Burmah. MR, CUTTER'S JOURNAL. (Continued from page 476, vol. xiv.) great rapidity, without saying a word. We then discharged a blunderbuss towards them, well loaded with powder, at which they slackened their pace, and altered their course, saying. "Do not fire at us; we only wish to caution you not to anchor here,"--and soon they were out of sight. There was not the slightest reason for them to have supposed we intended to anchor where we then were, as there was Protection from Robbers. Dec. 22. Sabbath. Had worship in Burman as usual, conducted by Ko Sanlone. Passed one village and two towns, one of which, Phakhan-ghna, contained about two hundred houses, where we gave no village near, and we were in the some tracts, and the disciples spent middle of the river, pursuing our Was some time in exorting. course with all possible speed. obliged to anchor at night, by the side of a large sand-bank, it being a long distance to any village. Notwithstanding the river is infested with robbers, particularly about this place, we were preserved in safety. "We laid ourselves down and slept; we awoke; for the Lord sustained us." Ruins of Pah-gan. It Dec. 25. Arrived at Pah-gan about noon, and went on shore to see the ruins of this ancient city, which now contains but about one hundred houses. The pagodas are almost innumerable, but mostly dropping to decay. There are three or 23. Passed Za-la, a city confour however, still kept in repair, one taining about three hundred houses, of which is by far, the most splendid where we gave about fifty tracts. structure of the kind I ever saw. took about half an hour to go through Some listened with good attention, its numerous alleys and rooms, which and I regretted I had not taken more tracts to supply the numerous ap-niches made for the purpose, both are filled with images neatly set in plicants. Passed two small villages, and anchored at Touk-Ryan, a vil- large and small. At each of the lage of twenty houses, standing at four entrances was a huge great some distance from the river, and image, standing erect, with the where no boats were anchored. We hands in different positions, before distributed a few tracts among them and the head-man sent us down a present of about fifty ears of green corn, and a pumpkin, and sent two armed men as a guard for the night. About midnight, two small boats full of men passed us at a distance, but we were not molested. 24. Passed six villages, and anchored a little after 9 o'clock, at a village of twenty houses, not far from Pah-gan. About 8 o'clock, a small boat, full of men were seen by the light of the moon, making their way towards us. They shortly hailed us, by asking who we were, and what we were there for. Ko Sanlone asked who they were, and as they made no reply, but kept moving towards us, he told them not to come near our boat; at which they began to make towards us with which some of the boatmen, who followed on after us, bowed down and mumbled over some petition. On rising from their knees, they appeared much ashamed and confused, as they saw we were looking on at a distance. The pagoda is made of brick and hewed stone, and the brick work neatly plastered over, inside and out: it is built strong, and looks as though it might stand for centuries. One of the walls which I measured was about eight feet thick. New encouragements. The people were willing to listen, and appeared very anxious to get tracts. Distributed among them abont sixty. When bro. Kincaid was along here, the people were afraid to receive tracts. Anchored before dark at Nyoung-oo, a place of three hundred houses. In one part of the town the people were afraid to take tracts, and at the other part many appeared to be seriously considering, and collected together, and requested that the tracts which they received from bro. Kincaid might be explained to them. They said they had read them with care, but did not fully understand their meaning. The disciples spent two or three hours with them, while the people paid the deepest attention. Trust the Lord has some chosen ones here. hundred tracts, most of which, I doubt not, will be read with attention and profit. Passed two more large places, Goungh-gwai and Taloke, where we were well received, and distributed upwards of one hundred tracts. 31. Since the above date we have passed a number of towns and villages, containing about fifteen hundred houses, but as our tracts were nearly gone, we distributed but about one hundred, giving to those who apparently wanted them the most. Reflections. In that part of the town, where the people were afraid to take the books, I had most of the catechism This morning, sent off two of the read to a large number, who listened men to Ava with a note, to inform with attention, and afterwards sev-bro. Kincaid that we were near the eral came up and asked for books. "Golden city." We hope to reach Dec. 26. Passed one large town there to-morrow. How little did I some distance back from the river, expect, at the commencement of this and three small villages, and was year, that at the close of it I should obliged to anchor at an early hour be in the situation I now am! How at Pah-koke-koo, a large place of mysterious are the ways of Provififteen hundred houses, where we dence! I who am one of the gave away one hundred and ten youngest, the most feeble, and the tracts, and preached Jesus Christ nost unworthy of the missionary unto them. Several listened with band, am destined to one of the most deep attention, and one or two fol- important stations of the missionary lowed us down to the boat, and the field! The last day of this year finds disciples spent much time in en- me near the capital of this great emdeavoring to instruct them in the pire-the close of