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the sacred office which he sustained, attracted the veneration of all.

On Saturday, Jan. 8, Dr. Coke proposed to give a short lecture upon some passage of scripture the next day, after the captain had read prayers on deck this offer was not denied, but, the weather being unfavourable, we were prevented from having service in the intended manner. However, this offer of the Doctor's was not afterwards entreated; this was rather a painful subject of reflection to him, but he observed, "I believe our captain has his reasons for it." Since the Doctor's death, Captain Birch informed me that his instructions from his employers were, that "he should go on just as usual;" the captain added, that it "had frequently been a matter of pain to him, to hinder so excellent and valuable a man from doing all the good in his power. I cannot express the regard and respect which I have had for Dr. Coke, since I have had the honour and very great pleasure of knowing him;" but many of the passengers were disappointed; they frequently expressed their sorrow and regret that Dr. Coke could not fulfil his promise.

In the whole of his voyage he seemed to live with his mind fixed on that passage, Eph. x. 16, Redeeming the time. He had no idle moment, though in a ship: the work in which he was engaged occupied his attention next to communion with God; every action of the day tended to forward the work of God in Asia. In the beginning of the voyage he corrected part of the Old and New Testament of the Portuguese Vulgate; this he intended to print immediately on our arrival at Ceylon; but when reflecting on the importance of setting the press for the Old and New Testaments, and the infancy of our work, it was thought proper to defer that at present, and begin with something of less magnitude, such as Tracts, Prayers, Hymns, Sermons, Portuguese Prayers, and translate our Hymns; I believe he has translated nearly 50.

Drawing near the line, I began to have serious impressions that the Doctor would materially injure his health, and expressed those fears to Mr. Harvard, who was fully of the same opinion. I also consulted several medical gentlemen on board the ship, who were witnesses of his conduct; and they gave it as their decided

opinion, that if he pursued the same line of conduct in India, he would very soon injure himself. But the difficulty was how to prevail upon him to give up any, or almost the whole of that employment in which he so much delighted, and which he considered of such importance. However, I would say, "Doctor, you certainly must take a little exercise in the open air upon deck; it will undoubtedly be conducive to your health," he frequently complied; at other times he would refuse, stating, (no doubt, what in some respects was true,) that the motion of the ship was a great deal of exercise to him. Knowing the delight he took in viewing any thing that was curious or new, I sometimes had him out several times in a day, to see shoals of flying fish chased by a dolphin; a shoal of porpoises; the catching of a shark; to see a whale, or view an island; and he always thanked me for giving him the information. He also took great delight in viewing the beautiful appearance of the clonds about sun-set, which in those latitudes are strikingly grand; and on these occasions I could sometimes keep him upon deck for half an hour; yet he laboured very hard, and always rose with the sun; so that when we were under the line, he began to be a little out of order; but soon recovered; and from that period until we got round the Cape, and near the line again, he was as active and lively as I ever knew him to be. Yet, I believe this kind of labour was too severe for a man of his advanced age in this hot climate, and I am sorry to add, not only from my own thoughts, but also from the judgment of the above-mentioned medical gentlemen, that it was one means of hastening his sudden death. Yet while we view and deplore this conduct, as exemplified in the case of our venerable leader, it is a standard of emulation, at which all young ministers ought to aspire; and even our passengers confessed that Dr. Coke's conduct was a tacit reproof to all. The only way in which I can account for his unremitting labours is this:-that as Asia had so long occupied his serious attention, and to send the gospel to so great a number of immortal souls, who were in heathenish darkness and superstition, was now the chief concern of his life; as more than once since we came on board, he had told me that if he had not succeeded in establishing the present mission, he believed it would bave broke his heart; but having so clear a dis

cause.

covery of the will of God on the subject, he cast himself upon his direction, fully persuaded that his way would be opened; and having so far succeeded, he took it as a proof of the divine approbation of the undertaking, and now determined to spend and be spent in so glorious a And now having made a beginning, by translating and composing in Portuguese, he experienced great joy in his soul; and when he had composed a short sermon or prayer, he always read them to us with joy and gratitude; but that which afforded him the greatest joy was, when, in our prayer-meetings, we sung his translation of our hymns into Portuguese; and which (according to our judgment) were translated astonishingly well. Among all these labours, our ever dear father enjoyed deep communion with his Lord and Saviour; this we felt both in our public and private meetings, when he had the soldiers together who desired to flee from the wrath to come. How lovingly and earnestly he would address them! and how fervently he would address the Lord Jesus on their behalf! These little meetings he considered as dawnings of the gospel in the East. One trait

in his character while on the voyage I ought not to omit: when at any time the weather was stormy, or when on any occasion there appeared any fears or alarm, he would encourage the passengers, by observing in what small ships he had frequently taken long voyages; what distressing scenes he had witnessed, and how far short this came of what he had witnessed; then he would remind them of our fine large ship; our comfortable accommodations, &c. &c. and the goodness of God in preserving us from day to day; and that he had no doubt but that the same God would bring us safe to the end of our voyage, and that all things would be for the best. Thus, while he encouraged their hopes, and enlivened their apprehensions, he gained their approbation and esteem.

