Here, perhaps, the good man’s most trying labours began.  Karpik inherited the prejudices of his nation:  he had a high opinion of himself, and despised all others; and when told that God the Creator of the world desired to make him happy, received the information as a matter of course, replying to his teacher with a comfortable self-complacency, “That is right, for I am a good karaler!” The filthiness of his skin had superinduced a cutaneous disorder, which, when the care and attention of Haven had got removed, he expressed high delight, but he soon became dissatisfied with the clean plain clothing in which he was dressed; boys of any rank at that time being absurdly decorated with ruffles and lace, and such like trumpery; and as if human folly had wished to caricature its own ridiculous extravagance, some of the children were even introduced into company with cocked hats and swords.

Poor Karpik, it seems, caught the infection, and conceived a violent passion for a hat and coat bedizzened with embroidery; and it is amusing to remark his wayward ingenuity, when insisting upon being gratified.  On one occasion Jans had remonstrated with him upon the uselessness of finery, and exhorted him to apply himself to useful learning; and above all, to seek to know the Lord who dwells in heaven—­“Poor clothes,” retorted he instantly, “will not teach me that! my countrymen, who have poor clothes, die and know nothing of God.  The king has fine clothes, and knows God as well as you, and why should not I? give me fine clothes, I can still know God and love him!” Haven told him he had no money to buy him fine clothes—­“Then go to the king,” said Karpik, “and get money from him.”  “Well,” replied the missionary, “we will go; but if the king asks, what has Karpik learned? can he read, or write, or is he acquainted with the God in heaven? what shall I say?  If I am forced to answer, He has learned nothing; the king will say, Take him on board the man of war, let him serve my officers and clean their shoes for seven years, till he has learned something.—­You know how these boys are treated.”  Karpik perceived the force of this simple reasoning, fell on the neck of his instructor, and promised all obedience in future.  It was not, however, till some time after, that eternal things began to make a serious impression on his mind.

At length he grew thoughtful, and under the powerful conviction of his wretched state as a sinner, would often exclaim, “Woe is me!  I am good for nothing, I am a miserable creature!” Under these uneasy sensations he at first felt exasperated, and he wished he had never heard of a God or of a Bible; but as the truth beamed in upon his soul, he became calm and peaceful, and manifested a strong desire to be further instructed.  He was in this interesting state of mind, when Haven, being called away, committed him to the charge of Mr Drachart, who was then residing at the Brethren’s settlement in Yorkshire, under whose tutilage he made rapid improvement in knowledge; and evidenced, by the change of his disposition, and his mildness of manner, and simplicity of conduct, that the gospel had taken powerful hold upon his heart; and this he evidenced still more clearly, when early called to grapple with the last enemy.