Oakingham, Datehet, and Windsor, by Rev. John Smith. Sunday-School Children ..... 3 0 0 ...... 2010 5 0 10 Plymouth & Dock, Subscriptions and Collections, by Mr. Dyer 31 14 Martham, Baptist Church, by Rev. W. Davey Burton-street Chapel, Female Friends, by Mrs. Abberley. West Riding (York) Auxiliary, by M. Thackrey, Esq. Bramley.. 1 1 0 2 0 2 · 3 Bridge House ......... Spring Head............... Westbury Leigh, Collection and Subscriptions, by Rev. W. Winterbotham East Lothian Society for propagating the Gospel, by Mr. Hunter Little Wild-street, Sunday School Children, by Rev.J.Hargreaves E. T. Dicey, Esq. C. H. Mackinnon, Esq. by Mr. James Cort. TRANSLATIONS. Bristol and Bath, Auxiliary Society, by Mr. John Daniell ........ 51 15 3 SCHOOLS. Bristol and Bath, Auxiliary Society, by Mr. John Daniell... by Ditto ........ 31 14 10 7 10 FEMALE EDUCATION. Two Years' Subscription for the Broadmead Female School, Baptist Magazine. OCTOBER, 1823. MEMOIR OF THE LATE REV. W. WARD, Extracted from a larger Account contained in the Appendix to Mr. Ivimey's Funeral Sermon for him. as his exertions in behalf of the heathen have raised him in the esteem of the public. They witnessed the first appearance of that missionary spirit which induced him, as soon as an opportunity offered, to relinquish every other engagement and endearing connexion for this sacred cause. His most delightful employment was to preach in hamlets whereever he could collect a congregation; and by hints of admonition, and the dispersion of short tracts, to lead the most careless, as well as inquiring souls, to a serious attention to the best things. Though accustomed to situations above the lower walks of life, he most cheerfully, after the example of his Divine Master, associated with 'publicans and sinners,' that he might gain the more. The conflict of nature, when he left the family and his numerous friends without the prospect of ever seeing them again, must have been great to his feeling mind; but he wisely avoided the pang of separation, by finally absenting himself before any one was aware of his immediate intention. To such The writer of the Memoirs of the Rev. John Fawcett, D. D. speaks thus respectfully of him while he resided under the care of that venerable minister. "Aseparations as these, what could residence of about a year and a reconcile the mind but the hope half at Ewood Hall, endeared of extended usefulness, (which Mr. Ward as much to the family, in him has been realized,) and VOL. XV. 22 the prospect of meeting in a bet- strength, I should rejoice to acquaint you with the wrestlings and the victories, the hopes and the fears, the pleasures and the pangs, which I have lately experienced. But I must forbear. All I can now say is, that God hath done me much good by all, and made me very thankful for all he has done. "Alas! I shall see you no more. I cannot be at Olney on the 7th of May. The journey would be my death. But the "At the commencement of the year 1799," says Mr. Fuller, in his excellent Memoirs of Mr. Pearce, "the congregation at Cannon-Lord whom you serve will be with street was supplied for several months by Mr. Ward, who has since gone as a Missionary to India. Here that amiable young man became intimately acquainted with Mr. Pearce, and conceived a most affectionate esteem for him." you then, and for ever. My love to all the dear assembled saints, who will give you their benedictions at that solemn season. "Ever yours, &c. S. P." The following account of his being accepted by the Baptist Missionary Society, will be read with interest by those who have previously been acquainted Mr. Pearce had also formed a strong attachment to Mr. Ward. This will appear from the follow-not ing letter addressed to him just with it. before his departure for India :- "The first person whose qua"Most affectionately do I thank lifications appeared to be unexyou for your letter, so full of in- ceptionable was Mr. WILLIAM formation, and of friendship. To WARD, a member of the Baptist our common Friend, who is gone Church in George-street, Hull. into heaven, where he ever sit- Mr. Carey before his departure teth at the right hand of God for had some small acquaintance with us, I commend you. Whether I him, and being at that time a die or live, God will take care of printer, he addressed him to this you till he has ripened you for effect- If the Lord bless us, we the common salvation. Then shall want a person of your busishall I meet my dear brother ness to enable us to print the Ward again; and who can tell scriptures: I hope you will come how much more interesting our after us.' This hint seems to intercourse in heaven will be have remained on Mr. Ward's made by the scenes that most mind. After this he was called distress our poor spirits here? to the ministry by the church of Oh, had I none to live for, I had which he was a member; and rather die than live, that I may went to Ewood Hall for improvebe at once like Him whom I love! ment, under the tuition of Mr. But while he ensures me grace, Fawcett. His amiable deportwhy should I regret the delay of ment and acceptable talents proglory? No, I will wait his will, cured him the esteem of that rewho performeth all things for me. spectable family. He had inviMy dear brother, had Itations to settle in England; but tr his mind appears to have leaned towards India. The Committee, hearing of his inclination, applied to his tutor for a particular account of his character and qualifications. The answer was perfectly satisfactory. They then invited him to a ministers' meeting at Kettering, to be held in Oct. 1798, where he engaged as one of the preachers. After