the ministers having retired for prayer, plans were submitted and approved, solemn vows were uttered, a collection of £13, 2s. 6d. was made; and so the great missionary enterprise was duly inaugurated. Mr. Fuller was appointed Secretary, and Mr. Hogg of Thrapston, Treasurer. Before separating, Carey promised that whatever profits might result from the publication of his manuscript should be added to the fund which the collection had started. As soon as possible it was printed, bearing the title of "An Inquiry into the obligations of Christians, to use means for the conversion of the heathens. In which the religious state of the different nations of the world, the success of former undertakings, and the practicability of further undertakings, are considered. By William Carey." A more accurate and complete treatise could scarcely have been written. It is too long to reproduce in these pages. We must content ourselves with simply saying that every word is worthy of consideration at the present day, being by no means out of date, though published nearly a century ago.

T

CHAPTER III.

HE Society being now formally organised, and its funds being increased by "a surprising " of £70 obtained by Mr. Pearce from friends at Birmingham, a statement for information and appeal was drawn up by the Committee and "addressed to their fellow Christians at large." This being done, the vital questions arose in what part of heathendom their operations should begin, and where a suitable missionary or missionaries should be found?

At one of the business meetings a letter was received from Mr. Carey, who was unable to be present, in which attention was directed to a Mr. Thomas, who in 1783 had gone out to India in the East India Company's service as surgeon on board. the Oxford; and who, during his residence in that country, had engaged to a considerable extent in evangelistic labours, being largely encouraged and supported by that truly Christian man, Mr. Charles

Grant. The letter stated that Mr. Thomas was now in England, and that he was trying to establish a fund in London for a mission to Bengal. Carey suggested that it might be desirable to co-operate. This led to a request that Brother Thomas should send a narrative of himself and of his labours in India; and also to a resolution that the Secretary should make all due inquiries. The result being satisfactory, Mr. Thomas was invited to go out under the patronage of the Society, the Committee engaging to furnish him with a companion, "if a suitable one could be obtained."

No sooner was that resolution passed than Carey offered his own services. The circumstances in which the offer was made are now historic. Having been greatly impressed by perusing Mr. Thomas's account of the religious condition of the heathen, Andrew Fuller remarked that "there was a gold mine in India, but it seemed almost as deep as the centre of the earth." When he asked, "Who will venture to explore it?" "I will venture to go down," was the instant reply of Carey; "but remember that you," addressing Fuller, Sutcliff, and Ryland, "must hold the ropes." "This," afterwards said Fuller, "we solemnly engaged to him to do, pledging ourselves. never to desert him as long as we should live."

Whilst the brethren were thus deliberating, who should appear upon the scene but Thomas himself! When Carey beheld his future colleague he rose and fell on his neck and wept.

The two missionaries being now definitely accepted, preparations for their departure were at once set on foot; but no sooner did they begin practically to carry out the great object of the enterprise than their difficulties commenced.

The congregation to which Carey had ministered

was loath to lose the services of their pastor; and so Thomas and Sutcliff had to visit Leicester to conciliate his hearers. With many heart-pangs his congregation consented to the severance, a sense of duty prevailing. "We have been praying," said one of the members, "for the spread of Christ's Kingdom amongst the heathen, and now God requires us to make the first sacrifice to accomplish it." And upon their pastor leaving they made an entry in their church book, so that his love to his poor miserable fellow creatures might be put on record; at the same time stating that whilst they concurred with him, it was at the expense of losing one whom they loved as their own souls.

A greater difficulty arose in the reluctance of Mrs. Carey to accompany her husband. His representations and entreaties were of no avail. But whilst his determination never wavered, the prospect of a possible life-long separation cost him unutterable grief. How keenly he felt may be seen in the manner in which he wrote to his wife when he had proceeded as far as Ryde. "If I had all the world, I would freely give it all to have you and the dear children with me; but the sense of duty is so strong as to overpower all other considerations. I could not turn back without guilt on my soul. .. Tell my dear children, I love them dearly and pray for them constantly. Be assured I love you most affectionately."

But the greatest of all the difficulties was that of securing a passage for the missionaries. Before, however, referring to this hindrance, some account must here be given of the valedictory services held at Leicester. The forenoon was devoted to prayer. In the afternoon, Thomas himself preached from the words, "Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten

after another god." In the evening, the Treasurer having discoursed, Andrew Fuller, the Secretary, delivered the parting charge, from the text, "Peace be unto you; as my Father sent Me so send I you." Space will not permit us to give more than the opening and closing sentences of this solemn address. "My very dear brethren, Every part of the solemnities of this day must needs be affecting; but if there be one part which is more so than the rest, it is that which is allotted to me, delivering to you a solemn parting address. Nevertheless, I must acknowledge that the hope of your undertakings being crowned with success, swallows up all my sorrows. I could, myself, go without a tear, so at least I think, and leave all my friends and connections, in such a glorious cause." And these were the concluding remarks: "Go then, my dear brethren, stimulated by these prospects. We shall meet again. Crowns of glory await you and us. Each, I trust, will be addressed at the last day by our great Redeemer, 'Come, ye blessed of my Father'; these were hungry and you fed them; athirst, and you gave them drink; in prison, and you visited them; enter ye into the joy of your Lord."

On inquiry being made in London by the missionaries and Mr. Pearce, "the seraphic" Pearce, who accompanied them, as to the means of departure, great difficulties soon presented themselves. Influence was brought to bear upon the East India Company. Carey's old friend, the Rev. Thomas Scott, having removed from Olney to the chaplaincy of Lock's Hospital, was urged to communicate with Mr. Charles Grant, then at the India House, but to no purpose. As it became evident that no license was likely to be obtained, it was resolved to go if possible without one.