Part 3
Feb. 7, 1801,
saw the issuing of Carey's translation of the New Testament. On the completion
of this great undertaking, a special meeting was convened for the purpose of
giving thanks unto God. The publication of the Bengalee New Testament naturally
directed attention to Mr. Carey. The eminent scholarship it disclosed pointed
him out at once as the teacher who might fittingly occupy the Bengalee chair in the government college at Fort William.
His first position was that of teacher of Bengalee, afterwards of Sanscrit and
of Mahratta, with a salary of; 6oo per annum. From teacher he became professor.
As professor of the three Oriental languages his emoluments rose to, 15,000.
But the whole of this income, with the exception of some ^40
needed for the support of his family, he
devoted to the interests of the mission. Carey held his position of professor
until 1830, within four years of his death, and proved himself more than equal to his
office, winning the esteem and affection of students and colleagues alike.
It was not to
be expected that the Serampore labors would be allowed to proceed without
political interference. Serious difficulties arose, threatening not only the
existence of the press, but of the mission itself. As the time drew near for
the renewal of the East India Company's charter, the friends of missions directed
their efforts toward securing the introduction of clauses permitting the free
entrance of missionaries into India, and liberty to propagate the Christian
religion. The bill passed the Commons, July 13, and was accepted by the Lords,
arid entrance was granted.
The new chapel
at Calcutta was duly opened, Jan. i, 1809, and Carey conducted the week-day
services there. And while his professional engagements and his literary
pursuits detained him often in Serampore and Calcutta, yet he eagerly seized
any opportunity that arose for itinerating, with a view to extending
Christianity. In 1807 Mrs. Carey died, having long suffered from insanity; and
in the following year Carey married Miss Charlotte Rumohr, of noble Danish
descent. She entered heartily into all the concerns of the mission, and was a
great help to her husband until her death, which occurred in 1820.
Besides
translating the Bible into seven different languages, Mr. Carey wrote grammars
and elementary books of all the languages he had acquired. The improvement upon
native paper for press purposes, by manufacturing it so as to be proof against
destruction by insects, was an immense advantage gained by the ingenuity of the
missionaries, and the importation of a steam-engine of twelve horse-power for
working their paper-mill was a striking evidence of the enterprise of these
men.
No memoir of
William Carey would be complete which did not record his benevolent endeavors
to improve the social condition of the natives of India. The first reform he
helped to effect was the prohibition of the sacrifice of children at the great
annual festival at Gunga Sangor. Another reform to which Carey gave his
determined attention was the abolition of burning widows on the pile of their
dead husbands. The benevolent institutions for instructing the children of
indigent parents originated in the philanthropic sympathies of Carey; and in
the year 1817 no less than forty-five schools had been established. A leper
hospital was founded, and a vernacular newspaper published. Carey possessed in
not a few branches of natural history a knowledge so scientific that it was
more than sufficient to command respect. His practical knowledge of botany and
agriculture resulted in very material benefit to India, and lays that country
under a debt of obligation which can never be discharged. In 1817 was begun the missionary training institute, which afterwards
grew to a college, and was placed upon the same basis as other colleges of
Europe.
For forty-one
years William Carey was spared to labor for the good of India. He outlived
nearly all who were associated with him in his prolonged residence, unbroken by
any return to England. He died June 9, 1834. During his lifetime Carey's great
attainments called forth honorable recognition. Brown University in the United
States conferred upon him the degree of D.D. The Linnaean, Horticultural, and
Geological Societies admitted him to their memberships; and men of high
position, such as the Marquis of Wellesley and Lord Hastings, extolled his
worth. But he cared little for worldly praise; his great desire “to be useful
in laying the foundation of the Church of Christ in India " was surely
accomplished, and he wished for "no greater reward," " no higher
honor."
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