IN

events which occurred during the early residence

at Serampore: the baptism of the first convert;

the publication of the first Bengalee New Testament; and the appointment to the professorship in the College at Fort-William.

The name of the first Hindoo convert was Krishnu Pal. By trade he was a carpenter. An accident, causing the dislocation of his arm, led him to apply for the surgical assistance of Mr. Thomas. On arriving, the missionary doctor tied him to a tree, and, with the aid of Carey and Marshman, the dislocated limb was replaced. It was discovered that Krishnu had previously heard the Gospel, and had been convinced of his sinfulness. He complained indeed more of himself as a sinner, than he did of his pain. With tears he cried out: "I am a great sinner! a great sinner am I! save me Sahib! save me!" Thomas, disowning all power to save, pointed him to Christ, dwelling most earnestly upon the all-sufficiency of the Saviour's righteousness.

Krishnu was living within easy reach of the missionaries, and so was invited to seek regular instruction from them. He gladly accepted their invitation, declaring that they had not only cured his arm, but had brought him the news of salvation.

Two other natives had also been awakened to religious concern; Fakeer and Gokool. The former of these relapsed into heathenism; but the latter persevered, showing his zeal and sincerity by eating rice with Krishnu, thus losing his caste, Krishnu being of different caste from his own. Krishnu's wife and family became very deeply impressed in favour of Christianity; but Gokool's wife left her husband, and went to her relations.

Two entries in connection with these circumstances in the missionaries' journal, by Ward, are full of interest :

“Dec. 6. This morning brother C. and I went to Krishnu's house. Everything was made very clean. The women sat within the house, the children at the door, and K. and Gokool with brother C. and I in the court. Brother C. talked ; and the women appeared to have learned more of the Gospel than we expected. They declared for Christ at once. This work was new, even to brother C. A whole family desiring to hear the Gospel, and declaring in favour of it! K.'s wife said she had received great joy from it.

"Lord's Day, Dec. 7. This morning brother C. went to K.'s house, and spoke to a yard-full of people, who heard with great attention, though trembling with cold. Brother B. is very poorly. K.'s wife and her sister were to have been with us in the evening; but the women have many scruples to sitting in the company of Europeans. Some of them scarcely ever

go out, but to the river; and if they meet a European, run away. Sometimes when we have begun to speak in a street, some one desires us to remove to a little distance; for the women dare not come by us to fill their jars at the river. We always obey."

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About a fortnight after these occurrences incident took place, which in its influence upon the religious future of India cannot be over-estimated. Gokool and Krishnu dared to partake of a meal with Europeans. This was done deliberately, Carey and Thomas prefacing the significant act with prayer. Thus did the two Hindoos solemnly renounce their castes, much to the astonishment of the native servants who were in attendance. The missionaries, as may be readily imagined, were greatly moved with gratitude and joy, for at length, after long years of trying toil, Thomas and Carey were permitted to see the firstfruits of their labour. "Brother Carey," said Ward, “has waited till hope of his own success has almost expired." In their holy excitement they confidently exclaimed, "The door of faith is opened to the Gentiles, who shall shut it? The chain of caste is broken, who shall mend it?"

At a later meeting the same day, the two men, with Rasoo, Krishnu's wife and Joymooni, his wife's sister, recounted their experience previous to baptism, a never to be forgotten occasion. The meeting closed with singing the hymn beginning: "Salvation, oh, the joyful sound," and a prayer by Carey.

As soon as it was known that these Hindoos had broken caste, a serious disturbance arose amongst the native population. Two thousand people gathered together and cursed the converts, who were dragged before the Danish magistrate, but to no purpose, as that

official not only dismissed the charge brought against them, but commended them for the step they had taken. Krishnu was then indicted upon a charge of refusing to keep a marriage contract, that had been made between his daughter and a man to whom she had been betrothed; but again the accusation failed, the magistrate declaring that the consent of the girl should be requisite to the marriage.

Fearing lest the baptism of the converts would be disturbed, the missionaries sought the good offices of their friend, the Governor of the settlement, who readily assured them of his protection. It was arranged for the baptism to take place on Lord's Day, December the 28th. This was on the last Sabbath in the year 1800. But on the previous day a great disappointment was caused by Gokool and the women expressing a wish to defer their baptism. Krishnu, however, was constant, and, with Felix, Carey's son, presented himself for the observance of the Christian ordinance. A number of Europeans, Portuguese, Hindoos, and Mohammedans were present, as was also the Governor of the settlement. The service began by singing, in the Bengalee language, the baptismal hymn :

"Jesus, and shall it ever be

A mortal man ashamed of Thee?"

Ward preached on the subject of baptism. But let the journal further describe this memorable scene :—

"Brother Carey then spoke for a short time in Bengalee; declaring we did not think the river sacred --it was water only, and the person about to be baptized from among them, by this act professed to put off all the debtahs (demi-gods) and all sins, and to put on Christ. After prayer, he (Carey) went down into