1820 WILLIAM CAREY AND SERAMPORE. Broadside on Controversy & ALS by John Foster on Missionary Widows

Partial broadside regarding the ongoing marginalization of William Carey, William Ward, and Joshua Marshman at Serampore, and their defense by long-time friend, John Foster. A fascinating look at the treatment of the Serampore Trio in later years by the Baptist Missionary Society may be found here. 

The text of the broadside as follows:

. . . and larger ability; an ability exercised under a formal and public accountableness, added to the Christian motives which have directed their own voluntary expenditure to that use.

In this attempt to enforce the Appeal by some considerations on which they could not themselves so pointedly insist, it is little necessary to go into the wider subject of the importance of missionary undertakings generally, as an obvious expedient toward effecting a happy change in the state of mankind. That being taken for granted, as now needing no argument, the immediate purpose here is to show, how greatly that general object may be promoted by means of these particular men; to represent, and in a manner perfectly clear of all hostility, rivalry, or jealousy, as toward any other missionary bodies, that en who have proved themselves so peculiarly adapted to that important work, and have so long maintained an extraordinary diligence and devotedness in prosecuting it, are in the highest degree qualified and disposed for turning to the best account, in a persevering prosecution of it, whatever shall be supplied to them by Christian liberality. To which it may be added, in reference to the advanced age of the elder brethren, that they must naturally feel a more earnest care than any other men can, and have better means to judge, how to provide, in the adjustment of their measures and the choice of their associates and successors, for the continued progress of the good work after they shall be withdrawn from it by death.

Induced by this consideration of their peculiar and eminent qualification for the important employment, in which they have so long evinced an admirable zeal, assiduity, and disinterestedness, and feeling that their claims are enforced with a special urgency by that reduction of their means which has threatened to put an end to some of their most valuable operations, a number of individuals in Bristol, Bath, and their respective neighbourhoods, whose names are undersigned, have agreed to act provisionally, for the immediate purpose of obtaining subscriptions, and with a view to form, as speedily as possible, for each of those places an Association in aid of Serampore. The Donors and Subscribers will shortly be convened; when, it is confidently hoped, the design will be carried into effect.

Printed by Fuller of Bristol, i.e. J. G. Fuller, son of the Baptist divine, Andrew Fuller and the quasi-official printer of the Baptists, Baptist College in Bristol, and the Baptist Missionary Society.

Reverse manuscript as follows:

. . . his widow and four children, it is intended without delay to commence a subscription for the purpose of making an adequate addition. If there be within your circle any liberal person of wealth, who has not already as many demands on it for benevolent purposes as he can meet, the case in question could be highly worthy of his attention.

I am here called off, and have only time to say, that I wish the kindest remembrances and regards to my old friend, Mrs. F. - that I shall be glad to hear from you at all times, and that I remain, my dear friend, yours with unchanged regard,
J. Foster.