living at Mata-myu. I felt very much for the man, and his family, for he is a firm believer in Christianity, but the habits of intemperance have so got the mastery of his judgment that he at first declared he never could overcome them. He however promised better before I left him, and expressed a great anxiety that, whatever became of him, his children should become Christians and learn to read. I asked, "Why do you not call on me, when you come to Tavoy, as you occasionally do?" "Why the truth is," he replied, "whenever I go to Tavoy I get drink, and am ashamed to come near you. What you say is very true, and our fathers said,Children! there is a great road to hell, but a very small one to heaven.'” I have been pleased to learn since, that the visit was not lost upon him. He has lately been to Mata-myu, and desired his son there to go and commence a school in a Karen settlement near, where he has many relatives, and to which he promises to send all his children. I bless God that idolatry has never stained this landscape with her blighting touch. Her pagodas have never risen to these "rocky turrets;" her images were never planted on yonder hills, laughing in their verdure, as just from the hand of nature before the earth was cursed. The inhabitants of this scenery seem to be under the genius of the place. They are nature's children, simple, honest, hospitable, and kind. In a walk of a few miles I find myself removed almost to the antipodes of the moral world-from a nation of idolaters, without a single trait of character but what is repulsive, to the worshippers of nature's God, a people with all the social virtues of civilization without its comforts, a people whom it is impossible but to love. That the picture is not overdrawn I have impartial testimony. A Catholic missionary in Burmah, many years ago, referring to the Karens, wrote, "If we look at the savages who inhabit the frontiers of this country, and the forests in its centre, we find minds of a higher character, who are more governed by reason than by fear-we find many who would prefer death to a vile slavery. The Karians have given us many ex-priest here, who has lately arrived amples of this within the last few years. We find them conscientiously attached to the laws of justice, faithful to their agreements, frank in their manner, submissive without servility, grateful for kindness, and affectionate to those who show affection to them.-The less intercourse these wild tribes have with the Burmese, the more fond they are of liberty. They are probably of a different origin, as the difference of their features and their color indicates. Their religion, which consists of but few tenets, shows a different origin." I made interesting visits at three houses to-day, at one of which dwells a brother of Ko So, one of the first Karen converts. He has also a promising son that I baptized a couple of years ago, when in school, but now married and * The Karens as a nation are considerably whiter than the Burmese, although individuals may be found in each of nearly the same shade, as I think I have understood those that visited America were. Roman Catholic Missionary-Consistency of character. 23. The Jesuits seem disposed to make inroads upon us. In a note from a gentleman at Mergui, who has ever shown much kindness to myself and other missionaries, he writes me, "We have a nice Roman Catholic from Penang. He is a French Jesuit, and expects the bishop of Siam, up here soon, on his tour of visitation. The priest himself has gone to Palan to endeavor to make converts amongst the Karians, but he does not understand a word of Burman. He is to communicate with the people through an interpreter who speaks Portuguese, but with this language the priest is but indifferently acquainted." 25. To-day I parted with a gentleman who has been removed with his corps to Madras, in whom, for three years, I have found a Christian brother that participated in a missionary's feelings. Besides laboring among the Europeans, he had a school, where Christian books were used, among the Mahometans and Hindoos. He felt a deep interest in the Karens, and with great officer's house" was well known, me visited them in their jungles. "The and often visited by the Christians in return; and it was with sincere regret that those who have been in town, asked for baptism, last year, at Htee-poHtsee, continue to walk as Christians, and are anxious to receive the ordinances. "Blessed be God, who hath not. turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me." 28. Four persons, who have come within the last few days, bade him a long farewell, saying, "We shall never forget you, and notwithstanding you are far from us, remember us, we beseech you, and pray for us. Though we never meet you again on earth, we hope to meet you again in heaven." He entered warmly into the temper-up from Pyee-khya, asked for baptism ance cause, and was officially reproved this evening. One is the son of a head for circulating tracts on temperance, man in that district, and seems a deciamong the soldiers. By his brother ded Christian, although his father is officers, he was reproved for being seen addicted to habits of intemperance, and in the streets with the missionaries, is a violent opposer of Christianity. giving away tracts, and when they saw him drinking water at dinner, while all around drank wine, Dec. 7. This evening I attended the Annual Meeting of the Tavoy Missionary Society, and gave a brief view of what the Lord has done for us, the past year. The Society again resolved to support four native assistants the approaching year, as it has done the year that has closed. The following extract affords encouragement to the faithful labors of private Christians. "Some deem'd him wondrous wise, And some believ'd him mad.” Southern Karens receiving the Gospel. 