another year may ways of truth and holiness. I pass-find me in eternity! How solemn ed a number of brick-makers at work, the thought! May the Lord enable and asked them for what purpose me, to fill up each day with usefulthey were making bricks. They ness, and whatever my hand findeth said, "To build a pagoda with." to do, to do it with all my might. And what use is to be made of the pagoda when it is finished? They hung down their heads, apparently much confused, and said "We then call it a god, and worship it." Will it possess life? "No." Why then worship it-what advantage will you derive from worshipping it? "It is Burman custom." I endeavored to explain to them the folly of such worship, and to point them to the true and eternal God. 28. Passed Myen-kyan, a town of two hundred houses, where were many who listened attentively to the truths of the gospel, and begged that they might hear more of these words. Distributed among them one Arrival at Ava. Jan. 1, 1834. About 10 o'clock, came in sight of the towering spire of the Golden palace. On every side were to be seen numerous splendid pagodas, of almost every size. Some were a beautiful white, and others gilded from top to bottom. About twelve o'clock, bro. and sister Kincaid made their appearance in a little boat. In a few minutes, we had the pleasure of welcoming them on board, and they the pleasure of realizing, that in a few hours they should have fellow-laborers (at least in name,) in the interesting field, where he had so prayerfully, boldly Missionary Register. Very truly yours, and successfully made an attack | the time is not far distant, when upon the empire of darkness, and has heralds of the cross, will be stationed had the happiness of seeing some of at these destitute places, and the the trophies of divine grace, publicly bread of life broken to the perishing espousing the cause of the blessed thousands. Redeemer. We fell upon our knees, and unitedly offered up our grateful our Divine acknowledgements to Protector and Preserver, for his kind watch-care over us, since we had been separated, and for the abundant manifestations of His goodness towards us. About sunset we landed, and entered through the gates into the "Golden city." Her walls are made of brick, immensely thick, and the houses of wood. The streets are not paved, and hundreds of Burman carts constantly passing and repassing, keep a cloud of dust in circulation, from morning till evening. This, together with the smoke, which rises in every direction, (as most of the Burmans cook in the street,) must render walking or living, on one of the public streets of Ava, almost intolerable; especially in the hot season, when the thermometer rises to 108 and 110 in the shade. Arrived at our house about dark. It is situated on one of the most public streets, and not a great distance from the palace. We felt thankful, that we were thus brought on our way in safety, and humbly trust God, in his infinite mercy will long permit us to stay here. Review of the Journey. Since we left Rangoon, we have O. T. CUTTER. To Rev. Dr. BOLLES. MR. KINCAID TO DR. BOLLES. Rev. and very dear Sir, From journals and letters which ; I think the time is not distant, when the question will be finally make vigorous efforts in the heart settled, "Shall we be permitted to of Burmah?" We must expect occasional abuses, and perhaps some open hostility. The history of the churc, in all past ages, warrants us to expect this. I do hope our dear Christian friends in America will not despair of accomplishing all that for Burmah, which their hearts desire. Let us have time to make a fair trial, and I trust it will tell upon this people through all coming time. The door is now open, and I trust it is never to be closed, till the last vestige of idolatry is swept from the land. In a preceding letter, I informed you of the safe arrival of bro. and sister Cutter. They have both been mate. I hope they will be sent on with as little delay as possible, that I may not be under the necessity of sending again to Bengal; as medicines there, are three and four hundred per cent. higher than in America. down with the fever and bowel com- in good glass stopper bottles, or plaint, but they are now enjoying they will soon be spoiled in this clitolerable health, and are getting along well in the language. Bro. Cutter has just got the press in operation, and it is known by the whole Government. A few days ago, the Government made objections to our work altogether, preaching, printing, and giving of tracts; but, after a while, being either afraid or ashamed of driving us out of the country, they relinquished all demands except one; that was, that we should give no more of the "Investigator" to the people. I consider, therefore, that we occupy higher ground than we did before. The Government has indirectly given us liberty to preach, print, and give all our books except the Investigator. I am sorry to say, that I have been under the necessity of sending to Bengal for medicines. The little I brought with me from America, has long since been expended; and, at different times, I have procured, with my own money, about sixty rupees worth of medicines; but the expense of living in Ava, puts it out of my power to purchase more. Seldom a day passes, but I am called upon to administer to the sick. Often, members of Government, and some of the princes, have called on me for medical aid. I would gladly be free from all such cares, but, situated as I am, it is not possible. While the curative remedy lies before me, I cannot withhold it from my suffering fellow-men. Besides that, the arm of beneficence extended to the suffering sick, opens the door more widely for the diffusion of that Gospel which brings life and immortality