tive; the very opportunities of preaching seemed to be withdrawn; and this doubtless disposed Groves to entertain the thought of a mission tour in India. Thither he set out in May, 1833. Contrary to his original intention, he never returned to Bagdad. Cronin and Parnell, with Groves’ sons, did not quit Bagdad for a considerable time after this. Newman had left for England with Kitto, partly to enlist additional missionaries, in September, 1832. But his brief, enthusiastic career among the Brethren was nearly over. He passed to Arianism, and then to Deism. Of his appreciation of the leader of the mission he has left the record in a single epithet—“the noble-hearted Groves”.
“There are two or three objects in going,” Groves wrote, “which I cannot detail, and feel it impossible to write about. One, however, very especial one, is to become united more truly in heart with all the missionary band there, and shew that, notwithstanding all differences, we are one in Christ; sympathising in their sorrows, and rejoicing in their prosperity. … My purpose is to visit as many mission stations as I can before I return, should the Lord spare me.” In many respects no man was ever better fitted for the task; but he was hampered by his attachment to views that most of the missionaries were sure to think subversive of all necessary order. The result was that he had a mixed success. He landed at Bombay in July. There he found several friends, “all of them members of the Church of England,” who were deeply concerned at the difficulties that threatened to stop the remarkable work of Rhenius in Tinnevelly. At their “earnest solicitations,” Groves determined to visit Rhenius, and endeavour to encourage him to remain at his post.
By this mission Groves ultimately incurred a good deal of odium in India, and lost many friends. He