27. "My soul doth magnify the Lord." One of the Karen native assistants from the south, came in this evening, with the soul-awakening intelligence that the inhabitants of twentyseven or twenty-eight houses among the A European that I baptized two or southern Karens, have all come out on three years ago, and who studied Burthe Lord's side, and have, in both pro- man, to render himself useful to the fession and practice, become Christians. people, was removed about a year ago, Moung Doo, the man that has just to Penang, from which place he writes arrived, was stationed at Pyee-khya, as follows: "Our little [temperance] and reports, that he had a school of Society, at Penang, is doing wonders. thirty-eight scholars, and that thirteen There are but fifty-one men belonging houses in the settlement are Christian. to the detachment of artillery, at this A man and his wife that heard the place, and forty-five of them have retruth on my first visit, remained faith-nounced the use of ardent spirits. Now ful to the light they received, until the woman was called to her rest, last rains, and the man, with his children, has now removed to Mata-myu, for the sake of the Christian society, and the advantage of living near the teachers. A letter from the assistant at Ka-pa says, "I have a school of twelve scholars. The inhabitants of this village, believe and obey the gospel. One man violently opposes, but the people that believe, are very numerous."-The assistant at Tsarawa writes, that he had two scholars only, and, no one believing the gospel, he accepted a pressing invitation from some Karens living a day's journey south of Ka-pa, where he has had some success in preaching, and has finally removed there. From Tamler the assistant writes, that he has had a small school, and that the principal inhabitants of six houses have become Christians. He adds, "The power of God is manifested here, and those that believe, look with anxious expectation, on the teacher's road, and say, 'Let the teacher come." ."" I also learn that the five persons that this is the Lord's doing. The corporal of the detachment comes to the commissariat's store with a bottle, to draw the company's liquor, instead of a large copper pot, as formerly. It is surprising to see the alteration among the men, since they have abandoned the use of ardent spirits. Instead of contentions and fightings, good will and harmony reign among them. The hospital and guard room are, as they should be, empty. We still continue our social prayer meeting and bible class, in the fort, and it is a great consolation to know that the Lord will hear the prayers of his people.-I visit the Burmese on Wednesday evening as usual, and generally have a good congregation. The Rev. Mr. Dyer, one of the missionaries at this place, always accompanies me. I read portions of the Scripture to them and expound in the best manner I can, trusting in the Lord's promise, that his word shall not return void. After this the Rev. Mr. Dyer concludes the service by praying in English, and I also pray as well as I can in Burmese. I am very deficient in the language, but the Lord sometimes works by feeble means." To the honor of the above individual it ought to be recorded, that during his stay here, after he joined the church, he, unsolicited, contributed seven dollars a month for missionary purposes; and that when he arrived at Penang, there was no temperance society, no bible class, no prayer meeting with the soldiers, and no preaching to the little settlement of Burmese, at that place. JOURNAL OF MR. WADE. Tour among Villages on Tavoy River. Nov. 13, 1835. Left Tavoy with Mrs. Wade, and three or four Burman and Karen assistants, in order to visit the villages of Burmans below us, and the Karens at Toung-byouk. Spent the night in our boat off Myo-so-village, where we distributed tracts, and I preached from my boat to the people assembled on the shore. The assistants also went to another small village, not far distant, where the people listened and received tracts gladly. 14. Arrived at Thah-pa Shoung village, and took up our abode in a miserable little zayat, where we intend to spend the Sabbath. what it is to traverse this wide and dreary world, through raging seas, or the tiger-haunted jungle, to proclaim a Savior to these poor dark heathen! 19. Were not able to move yesterday, or even get on shore. To-day, however, we have succeeded in reaching a considerable village where we distributed the precious gospel, and spent some time in conversing with the people. Several were very attentive, and promised to call their neighbors together every evening, to read the books. Hope our visit was not quite in vain. 20. Have spent most of the day in trying to go out of the mouth of the river, and proceed to the Karen villages, but the wind and tide being against us, we did not succeed, and have concluded to return to Tavoy. 21. Reached town to-day, and learn that one boat was upset, and another entirely lost, with all on board, during the heavy wind, while we have returned in health and safety. Moung Shway Doke, the Burman last baptized, accompanied us in visiting the villages, and we are happy to perceive in him some promising talents for usefulness; but he much needs instruction. 