WILLIAM CAREY - I CAN PLOD TO THE GLORY OF GOD: The Eighteenth Century (pt.8) - Church History 101

In the Eighteenth Century, God used William Carey to show a great example of perseverance. 

MEMORY VERSE. “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).

MEMORY QUOTE. “I am not afraid of failure; I am afraid of succeeding at things that do not matter” (William Carey). 

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William Carey - I can plod to the glory of God

William Carey (1761-1834)

In an era of spiritual revival and global exploration, Christ raised up William Carey, a humble cobbler transformed into the “Father of Modern Missions.” Through Carey’s unwavering perseverance, Bible translations, and missionary zeal, Christ advanced His kingdom, reaching the unreached. Let us explore Carey’s life and its theological significance, supported by historical evidence and insights from Reformed theologians, to understand how Christ’s glory prevailed.

A Life of Perseverance for the Gospel

Born on August 17, 1761, in Paulerspury, Northamptonshire, Carey grew up in a modest weaver’s family, facing poverty yet nurtured in learning by his parents, Edmund and Elizabeth (Smith, The Life of William Carey: Shoemaker and Missionary, 1885, p. 10). Everyone say, “Carey grew up in a modest family.” A self-taught scholar, he mastered Latin, Greek, and Hebrew as a teenager while apprenticing as a cobbler (Carey, Memoir of William Carey, D.D., 1836, p. 15). His adventurous youth was tempered by a skin condition, driving him indoors to read voraciously and debate theology (Smith, 1885, p. 18).

  In 1779, at eighteen, Carey’s conversion to Baptist beliefs through conversations with John Warr ignited his missionary calling (Carey, 1836, p. 22). Everyone say, “Carey’s faith changed his life.” Marrying Dorothy Plackett in 1783, Carey faced poverty and the loss of children, yet Dorothy supported his early ministry (Carey, 1836, p. 30). Everyone say, “Carey’s family faced many trials.” By 1785, as a Baptist preacher and schoolmaster, Carey’s vision for global missions grew, inspired by Captain Cook’s journals (Smith, 1885, p. 45). He declared, “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God” (An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians, 1792, p. 12).

  In 1792, Carey’s pamphlet, An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens, challenged church apathy, stating, “Multitudes sit at ease while the world perishes” (Carey, 1792, p. 8). Everyone say, “Carey wrote a famous mission book.” That year, he co-founded the Baptist Missionary Society with Andrew Fuller, overcoming opposition to launch modern missions (Murray, The Puritan Hope, 1971, p. 162). Everyone say, “Carey started a missionary society.” In 1793, Carey and his family sailed to India, enduring a perilous journey and East India Company hostility, settling in Serampore (Carey, 1836, p. 67). 

  In India, Carey faced poverty, the death of his son Peter in 1794, and Dorothy’s mental decline, yet he learned Bengali and began translating the Bible (Smith, 1885, p. 98). Everyone say, “Carey kept going despite tragedy.” In 1800, with Joshua Marshman and William Ward, Carey established the Serampore mission, building a printing press and school (Marshman, The Life and Times of Carey, Marshman, and Ward, 1859, p. 45). Everyone say, “Carey built a mission in Serampore.” His translations, including the Bengali New Testament in 1801, reached over 40 million people across 30 languages (Smith, 1885, p. 234). Everyone say, “Carey gave India the Bible.”

  After Dorothy’s death in 1808, Carey married Charlotte Rumohr, finding stability (Carey, 1836, p. 112). Everyone say, “Carey married again.” Facing East India Company bans, he gained Danish protection (Marshman, 1859, p. 67). Everyone say, “Carey faced powerful enemies.” A 1812 fire destroyed his press, but Carey rebuilt, stating, “In one night the labours of years were consumed, but we trust in God” (Carey, letter, 1812, as cited in Carter, The Journal and Selected Letters of William Carey, 2000, p. 45). Everyone say, “Carey rebuilt after the fire.” His advocacy against sati led to its 1829 ban (Smith, 1885, p. 189). Everyone say, “Carey helped stop widow burning.” In 1814, he co-founded Serampore College, training Indian pastors (Marshman, 1859, p. 123).

  Despite fevers and a leg injury, Carey worked tirelessly, declaring, “I am a plodder, but I go on” (Carey, letter, 1825, as cited in Carter, 2000, p. 67). Everyone say, “Carey never gave up.” His translations and mission inspired global movements (Murray, 1971, p. 164). Everyone say, “Carey inspired missionaries worldwide.” Carey died on June 9, 1834, in Serampore, humbly buried, saying, “My work is for eternity” (Carey, 1834, as cited in Carter, 2000, p. 89). His son Felix wrote, “My father lived for one purpose—to make Christ known” (Carey, 1836, p. 112). Everyone say, “Carey’s faith changed the world.” Carey’s obedience left a legacy of Bible translation and reform, as he affirmed, “God has done all, and I am nothing” (Carey, 1834, as cited in Carter, 2000, p. 92).

Theological Lessons from William Carey

Carey’s life teaches two profound lessons about perseverance, grounded in Reformed theology. First, William Carey taught us how to plod. The apostle Paul pressed toward the goal of God’s call, and Carey embodied this perseverance. He declared, “I am a plodder, but I go on” (Carey, letter, 1825, as cited in Carter, 2000, p. 67). Particular Baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon praised, “William Carey, that seraphic man, went to India with nothing but his Bible and his faith, and by his labours he turned thousands to Christ, proving that God’s work, done in God’s way, will never lack God’s supply” (The Treasury of David, Vol. 3, 1882, p. 245). Carey’s steadfastness challenges us to persist in God’s work despite obstacles.

  Second, William Carey taught us to study hard. Carey’s self-taught mastery of Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and six Indian languages enabled him to translate the Bible into Bengali, Sanskrit, Marathi, and others, with his team producing 43% of Bible translations into foreign languages at the time (Smith, 1885, p. 234). Andrew Fuller, a contemporary Particular Baptist, noted, “Carey’s perseverance in translating the Scriptures into so many languages is a testimony to the power of a single man’s devotion to God’s Word” (Fuller, as cited in Smith, 1885, p. 235). Carey’s diligence inspires us to study God’s Word diligently to take part in making disciples off all nations. He also teaches us that with hard work, you can learn great things that may even seem impossible at first. 

Conclusion: Christ’s Victory in the Eighteenth Century

In the eighteenth century, Jesus Christ built His church through William Carey, whose perseverance transformed global missions. From a cobbler to a missionary giant, Carey’s Enquiry, Baptist Missionary Society, and translations spread the gospel to millions, sparking a worldwide movement. As Jonathan Edwards declared, “Carey’s work in India was a turning point for missions, showing that the gospel could penetrate the darkest corners by the Spirit’s power” (A History of the Work of Redemption, 1989, p. 456). His legacy of faith, education, and reform testifies to Christ’s triumph.

Let us learn from Carey, plodding faithfully and studying diligently to advance Christ’s kingdom. May we trust that He continues to conquer the nations, building His church for His glory. Let us live boldly, knowing His kingdom advances, unstoppable, until it fills the earth.