How Comfortable to Lean on the Beloved: Henry Martyn Arrives in India
In April 1806, missionary Henry Martyn arrived in India after a trying nine month sea voyage. First in India, then in Persia, Martyn produced painstaking translations of scripture and continued a courageous preaching ministry. Plagued by poor health, his mission lasted only six years. He died in Turkey at the age of 31. His influence and memory, however, amplified the missionary zeal that William Carey had fired in Great Britain decades earlier, inspiring many more missionaries to go.
The following entries from Martyn’s journals chronicle his first arrival in Calcutta. They show us a missionary who was conscious of his own weakness and mortality, yet devoted to spreading the gospel of Christ, no matter the cost.
April 17
Things wear a very gloomy aspect amongst us; scarcely any are at all concerned about their souls. My own soul too is in a poor state, continually prone to impatience at the length of the voyage, and inordinately anxious for the appearance of land.
Yet, in prayer, God mercifully revives and directs me. My stated prayer in the middle of the day over a chapter of Isaiah, for the setting up of Christ’s kingdom among the heathen, is very often cold and formal; yet I will, through grace, never to the end of my days give over praying for this blessed event.
At night my soul felt miserably oppressed with a sense of my barrenness and deadness. Oh, I am weary of serving God in this manner. Oh, may the Holy Spirit put life and ardor into my soul!
April 19
After a sleepless night, rose early, and saw the island of Ceylon [Sri Lanka], bearing west three or four leagues. It presented a long range of hills running north and south, broken in a picturesque manner, but not lofty, and the low land between the hills and the sea was covered with trees. After being ten weeks at sea, it was very agreeable to see the never-varying horizon interrupted by dark land. So long had we been used to the clear breezes of the ocean, that we immediately detected the effluvia of rank vegetation. The smell from the land was exceedingly fragrant, and I felt my senses quite soothed by it. I sat on the deck following a long train of pleasing thoughts about the blissful period when the native Cingalese [Sinhalese] should build temples to Jesus in their cinnamon groves.
The day was afterwards excessively hot while we lay becalmed. I was at first giving way to anxiety lest I should not be able to bear it long, especially as the distressing sensation of shortness of breath still continues; but I was soon composed by considering that, come what will, it shall be best for me; if I die, I die to be happy – if I live, I shall live to glorify God. Sweet necessity!
All must come, and last, and end,
As shall please my heavenly friend
In the evening, a breeze springing up carried us out of sight of land.
The man in whom I observed some signs of grace yesterday, died suddenly this morning.
April 21
On coming on deck today, my eyes were gratified with a sight of India. We were just opposite Tranquebar [Tharangambadi], about eight or ten miles distant and, in the course of the day, passed Cuddalore, Pondicherry, etc. I was full of thought most of the day about India, and my future residence in those plains which I saw.
Feeling myself very unwell, I was reminded of my short continuance in this world. This thought is precious, and serves to check the carnal eagerness with which I am apt to wish for a stay on earth to accomplish my objects.
April 23
Breakfasted with Mr. V. at Vepery, and went with him afterwards to Dr. K., with whom I spent the remainder of the day. I found him a most affectionate, and in most respects, a serious man. He gave me a vast deal of information about all the chaplains and missionaries in the country, which he promised to put in writing for me. Showed me his schools and institution of 300 caste people employed in printing, engraving, etc.
Considering the little retirement I had this day, my soul was tolerably spiritual and comfortable. Early in the morning I found the solemn presence of God communicated to me while meditating on my future work and the probable shortness of life. How comfortable to lean on the arm of the Beloved, and to be indifferent about life or death!
Dr. K. communicated several particulars about Swartz and Gericke, with whom he was well acquainted.
Felt excessively delighted with accounts of a very late date from Bengal, describing the labors of the missionaries, and was rather agitated at the confusion of interesting thoughts that crowded upon me. But, I reasoned, why thus? God may never honor you with a missionary commission; you must expect to leave the field, and bid adieu to the world and all its concerns.
Dismissed my old servant, Narayen, today, and took another, Samees, because he could speak Hindustani. Had a good deal of conversation with a Rajput about religion, and told him of the gospel.
*Henry Martyn’s journals have been lightly edited and modernized.