24. Having in our former excursion visited villages only on the east side of Sunday, 15. Preached, and distribut- the river, I set out this morning, accomed tracts in three villages, and at even-panied by Mrs. Wade, and two native ing had an attentive assembly of women, to whom we told the glad news of salvation. 16. The party of females who attended last evening, came again this morning, bringing a little present of honey and rice, and listened for some time to Mrs. Wade's instructions. We then continued our course down the river, and distributed tracts in three villages, where they were received gladly. At one large village, they begged earnestly for more bibles and tracts than we had in the boat. 17. Slept in our boat near the last house we shall see in the river, and have been toiling all day to get out of the mouth of the river towards Toungbyouk. But a strong head wind and rough sea have kept us back, so that weary, and sad, and hungry, we crossed the river just at dark, and came in behind this island, for a little quiet. assistants, to visit the villages on the west side of the river. Distributed tracts in one village, gave the bible to one respectable man, and preached to those who were disposed to listen. 25. Distributed tracts and the bible in two large villages, and told the people of Him who is "mighty to save." 26. Visited two more villages, and had a good assembly at evening worship. The tracts were received gladly. May the Lord bless the seed sown here. 27. Visited three villages to-day, but met with little encouragement. "Can these dry bones live?" 28. Spent the whole day in getting up this small creek, in order to visit some large villages. Sunday, 29. Preached in the forenoon in one large village, and in another in the afternoon, while Mrs. Wade spent the day in a third, where I had a good assembly in the evening. 18. Had a restless night in our 30. Visited another large village, on boat, on account of the rolling of the our way to town, and reached home waves, and have no prospect of moving in the evening, having visited twelve to-day, as the wind still blows violently. villages, giving tracts to all who would How little do our friends, in their quiet receive them, and leaving one or more homes in our dear native land, know | bibles in every village. We subjoin here from another communication of Mr. Wade, a summary view of the operations of the Mission during the past year. Summary of Tavoy Station for 1835. Early in Dec., Mr. Wade accompanied Mrs. Wade to Matamyu, and on his return set out for Ya, to visit the Burinese and Karens in that district. Visit to Ya District. Yalah, Jan. 18, 1836. To-day I came across to this place, which is on the sea shore, having sent off my boat three days previously to come round by water. I thus, by about four hours' Baptisms.-There have been baptized at the station, during the year, 61 Karens, 2 Burmans, and 3 Europeans. Total, 66. One European has been excluded, and two Karens suspended. Present number of the church, 248 Karens, 7 Burmans, and 4 Europe-walk, save about sixty miles' travel by ans. Total, 259. Schools.-At or before the commencement of the rains, i. e. the last of February, school-masters were placed at five different Karen settlements, at a considerable distance from each other; and where the school-master himself was not able to do something in the way of preaching, a native assistant preacher was stationed with him. From all these stations we have heard pleasing accounts, except one, and there the opposition was so great, as to break up the school. The schoolteacher removed to another settlement, where he has done what he could, in making known the gospel. We have had one Karen boarding-school, of 60 scholars, five months of the year, in Tavoy, under the superintendence of Mrs. Wade. Mrs. Mason, and Miss Gardner have had each four or five Burman day schools. Native assistants.-Including those who have already been mentioned as connected with the Karen village schools, eight native assistants have been employed during the year-seven Karens, and one Burman. Of these, four have been supported by the Tavoy Missionary Society, and one by myself. The others generally got some help from the inhabitants where they were einployed, and have been paid more or less accordingly. water, and half that distance is out at sea. The boat has not arrived, nor could we much expect its arrival till toinorrow. Some of the Karens with us had never seen the sea before, and seemed much to enjoy the grandeur of the scene, especially as we walked on the beach at sunset. 19. This evening, saw our boat approaching the place, but the evening closed around them before they could get in. The place is difficult of approach, especially in the night, on account of rocks and sands. 20. The boat came in last evening, and this morning we started out to sea; but we had so strong a head wind that the boatmen said they could not pull against it, so we were obliged to turn back. 23. The head wind still continues to blow strong at the time of flood tide, though it abates during the ebb; therefore, we are still obliged to remain, the boatmen declaring they cannot pull against the wind during the flood, or against the current during the ebb. 24. Last evening we put out to sea, and came about fifteen miles, the wind having abated, so that we spend the Sabbath at anchor near the shore, but distant from any inhabitants. Our little assembly consists of ten individuals, viz. four boatmen, one Burman assistant, a Karen assistant, and a schoolteacher for the Karens at Ya, and three other Karen Christians, who assist in carrying cooking