“‘Alas! yes.’
“Abd.—‘Now the Christians are taught to believe in Jesus, as enduring the shame and pain of death, on the cross, which they deserve; and that, through faith in his sufferings, they shall be saved. They do indeed obey God; yet not of themselves, but by his grace: and their obedience attends their salvation, though not as the price of it.’
“The old man expressed great thankfulness; said he had never heard such things before; told his disciples these were true words, and begged a copy of the Gospel: for which, as Abdool had not taken one with him, he walked down, attended by his retinue. On parting, he begged Abdool would give him a sentence to remember. This is a custom between spiritual guides, when they part after a visit; and the most absurd expressions are common among them on these occasions. Abdool said, ‘There is no such custom among Christians; but I can tell you one sentence, which, if you remember and believe, may be of service to you; and that is, ‘The blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, cleanseth from all sin!’ He requested Abdool would write to him, from time to time, on such subjects.
“Feb. 13th.—Saturday, arrived at Cawnpore. On Sunday, Abdool’s brother, and his nephew, came from Lukhnow to meet him. They received him with great affection, and wished to eat with him, and to be one with him in all things. Abdool wisely would not suffer them, until they should understand the grounds of his conversion, when they might choose. They brought word that a great stir had been made in Lukhnow, on the report of his baptism reaching that place. One night a crowd collected at his father’s house, and demanded that he should openly renounce his apostate son, or they should suspect him also of becoming a Christian. He and the brothers declared they would not renounce Abdool, who always behaved kindly, and now wrote to them with great affection. A tumult ensued, which required the interference of the cutwal, or mayor; and the report was carried to the Nabob’s sons, if not to the Nabob himself. The great men took the part of Abdool’s family, and threatened the other party. These circumstances were partly known; and it had been determined as most advisable for Abdool, not to go to Lukhnow for the present; but on being told of his family’s continued good will and favourable disposition to the gospel, as also that his father, mother, brothers, and sisters, with their children, had determined on coming to see him, if he would not go over—the sisters also resolving to risk the displeasure of their husbands rather than not see him—Abdool thought he ought to go; and we, commending him to the Lord, sent him, with his brother and nephew, with one servant to bring us word of his welfare.
“Abdool is well known here, and his return has excited much talk about religion. It would occupy too much time to record every part of the conversation which he held the first day he went to the Bazar. It would explain exactly what is recorded of St. Paul’s disputing daily in the market. Acts xvii. 17.
“One circumstance seems worthy to be remembered, as it shows that the natives are well aware that Christianity requires diligence in business. A Faqueer by trade, on seeing Abdool, cried out, ‘Ho! you seller of (your) faith, will you give me any thing?’
“Abd.—‘If you desire to purchase spiritual blessings, I may, perhaps, be able to supply you; but, as to worldly things, I have little to give. What I have, I labour for, and you are able to work for your provision, as well as I.’
“The Faqueer replied, ‘So I expected; now you are become English, you would be for setting me to work.—I know their way is, work for your bread! work for your bread!’
“On the evening of Sunday the 21st, we were agreeably surprised by the return of Abdool from Lukhnow. He found the ill-will of his former friends so much excited, that he did not leave his father’s house, during the day he staid there. In the evening he went to a friend’s house, and had much discussion on the subject of religion. He gave ten copies of St. Matthew to different persons who desired them, and prudently withdrew privately; and praised God, he says, when he set foot on British territory.
“Two days after his return, his father, two brothers, and two nephews, came over. Their prejudices appear removed. They joined in prayer, both in private and in church, and declared their intention of embracing Christianity. Most of their inquiries were on the subject of our Lord’s divinity, of which, after having seen the evidences from the Old and New Testaments, they seemed convinced. Their parting with Abdool was very affecting. The old man threw his arms round his son’s neck, and wept plentifully. Abdool was much moved, and said, ‘I pray, sir, forbear your tears. My Lord hath said, He that loveth brother, or sister, or father, or mother, more than me, is not worthy of me.’