Father of Modern Missions
Introduction
William Carey (1761-1834) was a renowned British Christian missionary, a translator of the Bible, a social reformer, an educationalist, and a botanical conservationist. Because of his remarkable contributions to the fields of mission work and linguistics in India, he is often referred to as the “Father of Modern Missions.” Here’s a detailed account of his life and contributions:
Early Life
Born on August 17, 1761, in Paulerspury, a village in Northamptonshire, England, Carey came from a humble background. His father was a weaver, and Carey followed in his footsteps in his early years, learning and practicing the trade of shoemaking. However, he had an innate curiosity and was known to teach himself various subjects, including Latin.
Religious Convictions
At 18, Carey came into contact with Dissenters, a group that challenged the established Church of England. Intrigued by their teachings, he was baptized by John Ryland, a Baptist minister, in 1783, leading to his firm decision to dedicate his life to religious work.
Missionary Calling
After becoming a schoolmaster and a pastor in Moulton, Carey started to develop a keen interest in mission work. He was greatly influenced by Captain James Cook’s travel books and the “Great Commission,” a set of biblical instructions where Jesus Christ commands his disciples to spread his teachings worldwide.
In 1792, Carey published his pivotal work, “An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens.” This work was a groundbreaking call to evangelism that paved the way for a new wave of missions in the history of Christianity.
Travels and Life in India
In 1793 Modern Mission’s Father arrived with optimism that light shall overcome darkness. Carey did not come to India merely to start new churches or set up medical clinics for the poor. He was driven by a more comprehensive vision—a vision for discipling the nation. “Carey saw India not as a foreign country to be exploited, but as his heavenly Father’s land to be loved and served. William Carey’s ministry in India can be described as wholistic Ministry.
Despite the initial resistance from his contemporaries, Carey set sail for India in 1793 with his family and a few companions. He initially faced several adversities, including the death of his five-year-old son, lack of support from the British East India Company, and financial difficulties.
However, Carey’s mission got its footing in Serampore (near Kolkata) in 1800 when he joined the Danish Mission established there. He spent the rest of his life in Serampore, where he, along with his colleagues Joshua Marshman and William Ward, came to be known as the Serampore Trio.
A Candle in the Dark: The Story of William Carey
Contributions in India
Carey’s most noteworthy contributions in India lie in the areas of missions, translations, education, and social reform.
- Missions: Carey’s missionary work in Serampore led to the establishment of numerous churches and the conversion of many Indians to Christianity.
- Translations: Carey was a linguistic genius. He is known to have mastered several Indian languages, including Bengali, Sanskrit, and Marathi, among others. He translated the Bible into Bengali, Sanskrit, and several other languages and dialects. He also compiled dictionaries of Bengali and Sanskrit.
- Education: Carey’s commitment to education led to the establishment of the Serampore College in 1818, which was granted the status of a university by Denmark. It became a center for training indigenous ministers and providing a broad range of education, including humanities, science, and divinity.
- Social Reform: Carey played a pivotal role in campaigning against social evils such as Sati (the practice of burning widows alive on their husband’s funeral pyre). He worked alongside Hindu reformist Raja Ram Mohan Roy to bring about its abolition.
- Botanical Conservation: Carey’s interest in botany led to him establishing a garden in Serampore, where he cultivated plants from across India and other parts of the world.
Later Years and Legacy
William Carey died on June 9, 1834, in Serampore. His life was marked by significant achievements in evangelism, translations, social reforms, and education. His pioneering work in modern missions laid the foundation for future missionary activities, earning him the epithet, the “Father of Modern Missions.”
His influence continues to the present day, especially in India, where many institutions, including the Serampore College, continue his legacy of evangelism, education, and social reform. His translations, particularly his Bible translations, are also of immense historical and linguistic importance.
