“July 18th.—This afternoon the above person made his appearance, with his son, at worship in the city. He had thought, he said, of sending his son first: but afterward reflected, ‘This is not a work to be delayed, or trifled with.’ He publicly professed, before all the people assembled, that he was come expressly to receive baptism. He laid aside his turban, and knelt down to prayer with the Christian part of the assembly.
“July 23.—To-day, Abdool’s eldest nephew, after many solicitations, was examined for baptism. So long since as the beginning of May, he had been observed diligent in secret duties; and the questions which he asked, discovered an awakened conscience. On Monday last, he began to read the Scriptures, and pray with the Catechumens. This was after repeated requests to be allowed to do so, and diligent application to private reading of the Scriptures. To-day he was asked, ‘Why do you wish to be baptized?’ He said, ‘Because I am conscious of many and great sins, and I wish to enter on the way of forgiveness.’
“Ques.—‘But perhaps the English government may not always remain in this land; and you know, in that case, the Hindoos and Mohammedans would persecute you: what would you do?’
“Ans.—‘Certainly, since they despised, and persecuted, and ill-treated the Saviour, I can expect no other; but, through his help, I would remain firm.’
“July 24th.—During the whole of this week, the Hugeem from Berthpore has attended daily with his son. The Epistle to the Hebrews was appointed to be read, to show him the connexion between the Old and New Testaments. As we went on, his attention was evidently attracted by the peculiar truths of the Gospel—the divinity of Christ—his suitableness, as God, to be a Saviour—the sufficiency of his sacrifice, and the extent of it, as reaching to sins under the former dispensation also. The passages connected with these subjects, drew from him many expressions indicative of a truly enlightened mind. He has been daily also inquiring about baptism; and as the subject has been on his mind above two years, and he is now evidently decided in his choice, it was agreed to baptize him to-morrow. After talking of his family, I asked if he was aware of any thing in his own history for which God might be justly displeased with him. He answered, ‘What have I done, that deserves the name of virtue, all my days? If I have done any thing good at all, it is this acceptance of the truth.’”
Bishop Heber makes mention of Messeeh, in his Journal, near Agra, January 12th, 1825, as follows:—
“Abdool Messeeh breakfasted this morning at Mr. Irving’s; he is a very fine old man, with a magnificent grey beard, and much more gentlemanly manners, than any Christian native whom I have seen. His rank, indeed, previous to his conversion, was rather elevated, since he was master of the jewels to the court of Oude, an appointment of higher estimation in eastern palaces, than in those of Europe, and the holder of which has always a high salary. Abdool Messeeh’s present appointments, as Christian missionary, are sixty rupees a month,[18] and of this, he gives away at least half. Who can dare to say, that this man has changed his faith from any interested motives? He is a very good Hindoostanee, Persian, and Arabic scholar, but knows no English. There is a small congregation of native Christians, converted under Mr. Corrie, when he was chaplain at Agra, and now kept together by Abdool Messeeh. The earnest desire of this good man is, to be ordained a clergyman of the church of England; and if God spares his life and mine, I hope, during the next autumn, to confer orders on him. He is every way fit for them, and is a most sincere Christian, quite free, so far as I could observe, from all conceit or enthusiasm. His long eastern dress, his long grey beard, and his calm, resigned countenance, give him already almost the air of an apostle.”
In that year he was much afflicted by losing the use of his limbs by the palsy; ‘but,’ said he, ‘I can move about in a carriage, and God grants me the faculty of speech. Through his blessing, I trust I shall be permitted, until death, to declare the truths of the gospel. When, at length, this sinful body of mine is dead, and shall have put on immortality, may I be found among the least of the blessed!’
Thus he maintained a consistent Christian life, and his closing hours were brightened with Christian hope.
“He became ill; and Dr. Luxmore, finding him in a dying condition, from mortification, had him conveyed to his own house, where he was supplied with suitable medicine, nourishment, and attendance, to the last. He expressed his deep gratitude for this change of residence; for he said, that had he died at home among his own relations, they perhaps would have interred his remains according to the ceremonies of their own erroneous faith: ‘But now,’ said he, ‘Christian brethren will bury me.’ He expressed himself as perfectly resigned; and said that death had no terrors for him, for that his Saviour had deprived it of its sting. He expressed to a friend who attended on him, his gratitude for the kind attention of Mr. Ricketts, the Resident, saying, ‘See the fruits of Christian love!’ The day before his death, he requested his friend to write his will. A house which the Resident had enabled him to purchase, he left to his mother; his books to the Bible Society, and his clothes to a nephew. After concluding these formalities, he said, ‘Thanks be to God, I have done with this world! and with regard to my mother,’ putting his hands in a supplicating posture, ‘I commend her to God:’ then, laying his hand upon his nephew, he said to his friend, ‘Speak to the Resident, that no one be allowed to injure him:’ then desiring his friend to come near him, and putting his hands in an attitude of prayer, he said, ‘O Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, be gracious to——’