Holding the Ropes
He turned to the mission board members for confirmation.
“We saw,” said Andrew Fuller, “there was a gold mine in India, but it was as deep as the centre of the earth. Who will venture to explore it?”
“I will venture to go down,” said Carey, “but remember that you (addressing Fuller, Sutcliff, and Ryland) must hold the ropes.”
“We solemnly promised him to do so,” Andrew responded, “nor while we live shall we desert him.”
This great team of anointed men of God did not desert Carey throughout their ministry together. The date of Carey’s missionary commitment was January 10, 1793.
Miracles and Obstacles
Carey was resolved to go, but much needed to be done. The team had to set sail in April to complete the five-month journey before the monsoon winds hit.
Dr. Thomas’s wife and daughter were excited, but William faced going alone. Dolly refused to consider going “to the ends of the earth.” She was pregnant with their sixth child, and they would have four children with them, one a newborn. All of William’s pleading was to no avail, until Dolly agreed to allow their oldest son, eight-year-old Felix, to go with him.
The challenges continued. Carey and Fuller travelled throughout England raising funds. Small congregations contributed what they could, but not a single Baptist church in London would support them. Church leaders believed it would fail and were advised by Dr. Samuel Stennett to “stand aloof and not commit themselves.”
Despite obstacles, God’s hand directed their course. While travelling, Carey met a young printer, William Ward. Both believed Ward would someday join the venture and help print Indian-language Bibles. Carey saw this meeting as God’s blessing.
Three Were Saying No
To Carey, it seemed everyone wanted to stop him: first Dolly, then the churches, and now the powerful British East India Company.
For over one hundred years, the Company held a royal charter controlling India–England trade. Fearing that gospel teaching would threaten their profits, they persuaded Parliament to ban British missionaries without permission. No persuasion would gain Carey and Thomas entrance into India.
As a result, April 1793 passed, and the ship Oxford sailed with only Mrs. Thomas and her daughter. Carey, Felix, and Thomas stayed behind, searching for another way.
While praying for direction, Carey uncovered that Thomas was in heavy debt, owing several hundred pounds. Thomas admitted his weakness in finances and promised to fix it, but this flaw would continue to trouble the ministry.
To be continued…
Tale Tuesday 127
Date: 29th April, 2025
Title: : WILLIAM CAREY (Part 7)
Source: God’s generals- The Missionaries
Author: Roberts Liardon
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