enlarged, seemed to him a subject of real exultation, as affording more extended opportunities of casting around him the precious seed of Christian instruction.

So likewise, under the same views of duty, and in that spirit of obedience to the call of Divine Providence, through which he had resigned his kindred, friends and country;he now also submitted himself to the entire privation of his salary, and of the residence for himself and family at the Orphan establishment, in order that he might undertake, without any remuneration whatever, the charge of the Mission Church. This however the managers of the Orphan Institution would not permit, in union with their employ: and he in consequence left that office, as the Church would otherwise have been shut up, and the congregation dispersed*.

Had

*Although the acting Managers of the Orphan Establishment would not allow Mr. Brown to retain his appointment there, together with the charge of the Church; yet, in their correspondence with him on the subject, they declared themselves to be "impressed with a just sense "of the laudable motives which influenced him in forming "his engagements to officiate in the ministry of the Mission Church."-Extract of letter from the Management to Mr. Brown; 3d November 1787.

Had not the step he took, been finally crowned with more abundant success than he ever could anticipate, in the preservation and great increase of that important church and people, his conduct in giving up a handsome provision for its sake, might have been considered as little better than religious quixotism, by those who judge of motives only by events: but greatly would it redound to the honor of his faithful zeal and perseverance, could the facts be sufficiently dwelt on to develop all he did, and all he endured, through good report and evil report, for keeping open this Church.

His attendance on the duties of it, was alike gratuitous and indefatigable. And although it is true that his voluntary engagement was at first proposed to be but for a short period, yet it pleased God that the charge should continue in his trust for very nearly the remainder of his life; without his being once effectually relieved of that responsibility for which he had pledged himself, both to the venerable Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, and also to the congregation. Neither did he entirely desist from affectionate attention to this people of his choice, till the predominance of that illness which terminated his every labor in the vineyard.

Whatever

Whatever his other urgent engagements might be, he never would forego this with the Mission church, to which he had devoted himself. The chaplains of the Presidency frequently, with cordial approbation, rendered him their assistance; but the weight of responsibility rested solely with himself *.

It was chiefly in a remarkably steady attachment to the engagement with this church, that his ministerial zeal found the widest scope for affectionate and unremitting exertion. It would perhaps be considered not common, even in England, if for more than twenty years together a minister never quitted his charge but once; and then only for two successive Sundays: such, however, was the attention paid to his congregation by Mr. Brown. It is here only meant, that he never but once applied to Government for leave of absence, and formally committed his charge for a period to another minister. This occa

sion

* On his undertaking the duties of the Mission Church, the three chaplains at the Presidency and Garrison, the Rev. Messrs. Johnson, Blanshard, and Owen, gave him in writing their friendly testimony to the disinterested piety and zeal, which induced him to enter gratuitously on a very laborious ministry-deemed by them of most essential importance to the community.

E

sion was in 1799, when he proceeded up the river to escort back his family from a distant tour. This brief furlough was at the close of twelve years unremitting attendance on his ministry at Calcutta.

During the first six or seven years, he had diligently labored there among a very small and inconsiderable people; but his meekness and faith never left him to feel discouraged at the fewness of their number or unimportance of their rank. He thought of those with whom his Divine Master associated; he recollected the congregations to whom a Brainerd or an Elliot had ministered; and by their example was kept from harboring sentiments of indifference toward the flock which collected round him, the bulk of whom, with few exceptions, were of the order denominated in Bengal "low Europeans," native Portuguese, and descendants of European fathers and native mothers.

It was however an increasing congregation, both in number, and respectability of rank. From the first indeed his ministry there was honored by the regular attendance of a few gentlemen of the highest station in the service. Amongst whom were Mr. Charles Grant, then member of the board of trade; since, the able

and highly respected chairman of the court of directors: his brother-in-law, Mr. Wm. Chambers, prothonotary and master in chancery, brother of Sir Robt. Chambers, chief justice of Bengal; Mr. Udny, who has filled the chair of the Supreme Government; and also occasionally a few other persons of distinction, and their connexions, who loved the serious truths he taught. But until he was made generally known to all classes of the community, through his appointment to the Presidency church, (now the Cathedral of St. John) his hearers were almost wholly confined to the poor.

The two congregations became in great measure united by that of the Mission following him to the Presidency on Sunday mornings; while, in return as it were, many serious hearers, from among the higher orders of the Presidency or Government-church congregation, became frequent in their attendance at the Mission church on Sunday and week-day evenings.

Among these, as honoring Mr. Brown with marked deference and friendship, ought to be respectfully distinguished, Lord and Lady Teignmouth (then at the head of the govern ment,) and the members of their family.