Those of our company who were on board the Lady Melville, began morning and evening prayers on their entrance into the ship; and also class-meetings every Sabbath. This they always found to be a soul-reviving and strengthening mean of grace. They had from one to three persons who met with them. Their evening meetings were generally attended by several soldiers: and for a few Sabbath evenings their cabin was very well

filled. And on Sunday, Jan. 30, several of the military and ship's officers sent a note, informing them, that if agreeable, they would attend the evening prayers. To this request the brethren cheerfully acceded. Brother Squance, after reading a chapter, spoke about 20 minutes on Heb. ii. 3. After the conclusion of the meeting, they expressed thankfulness. On the next Sabbath evening, as the cabin was too small, the military officers requested them to accept of their large cabin, as several more gentlemen and ladies intended to attend the lecture. The captain, with most of the passengers, and several of the ship's officers, attended. The next Sabbath evening, as one of the military officers was unwell, the brethren were requested to stand in the steerage. This was just what they anxiously desired, as all the soldiers and sailors who had wished to hear, might there have an opportunity. From this time, (Feb. 6,) each brother preached in his turn during the voyage. For these opportunities the brethren were truly thankful to God. They also commenced the duty of visiting the sick; and continued this practice till they left the ship: they found this also to be profitable to themselves.

April 8, being Good Friday, and 10, Easter Sunday, being separated from all our religious friends, and from the church of God in Europe, with whom we had spent so many Christian Sabbaths, and days of communion, and who on these occasions were solemnly commemorating the dying and risen Saviour; we considered it our duty and our privilege to partake of the sacred ordinance, which we blessedly experienced to be owned of God.From the Doctor's death till our arrival at Bombay, we had no opportunity of an interview with each other. Shortly after we cast anchor on the 21st of May, brothers Harvard and Clough visited those of the Melville. It was then realized that no letters or papers among the Doctor's papers authorised us to become his executors, or to draw money for our support. The brethren stated Captain Birch's friendship; and that a simple, plain statement of our case had been given to him, with which he appeared to be well pleased; and promised to render us every assistance in his power. Immediately on his landing in Bombay, he represented our case to Thomas Money, Esq. and to several of the principal gentlemen of Bombay; so that when brother Harvard, whom we

appointed to act in our name, presented to him a letter, which Dr. Coke had had to that gentleman) he was received as a friend and at once proposed to advance money to us on the respectability of our society. And also kindly assured our brother, that were it not for the delicate state of his health, he would feel pleasure to accompany and introduce him to the governor; to whom the Doctor had recommendatory letters from gentlemen of the highest respectability in England. But this also Captain Birch most generously undertook and performed.

His excellency received Captain Birch and brother Harvard with the utmost politeness; and during breakfast, observed the high opinion of some noblemen in England of the loyalty and usefulness of the late Rev. Mr. Wesley, and talked of Dr. Coke and his death: and in a private way gave orders to his secretary to order a house in the fort for us. But this being previously occupied, he appointed his country-seat at Parell, five miles from town, for our residence. But at this time we

received information that the ship Spencer, of 650 tons, Captain Mitchell, would sail for Ceylon very soon; we determined to avail ourselves of so favourable an opportunity. Of this we informed his excellency in our letter of thanks which we sent him; and then removed, May 27, from the inn to Parell. We now expect to sail on the 17 inst. but as several friends and a medical gentleman highly disapprove of sister Harvard, in her present state, going to sea, brother and sister Harvard must remain here for some time. We have already drawn on Mr. Money for 600 rupees, which we hope will nearly clear us out of Bombay.

We have felt considerable pain on account of the vast expences necessary on an unsettled state in such a place as this. These in detail you may expect in our next. Captain Birch has also advanced us £400 which the Doctor lent him in England, as his own property. And though he believes it was designed for the use of the mission, yet he considers it his duty to have a draft from us on you for the amount; which we have given him at three months after sight, and which we hope you will thankfully accept. This we purpose to deposit with Mr. Money, and take a draft on his agent in Ceylon, for the amount and on this ground we intend to proceed

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