1828 JOSHUA MARSHMAN Autograph Letter Regarding Controversy, Fund-Raising, &c.

Very rare and extensive 1828 autograph letter by Joshua Marshman [1768-1837] and, with William Carey and William Ward, became an integral part of the Baptist Missionary Society at Serampore.

Some sources seem to imply that it was actually Marshman who helped Carey become more productive with the mission and that all of Carey's success may well have been impossible without him. 

Marshman was a talented and gifted scholar. He worked together with Carey to translate Scripture into many Indian Languages.  

Then, in 1818, William Carey, Joshua Marshman and William Ward issued a prospectus (written by Marshman) for a proposed new "College for the instruction of Asiatic, Christian, and other youth in Eastern literature and European science". Thus was born Serampore College, which still continues to this day. 

At times funds were tight, and after a brief and false rumor alleging misapplication of funds caused the flow of funds being raised by Ward in America to dry up, Carey wrote,

"Dr. Marshman is as poor as I am, and I can scarcely lay by a sum monthly to relieve three or four indigent relatives in Europe. I might have had large possessions, but I have given my all, except what I ate, drank, and wore, to the cause of missions, and Dr. Marshman has done the same, and so did Mr. Ward." 

The present letter remains unpublished and was penned while Marshman was in England, Scotland, and Ireland raising funds for Serampore. 

"Edinburgh, June 20th, 1828

My Dear Sir [Rev. George Sample],

I have been ******* with yours of the 17th enclosing the Revelations of your Society at their last meeting. On that subject, being called to endure distress after having for so many years sought to promote the cause of God in India, I regard it as my duty to avoid expressing any feeling of resentment in return, which you will esteem a sufficient reason for my forbearing to give any opinion on the subject of these Revelations. Of your affection to us and your kind desire to furnish support for our missionary operation I cannot be insensible, but let me intreat that what you do for us may be done in the spirit of Christian love toward all engaged in the same work. 

If there have been improper feelings anywhere indulged, let us not suffer our minds to dwell upon them; let us bury them in oblivion. To support the cause of God in India is right and good; and for the desire of the friends in Newcastle to support that part of it which we are seeking to promote, I feel thankful to God and grateful to them.

I hope I shall be able to visit you before I embark for India, which I fear cannot be until the beginning of next year. But as it is so necessary for me to avoid whatever might be made an occasion of blame, would it not be better for me to be with you at another time rather than when you are proposing a resolution for appropriating a part of your funds to the support of the cause with us?

This should be your own act in every sense of the word; and I think it would be better for me not to be there at that time. But at another time, when I can be with you without the possibility of that which is in itself good being evil spoken of, I shall rejoice to be with you.

Mr. Anderson proposes being at Bedford next Lord's day, and will be with you Thursday or Friday on his return to Scotland. You can then converse with him at leisure. The friends I have been with in Scotland appear very cordial in our cause; but to what extent and in what particular way they will support it, I have not yet been able to ascertain. The Bath friends have decided on supporting our operations, and letters I have just received from Bristol and Dublin inform me that the same friendly disposition toward us is operating there. At Liverpool and Bradford too, Serampore is not forgotten; and I trust God will raise up friends elsewhere until support be fully provided. Perhaps it will be best, as they are so widely distant from one another, to have them at every place, to do all that is in their hearts for Serampore in their own way.

With Christian love to all with you who love us,

I remain
Yours very affy,
J. Marshman"