CHAPTER IX.
a.d. 1833.
After completing his voyage down the western coast, which had occupied exactly a month, we find Mr. Groves journeying inland to visit all the stations connected with the Tinnevelly mission. We see him, under all circumstances, pursuing his daily study of the scriptures; and it was doubtless because he had the word of Christ dwelling in him richly, that he was able to admonish others, so as, in fact, to become a missionary to missionaries.
“Nov. 19th.—What a comforting thought to the saints who suffer in this dispensation is Phil. i, 29, to feel that it is a gift and favour. How slow we are to learn really to suffer, and to be abased with our dear Lord. (Phil. ii, 3—10) However, I think we are generally much more able to take up cheerfully any measure of bodily or mental trial than that which degrades us before the world. To see that our abasement is our glory, and our weakness our strength, requires extraordinary faith: whereever I go, I perceive the evil influence of contrary principles I am persuaded that not following our Lord, and going down among the people we wish to serve, destroys all our real power; by remaining above them, we have power, but it is earthly. O that the Lord would raise up some to show us the way!
“When the truth is impressed upon a person’s mind in India, it seems to seize it with a more powerful and tenacious grasp than generally in England; people are often left with God’s word alone, the professedly religious circle being very small,
