In a soggy corner of a little cemetery lies the remains of a man who was a history maker but little is known about him even in Christian circles - William Carey.
I visited his grave with my good friend Leo who lives in the town where Carey is buried.
I know a little about Carey so I will attempt to give a few details which will hopefully be accurate.
Carey trained as a cobbler in England but being an intelligent inquisitive sort of chap taught himself several languages including Hebrew and Latin. He was also very interested in natural science especially botany and because of his level of education which was mostly self-directed, was offered the job of a school teacher. He also became a Baptist pastor.
He wrote a book in 1792 explaining why Christians should be involved in mission because apart from a few groups in Europe, the Protestant church was not that mission oriented. The work " An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians to use means for the Conversion of the Heathen" was not well received. One poor chap is recorded as saying "When God pleases to convert the heathen he'll do it without consulting you or me."
Anyway Carey and his family left for India in 1793 and eventually after a stint of managing an indigo factory, ended up in the Danish colony of Serampore across the river from Kolkata. The Carey's joined the Wards, Marshmanns and John Fountain who had also arrived from England.
Carey busied himself with many jobs including translating the Bible into 44 languages, lobbying for the abolition of sati which was the practise of burning widows on the funeral pyres of their husbands. Semaphore College was started to train clergy and provide arts and science education.
It was no Sunday School picnic in India in the early 1800s when Carey and his family arrived. Carey buried two wives, was outlived by the third and of his seven children three died. There was also opposition from both the local people and the English who were involved in trade. Then there were diseases like malaria that took their toll. Oh and man-eating tigers apparently lurked close by.
Carey's catch phrase was "Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God." When one studies the numerous achievements of the man which I have barely touched on here, one can certainly see this theme running through his life.
Carey described himself as a "plodder". To be sure that plodder achieved far more in his life than most of us can dream of. His example also was the catalyst for the modern mission movement.
I visited his grave with my good friend Leo who lives in the town where Carey is buried.
I know a little about Carey so I will attempt to give a few details which will hopefully be accurate.
Carey trained as a cobbler in England but being an intelligent inquisitive sort of chap taught himself several languages including Hebrew and Latin. He was also very interested in natural science especially botany and because of his level of education which was mostly self-directed, was offered the job of a school teacher. He also became a Baptist pastor.
He wrote a book in 1792 explaining why Christians should be involved in mission because apart from a few groups in Europe, the Protestant church was not that mission oriented. The work " An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians to use means for the Conversion of the Heathen" was not well received. One poor chap is recorded as saying "When God pleases to convert the heathen he'll do it without consulting you or me."
Anyway Carey and his family left for India in 1793 and eventually after a stint of managing an indigo factory, ended up in the Danish colony of Serampore across the river from Kolkata. The Carey's joined the Wards, Marshmanns and John Fountain who had also arrived from England.
Carey busied himself with many jobs including translating the Bible into 44 languages, lobbying for the abolition of sati which was the practise of burning widows on the funeral pyres of their husbands. Semaphore College was started to train clergy and provide arts and science education.
It was no Sunday School picnic in India in the early 1800s when Carey and his family arrived. Carey buried two wives, was outlived by the third and of his seven children three died. There was also opposition from both the local people and the English who were involved in trade. Then there were diseases like malaria that took their toll. Oh and man-eating tigers apparently lurked close by.
Carey's catch phrase was "Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God." When one studies the numerous achievements of the man which I have barely touched on here, one can certainly see this theme running through his life.
Carey described himself as a "plodder". To be sure that plodder achieved far more in his life than most of us can dream of. His example also was the catalyst for the modern mission movement.
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