go on, and whether any are converted 
 or no, heaven, earth, and hell, are all moved 
 at this moment by the attempt. O for a single 
 eye! O for a stedfast, live!}’, and overcoming 
 faith in the Son of God ! O for that 
 faith that can say. My strength, my God, 
 my comforter, my hope, my righteousness, 
 my all ! O for a thorough submission to 
 the righteousness of God I O for silence 
 and stillness in all the tempestuous troubles 
 of life — a stillness owing to the anchor within 
 the vail ! I am afar off from what I wish to 
 be, and what I trust I shall be before my 
 purifier has done with me. Let us go on, 
 there is more grace to be had yet, and we 
 ought to know how to come at it ourselves, 
 who ,are telling others we have found it. Let 
 us cleave to the Lord, making a daily use of 
 him, fetching out of his fulness that which 
 will make us great blessings among the 
 heathen. O that the same mind tliat was in 
 Jesus may be in every one of us, concerning 
 all things! I hope it is so; but O for the 
 “more abundantly” which our heavenly teacher 
 has told us of! — “1 am come that yon may 
 
96 
 
 have life more abundantly.” I used to think 
 the Hill people would be more easily con- 
 verted than these ; but there is no difference. 
 I wish to be converted myself every day 
 anew, to be washed clean, and kept so, by 
 Him who is able to keep me from falling; 
 and then will I teach transgressors his ways, 
 and sinners shall be converted unto Him. 
 Verily there is a God, or else 1 should totally 
 despair of the Mission: I should despair, 
 
 if God was not to be seen in it, in wondrou* 
 doings. We see Satan and are frightened; 
 but the Lord reigneth, and is able to rebuke 
 him. Amen. 
 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 JOHN THOMAS. 
 
 J. G. Fuller, Printer, Ketterinjf.