William Carey, Fort William College, Calcutta, to Revd John Williams, New York, 11 November 1801.

My dear Bror

         An Opportunity now offers for me to write you a few Lines by my much esteemed Friend Capt Wickes of Philadelphia and tho’ I have but very little to say yet I must say that little[.]

         Since the departure of Capt Hague from this place (by whom I wrote to you) we have been visited with the loss of two Missionaries by Death. Viz. Bror Brunsden who died last July, and Bror Thomas, the first Missionary to this Country who died Oct. 13. last – by these and the preceding Deaths of Brethn Grant and Fountain all in little more than two years we are now reduced to three persons who are Men capable of Action – and should be much discouraged had not our Gracious Lord appeared for us in such a manner as to revive our Hearts and encourage us amidst these scenes of Mortality.

         The God who thus removed four of our Brethren in two Years, has within the last Year given us Six from among the Heathen who have made an open profession of his Name by Baptism, and are now members of our Church – and also two others, one my eldest Son, the other a Gentleman born in China – These are added to our Church – Besides whom we hope for some who are not joined [sic] to us [who have] gone to our Lord above, a Woman who appears to have been savingly converted under a very heavy affliction of which she died, since that her Husband has also been apprehended by Christ and gives us great pleasure – My second son, and another young Man also afford us very lively hopes, so that we glory in the midst of our Afflictions.

         The Lord has also provided in other things beyond our utmost expectations, so that we are supplied with all things necessary for this Life, besides our School which has exceded our hopes – providence has opened a way which was least expected of any things in the World. I was without any Idea of such a thing ever taking place ^when I was^ chosen professor of the Bengalee and Sangskrit [sic] Languages in the College of Fort William; a circumstance of which I had no expectation till I was applied to by the Provost to know if I would accept it – and which with the advice of my Brethren I did. I trust that I am not put into this situation without some especial end to be accomplished thereby. One benefit, I already see, viz a door opening for me to visit some of the native Portuguese who are Roman Catholic – but when afflicted I have found access to some of them, and hope the introduction may contribute to the eternal Salvation of some of them for they are indeed a people sitting in darkness and the Shadow of Death, as ignorant or perhaps more so than the Heathen, and universally despised by people of all Ranks and descriptions –

         I long to hear from you how do you do? How does the Work of God go on with you? I am glad to find that there are many revivals still in different parts of your highly favoured Land – If Capt Hague is in your neighbourhood, give my love to him, and inform him of our Circumstances he will feel somewhat interested therein; – Tell him when he comes to India again not to forget his promise to me to furnish the Garden of the Mission House with some American Productions –

         Farewell my dear Bror. Pray for us that we may be faithful to the end and that the word of the Lord in our Hands may be quick and powerful, sharper than a two edged Sword so that its glorious affects may be seen in the destruction of Sin and Superstition and in the erection of the Kingdom of our glorious Redeemer in this Land of Darkenss and the Shadow of Death – my Love to all who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity I am

                                 Yours

                                             Wm Carey

College of Fort William

Novr 11. 1801

Address: none

Postmark: none

Text: John Williams Letters, RG no. 1207, American Baptist Historical Society Archives, Atlanta.