Carey's Journal

 

 

William Carey is a world-renowned missionary, subject of perhaps a hundred books; he is deservedly considered a hero and pioneer, the “father of modern mission”. But perhaps he is so well admired and so well described that he has become slightly unapproachable, untouchable – a hallowed hero whom no-one could ever live up to.

 

Even our greatest heroes and greatest predecessors started somewhere, though. They too had their moments of doubt, depression, loneliness, and despair. Such was the experience Carey. He had offered himself for service and set out on a ship to India to undertake what he described as ‘his great work’. It was then that reality hit.

 

Writing in his journal – which he would later sent back to BMS in England – he describes his experiences during his early years as a missionary. Here is Carey in his own words – his journal from June 1793 to 1795.

 
Carey was overjoyed to be sailing for India – but by the second day of his journey, his troubles began:

 

June 1793

 

“Sick, as was all my family and incapable of much reflection.”

 

This was merely the beginning. Carey’s faith was strongly tested as he constantly struggled with what he described as ‘barrenness of soul’.  He felt far away from God and as if he was of no use. But his barrenness was also mixed with hope that the mission would eventually bear fruit.

 

Throughout those first years, loneliness plagued him. His companion, John Thomas, had very different ideas about mission to him. Carey poured out his heart to his journal:

 

January 1794

“I [am] much dejected… I am in a strange land, alone, no Christian friend, a large family – and nothing to supply their wants.”

 

Carey frequently pleaded with God in prayer that he might serve him better:

 

January 1794

“I find the ardour of my mind after divine things less, and my soul too much swallowed up with the things of the present world – Oh! That I could live entirely to and for God.”

 

And how many mission workers struggle with learning a foreign language? Carey too came up against this barrier:

 

March 1794

“I feel a burning desire that all the world may know this God, and serve him. O how long will it be ere I shall know enough of the language of the country to preach Christ crucified to the natives. I bless God I make some progress…”

 

And Carey’s ‘great work’ in India did begin to take root as seeds started to be sown:

 

May 1795

“For the last three Sabbaths my soul has been much comforted in seeing so large a congregation… composed of from two to six hundred people, of all descriptions…”

 

A month later he reported on the translation work he had started:

 

June 1795

“The translation also goes on. Genesis is finished, and Exodus to the 23rd chapter. I have also, for the purpose of exercising myself in the language, begun translating the gospel by John.”

 

By the end of his life, Carey would have translated the entire Bible into six different languages also completed 29 partial translations.

 

His journal entry for 19 April 1794 sums up much of his life-long struggle:

 

“When I first left England, my hope of the conversion of the heathen was very strong; but among so many obstacles it would utterly die away, unless upheld by God…

 

Well, I have God, and his word is sure; … If I were deserted by all, and persecuted by all; yet, my hope, fixed on that sure word, will rise superior to all obstructions, and triumph over all trials. God’s cause will triumph, and I shall come out of all trials as gold purified in the fire.”

 

Carey’s times of testing continued throughout his life – and it was seven years before he saw his first convert. But his achievements for God, as we know, were remarkable.

 

William Carey – a superhuman missionary? By no means. But we can without hesitation name Carey a hero of the faith – someone who struggled with God and found him faithful.