the life of william carey-第37节
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〃There is a vessel now lying here； which is destined to take round an Ambassador from this Government to Bengal。 He expects to go in about a month； as he told me。 He is now waiting for final instructions from Ava。 If Felix be really to be sent to Bengal again； I think it most probable that he will be ordered to accompany this ambassador。
〃Mrs。 J。 was on the point of taking passage with Captain Hitchins； to obtain some medical advice in Bengal； but she has been a little better for a few days； and has given up the plan for the present。 This is a delightful climate。 We have now seen all the seasons； and can therefore judge。 The hot weather in March and April is the chief exception。 Nature has done everything for this country； and the Government is very indulgent to all foreigners。 When we see how we are distinguished above all around； even in point of worldly comforts； we feel that we want gratitude。 O that we may be faithful in the improvement of every mercy； and patient under every trial which God may have in store for us。 We know not how the Gospel can ever be introduced here： everything； in this respect； appears as dark as midnight。〃
By 1816 Judson had prepared the Gospel of Matthew in Burmese； following up short tracts 〃accommodated to the optics of a Burman。〃
Carey's third son Jabez was clerk to a Calcutta attorney at the time； in 1812； when Dr。 Ryland preached in the Dutch Church； Austin Friars； the anniversary sermon on the occasion of the removal of the headquarters of the Society to London。 Pausing in the midst of his discourse； after a reference to Carey； the preacher called on the vast congregation silently to pray for the conversion of Jabez Carey。 The answer came next year in a letter from his father：〃My son Jabez； who has been articled to an attorney； and has the fairest prospects as to this world； is become decidedly religious； and prefers the work of the Lord to every other。〃 Lord Minto's expeditions of 1810 and 1811 had captured the islands swept by the French privateers from Madagascar to Java； and there was soon an end of the active hostility of the authorities to Christianity。 Sir Stamford Raffles governed Java in the spirit of a Christian statesman。 The new Governor…General； Lord Moira； afterwards Marquis of Hastings； proved to be the most enlightened and powerful friend the mission had had。 In these circumstances； after the charter of 1813 had removed the legislative excuse for intolerance； Dr。 Carey was asked by the Lieutenant…Governor to send missionaries and Malay Bibles to the fifty thousand natives of Amboyna。 The Governor…General repeated the request officially。 Jabez Carey was baptised； married； and despatched at the cost of the state before he could be ordained。 Amboyna； it will be perceived； was not in India； but far enough away to give the still timid Company little apprehension as to the influence of the missionaries there。 The father's heart was very full when he sent forth the son：
〃24th January 1814。You are now engaging in a most important undertaking； in which not only you will have our prayers for your success； but those of all who love our Lord Jesus Christ； and who know of your engagement。 I know that a few hints for your future conduct from a parent who loves you very tenderly will be acceptable； and I shall therefore now give you them； assured that they will not be given in vain。
〃1st。 Pay the utmost attention at all times to the state of your own mind both towards God and man： cultivate an intimate acquaintance with your own heart； labour to obtain a deep sense of your depravity and to trust always in Christ； be pure in heart； and meditate much upon the pure and holy character of God； live a life of prayer and devotedness to God； cherish every amiable and right disposition towards men； be mild； gentle； and unassuming； yet firm and manly。 As soon as you perceive anything wrong in your spirit or behaviour set about correcting it； and never suppose yourself so perfect as to need no correction。
〃2nd。 You are now a married man； be not satisfied with conducting yourself towards your wife with propriety； but let love to her be the spring of your conduct towards her。 Esteem her highly； and so act that she may be induced thereby to esteem you highly。 The first impressions of love arising from form and beauty will soon wear off； but the esteem arising from excellency of disposition and substance of character will endure and increase。 Her honour is now yours； and she cannot be insulted without your being degraded。 I hope as soon as you get on board； and are settled in your cabin； you will begin and end each day by uniting together to pray and praise God。 Let religion always have a place in your house。 If the Lord bless you with children； bring them up in the fear of God； and be always an example to others of the power of godliness。 This advice I give also to Eliza； and if it is followed you will be happy。
〃3rd。 Behave affably and genteelly to all； but not cringingly towards any。 Feel that you are a man； and always act with that dignified sincerity and truth which will command the esteem of all。 Seek not the society of worldly men； but when called to be with them act and converse with propriety and dignity。 To do this labour to gain a good acquaintance with history； geography； men； and things。 A gentleman is the next best character after a Christian； and the latter includes the former。 Money never makes a gentleman； neither does a fine appearance； but an enlarged understanding joined to engaging manners。
〃4th。 On your arrival at Amboyna your first business must be to wait on Mr。 Martin。 You should first send a note to inform him of your arrival； and to inquire when it will suit him to receive you。 Ask his advice upon every occasion of importance； and communicate freely to him all the steps you take。
〃5th。 As soon as you are settled begin your work。 Get a Malay who can speak a little English； and with him make a tour of the island； and visit every school。 Encourage all you see worthy of encouragement； and correct with mildness； yet with firmness。 Keep a journal of the transactions of the schools； and enter each one under a distinct head therein。 Take account of the number of scholars； the names of the schoolmasters； compare their progress at stated periods； and； in short； consider this as the work which the Lord has given you to do。
〃6th。 Do not； however； consider yourself as a mere superintendent of schools； consider yourself as the spiritual instructor of the people； and devote yourself to their good。 God has committed the spiritual interests of this island20；000 men or moreto you； a vast charge； but He can enable you to be faithful to it。 Revise the catechism； tracts； and school…books used among them； and labour to introduce among them sound doctrine and genuine piety。 Pray with them as soon as you can； and labour after a gift to preach to them。 I expect you will have much to do with them respecting baptism。 They all think infant sprinkling right； and will apply to you to baptise their children； you must say little till you know something of the language； and then prove to them from Scripture what is the right mode of baptism and who are the proper persons to be baptised。 Form them into Gospel churches when you meet with a few who truly fear God； and as soon as you see any fit to preach to others； call them to the ministry and settle them with the churches。 You must baptise and administer the Lord's Supper according to your own discretion when there is a proper occasion for it。 Avoid indolence and love of ease； and never attempt to act the part of the great and gay in this world。
〃7th。 Labour incessantly to become a perfect master of the Malay language。 In order to this； associate with the natives； walk out with them； ask the name of everything you see； and note it down； visit their houses； especially when any of them are sick。 Every night arrange the words you get in alphabetical order。 Try to talk as soon as you get a few words； and be as much as possible one of them。 A course of kind and attentive conduct will gain their esteem and confidence and give you an opportunity of doing much good。
〃8th。 You will soon learn from Mr。 Martin the situation and disposition of the Alfoors or aboriginal inhabitants； and will see what can be done for them。 Do not unnecessarily expose your life； but incessantly contrive some way of giving them the word of life。
〃9th。 I come now to things of inferior importance； but which I hope you will not neglect。 I wish you to learn correctly the number； size； and geography of the islands； the number and description of inhabitants； their customs and manners； and everything of note relative to them； and regularly communicate these things to me。
〃Your great work； my dear Jabez； is that of a Christian minister。 You would have been solemnly set apart thereto if you could have stayed long enough to have permitted it。 The success of your labours does not depend upon an outward ceremony； nor does your right to preach the Gospel or administer the ordinances of the Gospel depend on any such thing； but only on the Divine call expressed in the Word of God。 The Church has； however； in their intentions and wi
