Life of William Carey by George Smith - The Jesus Army

ies, rightly trusting to Danish protection. Charles Grant had advised them well, but it is not easy now, as in
the case of their predecessors in 1795 and of their successors up to 1813, to refrain from indignation that the
British Parliament, and the party led by William Pitt, should have so long lent all the weight of their power to
the East India Company in the vain attempt to keep Christianity from the Hindoos. Ward’s journal thus
simply tells the story of the landing of the missionaries at this Iona, this Canterbury of Southern Asia:
“Lord’s-day, Oct. 13, 1799.--Brother Brunsdon and I slept in the open air on our chests. We arrived
at Serampore this morning by daylight, in health and pretty good spirits. We put up at Myerr'-
s, a Danish tavern to which we had been recommended. No worship to-day. Nothing but a Portuguese
church here.
“Oct. 14.--Mr. Forsyth from Calcutta, missionary belonging to the London Missionary Society,
astonished us by his presence this afternoon. He was wholly unknown, but soon became well
known. He gave us a deal of interesting information. He had seen brother Carey, who invited
him to his house, offered him the assistance of his Moonshi, etc.
“Oct. 16--The Captain having been at Calcutta came and informed us that his ship could not be
entered unless we made our appearance. Brother Brunsdon and I went to Calcutta, and the next
day we were informed that the ship had obtained an entrance, on condition that we appeared at
the Police Office, or would continue at Serampore. All things considered we preferred the latter,
till the arrival of our friends from Kidderpore to whom we had addressed letters. Captain
Wickes called on Rev. Mr. Brown, who very kindly offered to do anything for us in his power.
Our Instructions with respect to our conduct towards Civil Government were read to him. He
promised to call at the Police Office afterwards, and to inform the Master that we intended to
stay at Serampore, till we had leave to go up the country. Captain Wickes called at the office afterwards,
and they seemed quite satisfied with our declaration by him. In the afternoon we went
to Serampore.
“Oct. 19.--I addressed a letter to the Governor to-day begging his acceptance of the last number
of our Periodical Accounts, and informing him that we proposed having worship to-morrow in
our own house, from which we did not wish to exclude any person.
“Lord’s-day, Oct. 20.--This morning the Governor sent to inquire the hours of our worship.
About half-past ten he came to our house with a number of gentlemen and their retinue. I
preached from Acts xx. 24. We had a very attentive congregation of Europeans: several appeared
affected, among whom was the Governor.”
The text was well chosen from Paul’s words to the elders of Ephesus, as he turned his face towards the bonds
and afflictions that awaited him--“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself,
so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify
the gospel of the grace of God.” It proved to be a history of the three men thenceforth best known as the
Serampore Missionaries. Ward, too, the literary member of the mission, composed the hymn which thus concluded:
“Yes, we are safe beneath Thy shade,
And shall be so ‘midst India’s heat:
What should a missionary dread,
For devils crouch at Jesus’ feet.
“There, sweetest Saviour! let Thy cross
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