to light. I should have written much sooner, but, having seen advertised, that a quantity of medicine was on its way to Burmah, I hoped to receive a supply; not, however, hearing any thing more about it, I have ordered a small supply from Bengal; what I suppose will last ten or eleven months, I wish for a full chest of medicines, put up by some respectable physician, or well approved othecary. They must be put up This city is visited by the angel of death. The small pox broke out about one month ago, and has become an epidemic. We are informed by officers of Government, that five thousand seven hundred children are dead, besides all the other classes. It is heart-rending to hear the lamentations of the people. The gates of the city are not shut at all, and the fires that consume the dead, burn day and night. The native physicians appear to be unskilled in every branch of their profession, except it be the act of plundering the people. They pay no attention to the course or symptoms of disease; but administer several poisonous vegetable nostrums, in rapid succession, calling upon the people to make offerings to the Nats. Four persons in our house are now covered with the small pox; but I have kept away the native physician, and they are all doing well. In one house near us, three persons died in one day. In some houses, all are dead, four or five having died in a house. Will you kindly remember me to the members of the Board, and to other Christian friends in and around Boston. We beg an interest in your fervent prayers, and ask for your continued advice. Yours affectionately, in the Gospel of Christ, E. KINCAID. CHUMMERAH. MISS CUMMINGS TO DR. BOLLES. The following letter gives a lively picture of a first year's residence among the Karens, and of the cheerful patience inspired by Christian principles in the heart of a devoted missionary. Chummerah, Jan. 1, 1834. Rev. and dear Sir, One year has expired since my arrival in Burmah, some account of myself is justly due to those persons, under whose patronage I have been been brought hither. No regular journal has been kept of what I have done, or of what I have seen. The former may all be summed up in a single paragraph; and the latter is, for the most part, similar to that which is constantly written for your perusal, in the journals and letters of the missionaries. As to what I have heard, I am yet too great a novice in the language, to attempt recording a single debate. nature. I soon began to feel, in some degree, their effects, but was not satisfied that there was sufficient cause to justify a removal. While I was deliberating, and inquiring what I ought to do, my Burman teacher was suddenly taken with the jungle fever, which shortly increased to such a degree, as to render him unable to help himself. I now saw, that, should I be seized in like manner, we should be in an evil case, there being no one to look to us but Karens, who know as little about nursing, as they do about the fine arts of polished society. All doubt respecting the path of duty being removed, on the morning of September 23d, I superintended the loading of the mission-boat, the rain descending in torrents; and, assigning to the sick man the best place, started, with ten or eleven other persons on board, about eight o'clock. The current being unusually rapid, and the tide being in our favor, as we drew towards Maulmein, we arrived in that city the same day, at even. There I remained till the 23d ult., when I once more ascended the Salwen, for this place, which I reached on the 27th ult. My time has been employed in studying the language, extending a little medical and other aid to the sick, and looking after the school, and other little concerns attending the station. These matters are trifling, as it respects the labor But Shortly after my arrival, I procured a Burman teacher, and commenced studying; and, after mature deliberation and consultation, thought it expedient to retire to this station, and here spend the dry season. The plan having met the approbation of the brethren, I left Maulmein on the 7th of February, and arrived at Chummerah the third day after. June 20, was taken ill; and, on the 23d, set out for Maulmein, to which place I arrived the day following. This course had been previously enjoined upon me, in case of sickness. Found my health so well restored by the change of air and diet, that I concluded to return, and attempt spending the remainder of the rainy season in the Karen jungle. Ac-I have bestowed about them. cordingly, I again entered the boat with the natives, who, in all my travels, are my only companions; and, after having been out three stormy nights, reached my lodging place in the wilderness, July 2d. My health continued tolerably good, till September, when the rains began to abate, and the sun to shine upou the The story of self has been short. earth, now fully saturated with water. I have encountered no great hardThe rays of the sun, in many re-ships, have achieved no wonders, spects, so cheering and beneficial in their influence, bring sickness and death to many of the poor wretches inhabiting these wilds. The exhalations they occasion from the putrefied substances which cover the whole region, are pestilential in their the natives do much better with one of the mission family with them, even though that one be a female, and unacquainted with their language, than they do when left to themselves, which must have been the case here, had I not resided among them. and have been promoted to no worldly honors. Crosses, self-denials, sufferings, trials,-none have I to mention, worthy of the name. The evils I anticipated, have not yet been realized; and a year, happier than has been the past, have I never secu. |