into dull brains, but were terrible realities
representing souls perishing for lack of knowledge. Cook's Voyages fell
into his hands and fed the growing impulse. He hung up in his shop a
large map, composed of several sheets pasted together, and gazed at it
when at his work, writing against each country whatever information he
had been able to collect as to the number of the inhabitants, their
religion, government, or habits, also as to the climate and natural
history.

After he had for some time thus dwelt on the great longing of his heart,
he ventured on speaking it forth at a meeting of ministers at
Northampton, when there was a request that some topic might be named for
discussion. Carey then modestly rose and proposed "the duty of
Christians to attempt the spread of the Gospel among the heathen." The
words were like a shock. The senior, who acted as president, sprang up
in displeasure, and shouted out, "Young man, sit down! When God pleases
to convert the heathen, He will do it without your aid or mine." And
another, namely Mr. Fuller, who afterwards became the sheet anchor of the
Missions, describes himself as having thought of the words of the noble
at Jezreel, "If the Lord should make windows in heaven, might such a
thing be?"

Silenced by his brethren, Carey persevered, and proceeded to write what
he had not been allowed to speak. A Birmingham tradesman of the name of
Pott, an opulent man, was induced by his earnestness to begin a
subscription for the publication of Carey's pamphlet, which showed
wonderful acquaintance with the state of the countries it mentioned, and
manifested talent of a remarkable order. In truth, Carey had been
endowed with that peculiar missionary gift, facility for languages. A
friend gave him a large folio in Dutch, and was amazed by his returning
shortly after with a translation into English of one of the sermons which
the book contained.

He was becoming more known, and an invitation from a congregation at
Leicester, in 1789, placed him in somewhat more comfortable
circumstances, and brought him into contact with persons better able to
enter into his views; but it was three years more before he could either
publish his pamphlet or take the very first steps towards the
establishment of a Society for Promoting the Conversion of the Heathen.

The first endeavour to collect a subscription resulted in 13_l._ 2_s._
6_d._ This was at Kettering, and at the same time Carey offer