CHAPTER III

Summary

On the first Sunday in 1802, Petumber Sing, the first convert of the kayust, or writer caste, which ranks immediately after that of the brahmins, was baptized at Serampore. He was nearly sixty years of age, of an active and inquisitive mind, and great simplicity of character. He had diligently studied the religious dogmas of Hindooism, and visited every shrine within his reach to discover a system of belief which he could receive with confidence. The result of his inquiries was a feeling of dissatisfaction with the national creed, and he quietly relinquished the worship of idols. In this state of mind, one of the tracts distributed by Mr Ward in his recent journey, fell into his hands, and he hastened to Serampore, a distance of thirty miles, to learn more of this new way. He soon became convinced of the truth of Christianity, and threw up his caste, and joined the church by baptism. A month after, two other kayusts, and a Koolin brahmin, of the highest and proudest grade of brahminhood, came to Serampore and voluntarily relinquished their caste. It was in reference to these circumstances that Mr Carey wrote to Mr Fuller,—“Both Europeans and natives laughed at what they thought our enthusiastic idea of breaking the bond of the Hindoo caste, by preaching the Gospel. When Krishnu and Goluk rejected their caste, many wondered at it, but said, what great thing is it that a carpenter and a distiller should reject their caste.[…]”