conversation on the subject, it was agreed that he should go out in the following spring. "On his return to Ewood Hall, he addressed a letter to the Secretary, in which he says, My mind is calm. My sweetest hours are those of retired prayer. The life of Brainerd has done me good. I would wish to make no reserve in favour of ease, or of the flesh, in dedicating my whole self to God. The Lord keep me humble, gazing on his own lovely image; and make it my meat and drink to do his will." "I have received no new revelation on the subject: I did not expect any. Our Redeemer hath said, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature: and lo, I am with you always to the end of the world. This command I consider as still binding, since the promise of Christ's presence reaches to the utmost corner of the earth, and to the utmost boundaries of time. -While I was at Ewood Hall I received an invitation to carry the gospel and a printing-press to India, where brother Carey and others have erected the stan dard of the cross. I prayed to God, and advised with my friends. In complying with this invitation I gave up all other prospects, and devoted myself to that of attempting to bless a nation of heathens. Since that time my peace and joy in God have more and more abounded. Duty and pleasure have in my employment gone hand in hand. Sometimes I have been enabled to say, He was solemnly designated with Mr. Brunsdon to the work of a Missionary in India, at Olney, 'No joy can be compar'd to this, May 7, 1799. "The work of To serve and please the Lord.' the day was accompanied with In his strength therefore I would fasting and prayer, and the op-go forth, borne up by your prayportunity was very interesting and affecting. Brother Hogg* began by reading some suitable portions of scripture, and then prayed. Brother Fuller proposed some questions to the Missionaries respecting the motives of their undertaking, and the religious sentiments they meant to propagate. The answer of brother Ward was in substance the answer of both, and was to this effect. *The Rev.Mr.Hogg, who now resides at Kimbolton, is the author of two excellent works, viz. "Personal Religion briefly explained, and earnestly recommended;" and "Scriptural Supports for the timorous Christian in the Prospect of Death." ers, hoping that two or three stones at least may be laid of the foundation of Christ's kingdom in India, nothing doubting but that the fair fabric will rise from age to age, till time shall be no more. -The being and attributes of God, the total depravity of man, free and full salvation by the grace of God through a mediator, the Deity of Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration, and the final salvation of believers, are doctrines which I believe, and consider as inclusive of all others. It is to the doctrine of the cross that I look for success in the conversion of the heathen.' "After the Missionaries had each given their answer, they were solemnly set apart to the work by prayer and imposition of hands, in the former of which brother Fuller engaged, and in the latter most of the brethren in the ministry who were present. treaties to join them; and thus the seat of the Mission was removed to Serampore. Here the Missionaries knew they would receive protection and accominodation from the Danish government, whilst the great ends of the Mission, particularly the printing of the scriptures, were likely to be answered more at Serampore than they would have been at Mudnabatty. "After this, brother Sutcliff delivered an exhortation to the Missionaries, founded on Ephes. iii. 8. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the gentiles the unsearch-accompanied by Khristna-Pal, able riches of Christ." A passage having been previously provided in the Criterion, an American ship, Capt. Wickes, about to sail from London, they left the river May 24, 1799. In August, 1801, Mr. Ward, the first converted Hindoo, who had begun to converse with his idolatrous neighbours respecting the gospel, made a Missionary tour to certain parts of the country from whence persons had come for religious instruction, preaching and distributing papers as they proceeded; and some of the women went to visit their female relations up the country, where they also conversed about the gospel. Mr. Ward, in his excursion, was detained by a police-officer, on much the same grounds as have been since alleged, that the Company had gi ven no order for the natives to lose cast. Mr. Ward assured him that the papers were entirely re They landed safely at Calcutta, October 11, but were under the necessity of proceeding to Serampore, a Danish settlement. His journal thus describes it:"Oct. 14.-Yesterday we arrived at Serampore, a Danish town fifteen miles above Calcutta. Thus have we finished this memorable voyage; memorable not for the storms we have weathered, or the hardships we have borne, for we have seen nothing worthy of the name; but because goodness and mercy have continually fol-ligious; and on his offering to lowed us. Surely the Lord is never wanting to those who commit their way to him!" From Serampore they wrote to Mr. Carey, and in a few days after, Feb. 14, 1800, Mr. Ward and Mr. Fountain went to visit him at Mudnabatty, and found that all the interest he could make was not sufficient to induce the Supreme Government at Bengal to suffer the newly-arrived Missionaries to settle in the British territories. Mr. Carey at length resolved, notwithstanding it would prove a loss to the Society of £500, to listen to Mr. Ward's en sign them with his own name, the was Mr. Ward entered upon his useful labours at Serampore with |