Sam Wellman > Quotes

“Unsaid was her conviction that all this was in preparation for some future endeavor. But what?”
― Sam Wellman, Amy Carmichael: Selfless Servant of India

“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 joined discussions. Once a month now they discussed the churchman’s obligation to evangelize, not just within his parish but to the entire world. Arguments flew back and forth. William found himself drawn more and more to the idea that the ‘Great Commission’ did indeed require churchmen to spread Christ to the entire world. No longer could rigid Calvinism dismiss all efforts at missionary work in other countries as useless because God had already chosen his ‘elect’.”
― Sam Wellman, William Carey

“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. Except for the handful of wealthy Indians who wore a variety of silks and brocaded clothes the peasants of the two religious cultures dressed in simple cotton cloth but quite differently. The Hindus wore clothing that ‘draped’, the Muslims ‘tailored’. A”
― Sam Wellman, William Carey

“On October 11 Peter died. “Peter dead!” screamed Dolly. How much more could she suffer? William soon learned. It was not enough that there was no faithful Kitty there to comfort her in her grief - not friends of any kind in Mudnabati - but William himself was completely distracted by problems with the burial. For it seemed no one would help. “I can’t get the carpenters at the plant to make us a coffin,” William told Felix out of Dolly’s hearing. “It seems that not only do both Hindus and Muslims refuse to touch the dead in any way but they will not assist in any way.” Finally he had to coerce four Muslim workers into digging a grave south of the plant, far away from any known Muslim graves.”
― Sam Wellman, William Carey

“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 much as he loved his surroundings he now realized only books could now take him outside his surroundings. He did read the Bible but he read only the historical books of the Old Testament as adventure stories.”
― Sam Wellman, William Carey

“Hall is an older Baptist pastor who lives in Arnsby, near Leicester,” said Skinner. Hall had developed arguments from verses 13 and 14 of Isaiah 57: ‘he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain; And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.’ Hall dealt with stumblingblocks to faith in Christ. But he also criticized the extreme Calvinism that paralyzed many churchmen in an attitude that God had so predestined every happening that men had few choices of their own.”
― Sam Wellman, William Carey

“Dolly’s joy over the move was short-lived. She learned Charles Short had proposed to Kitty. And Kitty had accepted. They would be living both in Debhatta and in Calcutta. Dolly was dazed. “How did I not know?” she asked William and became more outspoken than ever. “How I detest India!” William”
― Sam Wellman, William Carey

“But prayer and the Bible bolstered him, and soon he would write: When I first left England my hope of the conversion was very strong, but amongst so many obstacles it would entirely die away, unless upheld by God - nothing to exercise it, but many things to obstruct it for now a year and 19 days, which is the space since I left my dear charge in Leicester; since then I have had hurrying up and down; a five month imprisonment with carnal men on board the ship, five more learning the language; my Moonshee (Ram Ram Basu) not understanding English sufficiently to interpret my preaching - my family my accusers, and hinderers, my colleague separated from me, long delays, and few opportunities for social worship...no woods to retire to...for fear of Tygers...well, I have God, and His Word is sure...[14] So his mind was calmed by his faith in God, yet seethed with doubt in himself and his family.”
― Sam Wellman, William Carey

“And what of this great map on the wall?” William explained how for each country he annotated information about population, politics, religion and other facts. Finally he was overcome with emotion as the reality struck him once again. “Don’t you see, Brother Fuller? Most of the world does not know Christ. Everywhere we look there are pagans! Pagans. Pagans. Pagans.”
― Sam Wellman, William Carey

“In Towcester he listened to Thomas Skinner. Skinner was a Dissenter called a Baptist. One of the ways Baptists differed from other denominations was that they did not believe infants should be baptized. They believed only a person who could make a mature judgment should be baptized. That ordinance about baptism was the source of their name. Thomas Skinner loaned Willy a book by Robert Hall called Help to Zion’s Travellers.”
― Sam Wellman, William Carey

“Charles Short explained that the new governor of the East India Company, Sir John Shore, might have had something to do with these new opportunities found by Dr. Thomas. “Of course,” said William, remembering. “I believe he was a member of the Clapham Sect in London with Charles Grant and William Wilberforce. These powerful gentlemen all were supposedly very receptive to converting the heathens.” “Pray then India stays at peace,” said Charles Short. “Because if there is any threat to English interests from the natives or from France the Crown will send a governor like Cornwallis again.” “A military man,” concluded William.”
― Sam Wellman, William Carey

“The women did not know how he visited Englishmen in Calcutta during the day, only to be treated with contempt. Even a prominent clergyman to whom he had an introduction written by John Newton had refused to see him. And on his return to Manicktullo the two women now openly berated him. In his diary he wrote: I am in a strange land, alone, no Christian friend, a large family - and nothing to supply their wants...I am dejected, not for my sake but my family’s...In the evening (I) poured out my soul to God; but still my burden continued. The next day (I) had a pleasant time in prayer to God in the morning but afterwards the abusive treatment I receive from her who should be a help to me quite overcame my spirits. I was vexed, grieved, and shocked. I am sorry for her who never was hearty in the undertaking, her health has been much impaired, and her fears are great, though five parts of six are groundless...Oh that I may have wisdom from above...[10]”
― Sam Wellman, William Carey

