“In October of 1774 he sneaked away from Paulerspury with one of his old friends to hear John Wesley preach. Willy had heard about John Wesley as long as he could remember but wasn’t sure just what it was that… — Sam Wellman Copy Share
“The energetic Thomas soon had William and Ram Ram Basu with him as he began itinerant preaching. They traveled by boat and by foot to the small villages in the riverine countryside. Watery rice paddies seemed to glimmer everywhere. Most villagers were Hindus, but a few were Muslims. William learned to distinguish which of the two religions an Indian claimed.… — Sam Wellman Copy Share
“William and Dolly had still not come to terms with infant baptism. So baby Ann remained unbaptized. It was clear William was leaning toward the beliefs of the Baptists. And why not? Although the Anglican Scott was a major influence, most of William’s spiritual mentors were Baptists, like Skinner and Hall. And as William’s own reputation as a churchman spread,… — Sam Wellman Copy Share
“To his amazement Doctor Thomas advanced into the midst of the market and began to preach. People gathered to listen. That was a very encouraging sign to William. The Indians were smiling too, white teeth dazzling in dark faces. Thomas preached for a very long time. After his long sermon some Indians approached the travelers to offer them curry and… — Sam Wellman Copy Share
“In Towcester he listened to Thomas Skinner. Skinner was a Dissenter called a Baptist. One of the ways Baptists differed from other denominations was… — Sam Wellman Copy Share Image
“That October twelve of the ministers finally committed their congregations to the society they defined in a resolution: Humbly desirous of making an effort for the propagation of the Gospel amongst the Heathen, according to the recommendations of Carey’s Enquiry, we unanimously resolve to act in Society together for this purpose; and, as in the divided state of Christendom each… — Sam Wellman Copy Share
“The ‘pamphlet’ urged by Thomas Potts he now titled An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens, in Which the Religious State of the Different Nations of the World, the Success of Former Undertakings, and the Practicability of Further Undertakings are Considered. The title surely told anyone the publication would not be… — Sam Wellman Copy Share
“And praise God, William recovered his health again, if not his hair. He began tutoring students in his shop in the evenings to make extra money. His shop soon had the air of a school, with books and maps and charts always lying about. His friend Scott joked that the shop was ‘Carey’s College’. At the Hackleton Meeting House he… — Sam Wellman Copy Share
“By the beginning of May he was so disturbed by Dolly’s constant unhappiness, often goaded into great outbursts of complaining by unthinking Kitty, he wrote: I have none of those helps and encouragements from my family that many have - they are rather enemies to the work that I have undertaken but though I find it extremely difficult to know… — Sam Wellman Copy Share
“As he learned more from his father in school he was led to reading every book he could find as long as it was not too religious. Of course he devoured books on botany and insects and birds. But he read other books as well. For his curiosity was compelling. In this way he discovered the power of books. As… — Sam Wellman Copy Share
“His conclusions were staggering to those complacent souls who considered themselves safely ensconced in a Christian world: The inhabitants of the world, according to this calculation, amount to about 731 millions: 420 millions of whom are still in pagan darkness; 130 millions the followers of Mahomet; 100 millions Catholics; 44 millions Protestants; 30 millions of the Greek and Armenian (Orthodox… — Sam Wellman Copy Share
“So Newton introduced the two travelers to William Wilberforce., About the same age as William, Wilberforce was said to be a force in the House of Commons, constantly haranguing evils of slavery. He was a thoroughly good man who also thought it was high time England stopped persecuting Catholics. Wilberforce was part of a London circle of evangelical intellectuals called… — Sam Wellman Copy Share
“If you really try to know the Hindus you will observe that all castes have several very formal ceremonies. Three are most important. Twelve days after birth the baby is placed in a swinging cot above twelve candles and the priest announces his name. The second ceremony is marriage, which has usually been arranged by the parents. However if a… — Sam Wellman Copy Share