utensils, &c. when we travel by land-and myself. Inquirers. We have at present on our list about thirty hopeful inquirers, a number of whom have already asked for baptism, mostly Karens. We cannot expect many inquirers among the 27. Last evening, we reached the Burmans, until a greater portion of la- mouth of Ya river, and this morning bor is made to bear directly upon them. pulled up to a place where there are We very much need an additional mis- two small Burman villages, which we sionary here to devote himself exclu- visited. But we found the inhabitants, sively to them; not merely in Tavoy in general, entirely averse to receiving city, but the whole province in connect- religious books, and deaf to the news of ion with the provinces of Mergui, and salvation through Jesus Christ. Ya. At present there is no one but such villages we have most striking br. Mason and myself, for all the Ka- lessons of the utter depravity of the rens and Burmans in these three prov-human heart, and the blinding influence inces. of idolatry and superstition. In 29. During the last two days we have visited some of the Karen settlements, but find not among the people, the least disposition to listen to the gospel. They have joined themselves to the idols of the Burmans, and, knowing nothing about the principles of Boodhism, are more difficult to reason with than the Burmans themselves. We have tried to persuade them, but in vain, and all that we can do, is to pray for them. If there ever was a case in which the blind were led by the blind, it is here. 31. Yesterday, visited a Karen settlement, but found no body who cared enough about his soul to induce him to listen to the news of salvation through Christ. They had embraced the Burman religion, and resolved to sink or swim with Gaudama. One old woman attracted my notice-she must have been above eighty. She was entirely blind, and almost deaf; tottering on the borders of the grave; and yet, in regard to her ornaments, (if they deserve the name,) displayed the vanity of a girl of sixteen. Her ear ornaments were particularly fine. They consisted of solid cylinders of wood, about an inch and a half in length, and between seven and eight inches in circumference; and yet they were not sufficiently large to fill up the holes in the lobes of her ears. It seemed as if God had sent us, to give her a chance to hear of Jesus, and believe on him, before her accounts should be sealed up unto the judgment of the great day. But I fear she will not profit thereby.-To-day we visited a settlement where the people seemed a little more like Karens. One man, the chief's brother, expressed a determined resolution to learn to read; but the chief himself was not at home, and much will depend on what he says about the matter on his return: if he is favorable, this settlement will want a school. Feb. 2. We have visited the Karens at the head of Ya river, and find them of about the same stamp as those already mentioned. The chief for some time seemed very favorable, and gave the hope that he would encourage the children and youth of his district to learn to read Karen; but said he must consult with his brothers. He did so, and returned, saying they were not of the same mind, and he could therefore give no further encouragement. The native assistant and school-teacher resolve to remain a month or two in this region, (though they must hire their board,) and make a thorough effort among the different settlements, hoping that, at length, some may be persuaded to listen to the word of life. We have visited again the settlement mentioned under last date, but the chief had not yet returned. We have fallen in with br. Osgood, and native brethren from Maulmein, and with the books which he and we both brought, we have scattered bibles and tracts quite through the city of Ya. I was not aware that brother Osgood was coming down here; but we have had a good visit, and do not think our labors interfered with each other, as I devoted my labors principally to the Karens. 6. Left Ya on the fourth, and after a very favorable passage reached Yalah this morning, and, crossing over by land, was in Tavoy about sunset. Found Mrs. Mason and Miss Gardner well. Return to Matamyu. 10. After preaching on the Sabbath, and spending Monday in making preparations for another month's absence from home, set out again for Matah, and reached the place about the midWade in comfortable health, and some dle of the afternoon. Found Mrs. intimations of a revival of religion in the place. A number of the native Christians had an increased spirit of prayer, particularly for the children and youth who were not yet converted. I pray God that the gathering cloud may increase and pour down upon us a has kept a journal of events from the shower of divine grace. Mrs. Wade time of our coming up to this place, during my absence, and will continue it the remainder of the time that we stay here. A part of the journal here alluded to, has been received, and is inserted below. JOURNAL OF MRS. WADE. Matah village, Dec. 6, 1835. Arrived at this place last evening, after a most fatiguing journey over the mountains which lie between Tavoy and these Karen villages. Mr. Wade, as usual, walked all the way; but I being unable to do so, have a kind of litter, by means of which four men are able to carry me a part of the way. In crossing the mountains, however, I am obliged to walk eight or ten miles in succession. When we arrived within three or four miles of this place, the Christians, hearing of our approach, came out to meet us, in large companies, and their joy |