David Brown (1763-1812), Chaplain in Calcutta, Bengal, to John Ryland, Bristol, 3 September 1806.

Calcutta 3d Sepr 1806

Revd & dear Sir

         Mr Marshman requested me this morning, as I was down from Serampore, to forward a letter to you by the Packet under dispatch.  It occur’d to me that it might not be unacceptable to you to peruse the information which I have sent to M.r Grant, on a subject which has lately given much concern to the Missionaries, & to all who feel an interest in the spread of the Redeemer’s Kingdom.  I therefore take the liberty to send you the enclosed Extract.

         Some years ago you honor’d me with a letter, in which you earnestly pres’d an enquiry to be made concerning the Cochin M.S.S. – M.r Marshman I believe informed you at my request, that the enquiry would be pursued.  I had in my hand the original letter of President Styles, & I gave it, with yours, to D.r Buchanan, who by this time is on the very Spot deputed by Government to investigate the matter fully.  Perhaps no man on Earth is better qualified in all respects for the undertaking.  He announced his intentions long ago in his memoir, which you have no doubt seen.  But Heb. M.S.S. are perhaps the least important part of his Mission.  He is about to explore the state of the Syrian Christians, among whom I expect he will find M.S.S. of the Gospels of great antiquity, and other records of importance.

         Your letter therefore, Dear Sir, has not been lost labour, but is producing fruit at this distant Period.

         The Mission at Serampore is almost a new thing in the Earth for purity of doctrine, zeal, good order and wise Management.  I have cause to bless God for it, for my family lives, as it were, in the bosom of it.  Three such men as Carey, Marshman & Ward are seldom to be found united together.  They compose a threefold Cable, not to be broken.  Their qualities unite well – M.r Carey is firm, prudent & persevering.  M.r Marshman abounds in the rare grace of Zeal, which surmounts all obstacles, & keeps all alive & in Motion; and M.r Ward’s solid Judgment, & personal religion gives stability & beauty the union.  They are as devoted, & active as men can be. – The other Bre.n of the Mission are worthy to be followers of these three first, tho’ they may not attain unto the first three. –It would be an incalculable advantage if they were join’d by a few Classical Men, or such as could assist them in their Great work of Translation, by having some skill in the Knowledge of the Original Scriptures.  It would perhaps be very difficult to find in all the Universities of the Land two men equally qualified for the Undertaking in all respects, with M.r Carey & Marshman.  But surely a Minister or two of the best furnished belonging  to your Society might be induced to devote ten or fifteen years to the glorious object of diffusing thro’ the Earth translations of the Holy Scriptures.  They need not enter on other Missionary plans, unless inclined.

         I take the liberty of Writing this, because the want of a little Heb: Greek & Latin is what I am perpetually lamenting.

         I think you need not be much alarm’d at the Step which Gov.t has taken.  The Bre.n have work enough in hand, and a door will be open’d in time, when they will be better qualified for the Work, and have more leisure to pursue it.  I have often prophesied that the day of Trial would come, & that they must not think of going to Heaven in Silver Slippers. Perhaps no individual has experienced more favor, from a succession of Governors, than I have done, for more than twenty years; yet I do not think I have pas’d thro’, with half the ease & comfort, that the Serampore Missionaries have hitherto done.  Year after year, and never more so than the last, I have been made to feel the meaning of the Psalmists’ words in their fullest import, viz

“our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, & with the contempt of the Proud.”

         It was the glory of Lord Wellesley’s Gov.t that he protected & promoted Religion, encouraged translations, & patronized every learned & worthy undertaking.  Should he ever return to India, well might “the Earth rejoice, & the multitude of the Isles be glad thereof:” and no individuals would have more reason to rejoice than worthy Missionaries.   I am,

                     Dear sir, with the greatest respect & esteem

                                 Most faithfully yours

                                             D. Brown

to the Rev.d D.r Ryland

Address: none

Endorsed on last page by Ryland: “Recd at Birmingham | April 2d 1807.

Text: NLW MS. 14348D, National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth. David Brown (1763-1812) was a Chaplain for the East India Company in Calcutta, Bengal, and founder of the Calcutta Bible Society.