in the humble meeting-house at Hackleton, and Carey, with his fellow-workman, helped to compose this little Christian community. At some of the services, which took the form of a kind of conference, Carey would speak, and evidently with the approbation of his fellow-members. It is interesting to note how he refers to this approval, "Being ignorant, they sometimes applauded, to my great injury."

Among the books coming into his hands was a work, the identical copy of which may now be seen in the library of the Baptist College at Bristol. Its title is, "Help to Zion's Travellers;" it was written with the object of removing various stumbling-blocks out of the way relating to doctrinal, experimental, and practical religion; the author being the elder Robert Hall. This volume was given to him by a Mr. Skinner of Towcester, "in which," says Carey, I found all that arranged and illustrated which I had so long been picking up by scraps. I do not remember ever to have read any book with such rapture as I did that."

Circumstances now arose which led to his marriage with Dorothy Placket, and this before he was twenty years of age. In consequence of his master's death Carey took over the business, the responsibility of this step being shared by the widow's sister, the said Dorothy. The marriage did not prove suitable; but though Mrs. Carey had little sympathy with her husband's tastes, and though her predisposition to mental disease was the occasion of constant anxiety, he ever treated her with noble tenderness.

The business having thus changed hands, Carey put over his shop a new sign-board, which in after years his old shop-mate preserved; from whose widow it was obtained and eventually deposited in the

college in Regent's Park. It was inscribed with his own hand. The following is a facsimile:

SECOND HAND

SHOES BOUGHT

CAREY'S SIGN-BOARD.

The rest of the writing is now illegible.

Domestic and business troubles soon arose. Fever entered his home. His little daughter in her second year was taken from him; he himself was smitten down, and though he recovered, ague followed, from which he suffered for more than a year and a-half. His trade was carried on with much difficulty. In his straits he was compelled to part with such things as he could anyhow spare to provide for daily wants. Starvation staring him in the face, his brother, who was only a youth, with some friends in his native village, came to his relief. By their timely aid he was enabled to take a little cottage in Piddington, a place close by, where, besides continuing his shoemaking, he opened an evening school.

Before, however, this removal to his new home, he attended the meetings of the Association held at Olney, though so poor was he, that he had to fast all

day, having no means to procure a dinner. The occasion was eventful, for one of the preachers was none other than the future Secretary of the Missionary Society-Andrew Fuller-who was fulfilling his ministry with so much promise at Soham. As far as is known, this was the first time the two men met, and then without any personal acquaintance. The day was further of importance, because as the result of what took place, Carey from that date began to exercise his own gifts as a preacher with greater regularity. In the evening the Independent minister, Mr. Chater, knowing him slightly, invited him with some friends from Earls Barton to come to his house and partake of refreshment. In course of conversation, Mr. Chater urged these Barton friends to ask William Carey to preach at their chapel. Shortly after they did so. Carey complied; why he could not tell. He thought it was because he had not a sufficient degree of confidence to refuse. Thus began an occasional ministry which extended over a period of three years and a-half.

The Christian people in his native village, hearing of his preaching, desired him to come to them also, which he agreed to do once a month. His mother went to hear him, and formed no mean idea of her son's ability, declaring that if spared he would one day become a great preacher. His father, the parish clerk, not wishing to be seen in the congregation, contrived on one occasion to hear him clandestinely, and though a reserved man, expressed himself as highly gratified.

The friends at Earls Barton, being desirous to form themselves into a Christian Church, invited Mr. Sutcliff, the Baptist minister at Olney, to advise them upon the He not only gave them the benefit of his

matter.

wise counsels but very affectionately recommended Carey to connect himself with "some respectable church," and to be appointed to the ministry "in a more regular way." Acting upon this advice, he united himself with the church at Olney, and was by that body of Christians formally set apart for the work of the ministry. Two extracts from the Olney Church book will appropriately close this chapter.

"June 14, 1785. Church Meeting. W. Carey (see June 17) appeared before the Church, and having given a satisfactory account of the work of God upon his soul, he was admitted a member. He had been formerly baptised by the Rev. Mr. Ryland jun. of Northampton. He was invited by the Church to preach in public once next Lord's Day."

This evening our

Aug. 10. Church Meeting. brother William Carey was called to the work of the ministry, and sent out by the Church to preach the Gospel wherever God in His providence might call him."

A

CHAPTER II.

SPHERE soon presented itself in Moulton-a village through which the high road passes

from Kettering to Northampton, four miles

distant from the latter town-for the more regular exercise of Carey's ministerial gifts. The members of the Baptist Church who desired his services had indeed little of this world's goods, for the most they could offer him as a stipend was £10 per annum, which sum was afterwards supplemented by a grant of £5 from a fund in London.

The steps leading to his settlement, according to the custom then prevailing, were marked with extreme deliberation. The first communication from the church was in June, 1785; and not until after more than a year of probationary preaching was it "agreed universally to call their minister, Mr. Carey, to the office of pastor." Three months the call was under consideration. Six months after its acceptance, on August 1st, 1787, the ordination took place, when Mr. Ryland, jun. asked the questions, Mr. Sutcliff