“But aside from Willy’s skill at learning another language which his father did not know enough to appreciate, his only distinction in schooling was mathematics. Numbers came easily to him. And it was not just simple mathematics but anything that was curious. Many nights in bed he pondered numbers.”
― Sam Wellman, William Carey

“William leaped to his feet. “Is nothing going to be done again, sir?” he shouted at Fuller. He faced the ministers. “You are like Moses’ scouts who came back to Kadesh to say, ‘We saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers...’” “But they lied,” protested one of the ministers. “Perhaps not. Perhaps they allowed their own minds, their own fears, their own doubts, to trick them.” Andrew Fuller seemed shaken. “I move to reopen for business.” “I second the motion,” said William. “All in favor, raise their hand,” said Fuller as he glared at the other ministers. A majority raised their hands!”
― Sam Wellman, William Carey

“By that time Willy’s skin was nearly its normal fair hue again. “There’s a shoemaker over in Piddington named Clarke Nichols,” he said. “He has such good business he needs a second apprentice.” “Shoemaker?” said Willy, with more interest than the trade deserved. He had been idle too long. The Northampton area was known for shoemaking. Everything was there for the trade: abundant hides from livestock in the lush pastures, friendly waterways for easy transportation, oaks for the tanning process, and lastly, tradition. The same King Charles that Cromwell had defeated in nearby hills had earlier pummeled the walls of Northampton for making shoes for Cromwell’s army. “I’ve been to see Clarke Nichols,” continued Willy’s father. “He seems a Godly man. The pastor there says he is good churchman. Nichols even has a small library that you might profit from, Willy.” “So”
― Sam Wellman, William Carey

“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 rice on large plantain leaves. “Come to our village,” they said earnestly. William”
― Sam Wellman, William Carey

“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 man becomes wealthy he may add wives of his own choice, and as many as he can afford! The last ceremony is for the death. The Hindus believe the soul, trapped in the skull, can only be released by sacred fire. So they burn the dead. They make sure the skull is burned up or is broken open. Three days later they scatter the ashes into a river...” “Why”
― Sam Wellman, William Carey

“In Olney, five miles southeast of Piddington, he heard Thomas Scott. Later, he talked to Scott. The Anglican seemed a perfect spiritual guide. Not only did he not hold to the hard Predestination teachings of Calvin but he too was gifted linguist. Willy was shocked to learn Scott had mastered Latin, Greek and Hebrew! So, with Scott’s help and books, of course Willy began learning Hebrew too. “Now I will learn the language of the Old Testament itself!” he marveled. In”
― Sam Wellman, William Carey

“He solicited others for a more recent history of the East India Company, that arm of the British Crown that really ruled India now. More aspects of going to India disturbed him. One helpful friend showed him a statute passed by Parliament: Be it further enacted that if any subject or subjects of His Majesty not being lawfully licensed or authorized shall at any time directly or indirectly go, sail or repair to, or be found in the East Indies...all and every such persons are hereby declared to be guilty of a high crime and misdemeanor, and being convicted thereof, shall be liable to fine or imprisonment or both as the Court shall think fit.[9]”
― Sam Wellman, William Carey

“The subject was not foreign missions anyway but the situation in India, which many Englishmen called ‘East India’ to distinguish from the American Indians. Many also used its Indian name: Bengal. Lord Cornwallis, one of the generals who frittered away America, was Governor of the East India Trade Company, the virtual ruler of India. He oppressed the Indians, formally banning any native Indian from holding public office. The powerful Indian maharajahs allowed such heavy-handed treatment because the English guaranteed them local power and prosperity. “There’s”
― Sam Wellman, William Carey

“Finally, William would wait no longer. He was baptized on October 5 in the Nene River at Northampton by John Ryland. Ryland and his father had become spiritual advisors to William too. “They too are Baptists,” noted William of the two who pastored the College Lane church in Northampton. William Carey was now 22, a journeyman shoemaker with an ashen, fever-sickened face and bald head. He had little energy for working.”
― Sam Wellman, William Carey

“For 1000 years after the Crucifixion the apostles and their bold followers had fervently spread the message of Christ. Then some kind of indolence had set in. Why had the Great Commission stopped? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if he, William Carey, could go to some tropical island like Tahiti and convert the heathen? “Oh, Tahiti!” he enthused to his students, regaling them with the facts that lured him there. “Four hundred square miles of lush, green paradise. Cold weather and hot weather are unknown. Breadfruit, bananas and coconuts hang everywhere for the eating. Bays and lagoons are choked with fat, lazy fish. And most important, lads, there are thousands of pagans! Pagans! Oh, they are most fastidious. They bathe three times a day. They are polite, yet as ignorant of the ten commandments as beautiful tropical birds...”
― Sam Wellman, William Carey

