“Dec. 5th.—Saturday. We arrived in the neighbourhood of a Christian friend, and our party went from the boats to pass the Sunday at his house and found, literally, in the wilderness God present in our little assembly.
“Abdool could not get the boatmen to attend him; and therefore, taking the Christian children with him, he went to a village at a little distance, and began to sing his hymn. The whole village, men, women, and children, soon gathered round him; he explained to them the ten commandments, and enforced their obligation. They heard with much attention.”
“Dec. 29th.—At Dinapore we were gratified with the sight of a large school of native children, kept by the Baptist missionaries. They have another school in a neighbouring village. One of the missionaries told me, that Mr. Martyn’s name is held in great esteem by the natives here; and that the schools which he had instituted when here, had rendered the way easier; for the people now send their children to school without scruple. I remember it was not so when Mr. Martyn began his schools.”
“1813, Jan. 3.—Sunday. Our boat staid at Ribbon Gunge. In the afternoon, Abdool went into the bazar, and preached. At first, the people showed no attention; but gradually, one and another stood, till a crowd collected, and more attention seemed excited than at any place before. After he had finished his discourse, the people gathered round him, and asked many questions about the names which he had mentioned. Three came down to his boat with him, and passed a good deal of the evening in conversation; writing down from his lips what he told them in brief of Christian truth.”
“Jan. 7th.—At Baxar. Early in the morning walked with Abdool toward the European barracks. On drawing near, some of the native wives of the soldiers recognized me, and several came out and expressed their gladness to see me, and said they should be happy to have public worship. These had been of my congregation at Chunar. Abdool expressed great satisfaction, and observed that this was the first time he had seen native Christians desire divine service. About ten, we had public worship with the Europeans, the commanding officer attending. About twenty native Christians, mostly women, assembled in another place, with Abdool; after reading prayers, he was led to discourse long on subjects which occurred at the time, and says he never felt his heart so drawn out during any exercise as here. Several, also, of the congregation were affected, even to tears.”
“Jan. 10th.—Sunday. Rested at Ghazeepore. In the afternoon, Abdool walked into the native town. Met with the chief land-owner in the place and neighbourhood; a man of wealth and of great good nature, and much esteemed among his own people, as a holy man. After some conversation, he invited Abdool to his house, where about a hundred people were assembled, before whom much discussion took place about religion. The above person showed more disposition to attend than any of them; and begged to have two copies of St. Matthew, and two of Persian, and that all the translations should be sent him from time to time.”
“Jan. 14th.—We reached Benares. On Friday, Abdool went up to Secrole, to visit a native doctor there, of Portuguese origin. They had much conversation together, with which the above person expressed himself greatly delighted. He thankfully accepted a copy of the morning prayer and litany, promising to begin worship in his family. Abdool visited other native Christians there, with less satisfaction. In returning to his boat, he had a long discussion with a crowd of Mussulmans.
“On Saturday, Abdool went to Chunar; and on Sunday forenoon, held public worship there. On that, but few attended; but those were greatly affected; many of them even to loud sobbing and tears. They earnestly requested that he would preach again the next day, which he did to a large assembly; and on Tuesday also. They heard with great attention, and detained him long afterwards with inquiries on the subject on which he had addressed them. A party came down to his boat, begging he would read the scriptures to them; and adding, ‘Alas! when master was here,’ (meaning Mr. Corrie, who had been chaplain at Chunar,) ‘we paid too little attention to his labours. Would you were to remain among us!’”
“Jan. 22.—At Mirzapore, a young man came on board, who said he had followed from Chunar, on purpose to hear more from Abdool, and to beg a copy of the translation. He is the son of a Zemindar, and appears serious, and full of inquiries. He said he knew, that in the latter days, all shall become of one religion; and he supposed the time to be at hand.”
“Jan. 23.—In the morning we arrived at Allahabad.