HENRY MARTYN (1781-1812) AND THE BAPTISTS IN INDIA

Abstract

This article examines the relationship of Henry Martyn (1781-1812), an evangelical chaplain of the East India Company, with the Baptists in Serampore, India. From Martyn’s journal, one of the great spiritual autobiographies, and from other evidence, this study argues that the Anglican Martyn had a much stronger relationship with the Baptist missionaries than has been supposed. Contact with these Baptists profoundly deepened his own experience and helped to enccourage fellow-evangelicals towards an ecumenical vision for mission. The paper was delivered at Spurgeon’s College to mark 200 years since Martyn’s death.