“How wrongly Willy had judged Mister Nichols. Among his numerous prayers now he prayed for Clarke Nichols. And when Mister Nichols announced he was going to marry Frances Howes in October of 1777 Willy prayed for her too. He had a second chance. He was going to change his life. The counterfeit shilling had proven once and for all he was a sinner. And he wanted to change like John Warr had changed, for his fellow apprentice had surely become more tolerant, more loving, before Willy’s very eyes. Willy”
― Sam Wellman, William Carey

“Andrew Fuller smiled at an opportunity. “Well, I believe we have in our midst a most knowledgeable man on geography...” He turned to look at William. “I believe, sir, the island you speak of is Ceylon,” replied William and lapsed into silence. Andrew Fuller laughed. “Come now, William, don’t hold out on us. Tell us all you know.” “If you wish, sir. Ceylon is a tropical island about half the size of England’s 50,000 square miles. It is true it is controlled by Holland.” William, quickly caught up in the wonders of Ceylon, went on to describe the terrain, the monsoon season, the size of the population and the languages spoken. After several minutes of detail his voice flamed with passion, “But in spite of Dutch control it is not a Christian country. There is no more than a small percent of Christians.” His voice carried indignation now, “The vast majority are Buddhists with a substantial number of Hindus.” At last he cried, “Millions of poor souls lost in heathen darkness! While we do nothing!” “But that’s not true, Brother Carey,” countered one of the others defensively. “We pray for the heathen. We’ve done so, fervently, since our resolution to do so in 1784.” And so the matter stood. The”
― Sam Wellman, William Carey

“Next morning at 10 o’clock William had a unique opportunity. For it was he who would deliver the sermon for the meeting. And to the discomfort of many there he preached on Isaiah 54. “‘Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes’!” he exhorted his fellow ministers. Once again he had delivered his message of obligation to convert the heathen. Finally he concluded, “Brothers, expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.” Young John Ryland looked shaken. “Brother Carey, I think you have proved our negligence in this cause of God.” Bringing John Ryland to the cause was a great step forward. William knew he already had one powerful ally in Andrew Fuller. But at the business meeting later, not only was no money allocated toward a missionary society but not one minister seconded William’s motion to form a society. William slumped in his chair, his mind reeling. “This”
― Sam Wellman, William Carey

“He had never been around such searching souls as he found in Piddington. They nurtured him, much as the women of nearby Bedford had nurtured the great John Bunyan in his days of doubt. Willy read all about that in Bunyan’s Grace Abounding. There seemed little argument in the meetings over the old question of whether good works or faith or both saved a soul. Most everyone believed faith alone was enough. The real issue these days was Calvinism. Calvin’s belief in predestination seemed always at the forefront of discussions. “If we are all predestined to salvation or damnation what good is it for a person to try to do anything about it?” asked one. “The”
― Sam Wellman, William Carey

“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 a pamphlet. It turned out to be a 87-page book. In the first section William asked the key question: Is the Great Commission still binding? And in this section he reviewed every objection he had ever heard against missionary work. Then he rebutted it. Examples of these were[3]: Objection: But how do we know that this command is still valid? Not even divine injunctions abide for ever. They have their periods and pass, like the Levitical law. Reply: Nay, divine injunctions abide till they have fulfilled their function. Who can think this commission exhausted, with the majority of mankind not yet acquainted with Christ’s name? Objection: But Christ’s command could scarcely have been absolute, even for the apostles, seeing that they never heard of vast parts of the globe - the South Seas for example -nor could they these be reached. Neither can we think it absolute today, with very large regions still unknown and unopened. Reply: As they (the apostles) were responsible for going according to their strength into all their accessible world, we are in duty bound to speed into our much enlarged world. Indeed, we ought to be keen to go everywhere for Christ, till all closed doors are opened. In”
― Sam Wellman, William Carey

“Far distances and language barriers never stopped traders, he argued. Who could deny that? So the missionary must not be stopped either. Hunger would rarely be an obstacle, insisted William. The missionary could farm, fish and hunt. But nevertheless the missionary must be resolved to face poverty, poor housing and unrelenting hard work. And yes, he may also face hatred, intimidation, imprisonment, torture and even death. His”
― Sam Wellman, William Carey

“One of the Indian boys says we must not pile any more wood,” said Kitty. “Why?” She looked at William angrily as if she expected he would lie to her no matter what. William was tired of trying to smooth things over. It was impossible in such a place. So he said simply, “Piles of wood on this barren ground attract cobras.” “Poisonous snakes,” muttered Kitty. “What else?” “I am going to pray every moment of every day For God to deliver me from this place,” muttered Dolly as she rose to put Jabez to bed. One”
― Sam Wellman, William Carey

“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 denomination, by exerting itself separately, seems likeliest to accomplish the great end, we name this the Particular Baptist Society for the Propagation of the Gospel amongst the Heathen.[7]”
― Sam Wellman, William Carey