John Chamberlain, Serampore, to John Williams,  New York, 28 October 1812.

Serampore, Octr 28th 1812

My dear Bror

         It is a long time since I wrote to you. Your affectionate letter which came to hand a few months ago reminded me of my great neglect of a very kind friend. But apologies are useless –

         I thank you for your remembrance of me. I am not worthy of your notice, but the work in which I am engaged is worthy of all honour. I have not forgotten my dear Bror or Sisters at New York. I have frequently rejoiced to hear of your prosperity. Blessed be the GOD of all grace who has kept you as his own people, & gladdens you with success in his work.

         You have heard of my leaving Bengal, & of my going to Agra. This will inform you of my removal thence & of the probability of my settling again in Bengal. I was sent down under an arrest by orders of the government, but on what account I know not. Government gives no accounts of matters. A word is law here, without any assigned reason. Had I by any imprudence brought this upon myself ^I should havae been distressed,^ but being conscious of innocence my heart has rather exulted in this unfavorable event than been discouraged by it. When will the Rulers of the Earth be wise? In this country they are exceedingly zealous of that which would be their stability, or foster that, which if GOD do not graciously prevent will[,] it is very probable[,] be their overthrow. Nothing is opposed in this country but true Christianity. Hindoos may burn their poor women, drown one another, bury one another alive, with impunity, ^if not with^ approbation by Government, & Roman Catholics are assisted or permitted to do what they please. A drunken proud tyrannical man, ^or a whoremonger,^ may be a chaplain to their stations, but a Protestant missionary is to be driven about, & suspected of every thing that is wicked & the pious & zealous clergyman is persecuted & despised. Yet blessed be GOD hath triumphed in the midst of these unfavorable circumstances & we rejoice in hope of seeing its success more abundant, & more conspicuously glorious thro the opposition which it meets. 

         At Agra we had much family affliction. Our three children were removed from us by death but we have abundant cause to praise the Father of mercies for his goodness to us. We had a pretty School & a small congregation of Europeans to which I preached & I hope not in vain. Just before our departure, I baptized one & had we continued probably some more had been baptized before this time. There were several respecting ^whom^ we have a pleasing hope that the Lord Jesus has been manifested to them, thro the Holy Spirit’s blessing on the means of grace. The translation of the New Testament into the Hinduwee. I was enabled to begin & the four Gospels are ^nearly^ finished for printing, & a great multitude of the natives heard the word of salvation. Our journey we hope will not have been in vain in which many parts of the N. T. were distributed in many places & many people heard the gospel. A Missionary had this to encourage him that in the cause of Truth no good effort shall be lost. The success may not be apparent, but it shall have its weight in the oppostion to the cause of the Evil One.

         I have spent many a pleasant moment ^half hour^ with our new Bren [&] Sisters whom the good hand of GOD has brought to us, in conversing about America. We are glad to hear of you & your prosperity. Remember me affectionately to my kind friends Smith & Caldwell, & Br Staughton who I am informed is with you. It would have afforded me much pleasure to have had a line from him & his family. Present my thanks to them for their former kind regards to me. I shall be much gratified to hear from them frequently.

         I would most cheerfully fill this sheet, were I not quite jaded with letter writing [sic]. Present my love to your Bren in the Gospel who may have known me. Mrs C. unites in Xn regards to your spouse. Peace & prosperity attend you at home & abroad.

                 I am

                                 Your’s in the bonds of the Gospel

                                             J. Chamberlain

29th Octr

Address: Mr Williams | Baptist Minister | New York | Ship [Harmony?]

Postmark: Philadelphia 4 May [date of letter’s arrival in the US]

Note: “To the care of Mr Ralston

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