REV. HENRY MARTYN, B.D. 55 



their crowded hospitals, are employment enough for one minister, 

 and too much for me, if I would attempt to do anything for the 

 natives. I am accordingly obliged to forego all that might he 

 done in the week, except occasional visits at the hospitals, and on 

 the Lord's Day I preach but once; my attempts last year at more 

 than this, brought on such symptoms of consumption that I 

 was obliged to desist. In the evenings, however, at my own 

 bungalow, where I am not obliged to exert myself much, I can 

 speak a little to a few chosen ones of the 53rd, who meet there 

 every night. These dear men are a great comfort to me, and in 

 the want of other Christian society, ministering to them is a 

 great help towards keeping alive the spark of grace within me. 

 We feel ourselves singularly privileged that we can sing the 

 songs of Zion in this strange land, even beyond the rivers of 

 Babylon. 



Being but lately arrived at this place, I cannot proceed 

 except with caution in instituting schools for the natives. One 

 is well attended, and the book of Grenesis is their school book. 

 Translation is my main work — not Hindostanee, but Persian and 

 Arabic — so that I am rather a servant of the Lord for the two 

 latter countries than India. My Hindostanee is kept in exercise 

 by speaking to my servants, about twenty of them, who assemble 

 to hear the word of God every day. I do not perceive that any 

 good is done among them. Upon the whole my work, you see, is 

 different from what I expected when I left England, less 

 apostolic and much less romantic. At present I am an interpre- 

 ter, by-and-bye I may prophesy, if I purchase to myself a good 

 degree. I desire to be as clay in the hands of the potter, the 

 lowest work in the master's house is an honor of which I am 

 unworthy. 



My dear brethren in the ministry are doing but little 

 for India, tho' much for their own countrymen here. Corrie 

 does all he can, but he has not yet a sufficient command of 

 language. Parson at ISerhampore, and Thompson at Madras, 

 preach the gospel to the English, but do not attempt speaking to 

 the natives. Thomason, lately arrived, has commenced his studies 

 vigorously ; but Calcutta, I fear, will keep his hands full of other 

 work. Dear Mr. Brown, as superintending all, and particularly 

 the translators, is invaluable. The different missionaries you 

 know about from other quarters. Des Granges at Vizagapatam 



