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William Carey: Pioneer Bible Translator for Indian Languages
William Carey (1761-1834) was a British Baptist missionary, Bible translator, and social reformer who spent 41 years in
India. He is often referred to as the "Father of Modern Missions."
Born on August 17, 1761, in Paulerspury, Northamptonshire, England, Carey was the eldest son of Edmund and Elizabeth
Carey. His father was a weaver and a churchwarden.
Carey's early education was limited, but he showed a keen interest in learning. At 14, he began working as an apprentice
shoemaker. During this time, he experienced a spiritual awakening and became a devout Christian.
In 1785, Carey heard a sermon by John Ryland, a Baptist minister, which sparked his interest in foreign missions. He
began reading about the lives of missionaries and studying languages, including Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.
Carey's passion for missions grew, and he started sharing his vision with others. In 1792, he published his influential
booklet, "An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens."
In 1793, Carey and his family set sail for India, sponsored by the Baptist Missionary Society (BMS). They arrived in
Calcutta (now Kolkata) and soon moved to the Danish colony of Serampore, where they established a mission station.
Here are some of the languages into which he translated the Bible:
1. *Bengali* (1809): Carey completed the first Bengali translation of the Bible.
2. *Sanskrit* (1818): He translated the Bible into Sanskrit, which helped to spread Christian scripture among the
educated elite.
3. *Marathi* (1811): Carey worked on a Marathi translation of the Bible.
4. *Hindi* (1811): He also translated the Bible into Hindi.
5. *Oriya (Odia)* (1815): Carey's team, including his colleagues Joshua Marshman and William Ward, assisted him in
translating the Bible into Odia.
6. *Assamese* (1813): Carey worked on an Assamese translation of the Bible.
7. *Kannada* (1820): He also translated the Bible into Kannada.
8. *Tamil* (1818): Carey's team helped translate the Bible into Tamil.
9. *Telugu* (1818): He worked on a Telugu translation of the Bible.
10. *Malayalam* (1811): Carey's team assisted him in translating the Bible into Malayalam.
Carey's work in India included:
1. *Bible translation*: He translated the Bible into Bengali, Sanskrit, and other Indian languages.
2. *Preaching and evangelism*: Carey preached to Indians, sharing the Gospel and establishing churches.
3. *Education*: He founded schools, including the Serampore College, which became a hub for education and theological
training.
4. *Social reform*: Carey advocated for social justice, working to abolish practices like sati (widow burning) and
promoting women's education.
Carey faced numerous challenges, including:
William Carey's life was marked by significant personal losses, which tested his faith and resilience. Here are some of
the most notable ones:
1. *Mental health struggles of his wife, Dorothy*: Carey's wife, Dorothy, suffered from mental health issues, including
depression and anxiety. This was a significant challenge for Carey, as he had to balance his missionary work with caring
for his wife.
2. *Death of his son, Felix*: In 1812, Carey's son, Felix, died in a boat accident on the Hooghly River. Felix was just
20 years old and had been helping his father with the mission work. Carey was deeply grieved by his son's death.
3. *Illness and death of his second wife, Charlotte*: Carey married Charlotte Rumohr in 1808, after Dorothy's death.
However, Charlotte died of illness in 1821, leaving Carey a widower again.
4. *Health issues and personal struggles*: Carey himself faced significant health issues, including fever, rheumatism,
and eye problems. He also struggled with feelings of isolation, loneliness, and self-doubt, especially during the early
years of his mission work.
5. *Financial struggles*: The mission station faced financial difficulties, and Carey had to rely on support from the
BMS.
6. *Cultural and linguistic barriers*: Carey had to navigate complex cultural and linguistic differences to communicate
effectively with Indians.
Despite these personal losses and struggles, Carey persevered in his faith and mission work. He continued to trust in
God's sovereignty and providence, even in the midst of adversity. His example has inspired countless Christians to
remain faithful and committed to their calling, despite personal challenges and setbacks.
Despite these challenges, Carey persevered, and his work had a profound impact on India and the world:
1. *Establishing the Baptist Missionary Society*: Carey's work inspired the formation of the BMS, which became a model
for modern missionary societies.
2. *Advancing education and social reform*: Carey's efforts contributed to the growth of education and social reform in
India.
3. *Inspiring future missionaries*: Carey's example inspired generations of missionaries, including notable figures like
Adoniram Judson and Hudson Taylor.
William Carey's legacy extends far beyond his 41 years in India:
Carey's remarkable life and legacy serve as a testament to his unwavering commitment to sharing the Gospel and serving
humanity..
