AT CHUMMERAH. Departure from Maulmein-Arrival at Chummerah-Cordial Reception by Ka JOURNAL OF MR. VINTON, MISSIONARY of the language would allow. But O, when shall I be able to preach Christ, with the same facility in Karen as in English. My daily prayer is for divine aid to assist me in my studies. O Lord, for the sake of thy dear cause, and the souls of the poor heathen, speed me on to a rapid acquisition of the language. rens. Jan. 2, 1835. Left Maulmein for Chummerah with a joyful heart, in view of the glorious work before me. Proceeded up the river about ten miles, to a Taling village where we spent the night. Here, while the boatmen were cooking their rice, I preached my first sermon to the villagers that collected round. It was a precious privilege, though my scanty knowledge of the language would allow me to say but little, and even that through an interpreter. 4. Sabbath. Spent the day at Rajah's village, where we arrived late last evening. Rajah and his wife are Christians, but were both from home. We went to their house, which we occupied as a place of worship. Scarcely were we seated, before the whole village came in to see the foreign teachers. Not one of them were Christians, and many of them had never seen a missionary before. We announced public worship commencing at ten o'clock, A. M., when they dispersed, and came again at the hour appointed. Our assembly averaged from fifteen to twenty through the day, and a number continued with us from morning till evening, and appeared to be sincere inquirers. Some, I trust, will yet stand upon Mount Zion, as the fruit of this day's labor. 5. Called at a little village where a number of Ko Chet-thing's relations live. Here numbers are almost persuaded to be Christians. Two in particular desired baptism, and proposed following us to Chummerah in a few weeks, to enjoy that sacred ordinance. 6. On our arrival here, (Chummerah,) the native Christians greeted us with expressions of kindest regard. All seemed intent, by action as well as by word, to express the sincerity of their joy at our arrival. For all, men, women, and children, immediately commenced carrying our things from the boat, up the steep ascent to the house; nor stopped till all were safely housed. In the evening, nearly the whole village came together for worship; when a hymn was sung, a portion of scripture read and expounded, and two prayers offered. 11. Sabbath. Between sixty and seventy at worship. Ko Tau-nah preached in the morning, and Ko Chet-thing in the afternoon. At the close, I exhorted as well as my scanty knowledge 12. Two applicants for baptism. Both appeared well. One, however, had not laid aside her ornaments. I referred her to 1 Tim. ii. 9, and told her, if she loved the Savior, she would be willing her ornaments, since he required it. to keep all his commands, and part with She replied her ornaments should go, and immediately took them off. The church generally are satisfied with them both, still it is thought best that one should wait a little. The other I shall probably baptize next Sabbath. Repeated Baptisms—Itineracies—Plan for Schools. 18. Sabbath. Happy day-such as I have longed for years to see. Baptized the individual referred to above; while a solemn stillness pervaded the whole assembly. All seemed to feel that God was there. Numbers, while we sung, wept freely, and, I trust, will soon yield to the heavenly mandate of the Savior, and believe and be baptized. May propitious Heaven smile upon the ordinance of his own appointment, and bless it to the conversion of multitudes. 23. It is absolutely torturing to my feelings, to be visited by multitudes of dark idolaters, ready to receive the light of life, and yet be able to impart no more. Numbers have called to-day. I preached to them Jesus and the resurrection as well as I could, then Ko Chet-thing would take my subject and proceed, confounding all their speculations, and answering all their objections. 25. Sabbath. More than usual at worship to-day. At the close of the morning service, numbers came forward for personal conversation. One in particular appeared quite intelligent, though very ignorant of the Christian religion. He said he did not care enough for Meukanlu to worship him, though he observed some few of his customs. When told if he obeyed the instructions of Meukanlu, he would incur the frown of the Almighty God and be subject to his displeasure, he said, "Then I will in future worship God." Still I fear his heart remains unsubdued, and that his resolutions will soon be forgotten. Another said, for his part he chose to go to hell, because he could not think of being separated day in this way. From four o'clock, P. M., till time for evening worship, I am resolved to spend in going from house to house, and from village to village, praying and beseeching all I meet, in Christ's stead, to be reconciled to God. from his friends and relatives; and since they had gone there, he was resolved to go there too. But when he came to hear more of the condition of those who make their bed in that dreadful abode, he seemed to think best to keep clear of it, if possible. I told him of the Savior-his preciousness-his love to the Karens, together with his ability and willingness to save them; and that his was the only name through which they could be saved. Still I fear he will not come to Christ, that he may have life. O Lord, vain is the help of man. Let thy Spirit come, and the heathen shall quickly bow to thy peaceful sceptre, and Jesus shall have them for his inherit-him no rest till he flees from our bor ance. 14. Walked about two miles to a neighboring village, but every inhabitant was absent. One of the Christians who accompanied me, said it was his opinion that Meukanlu, fearing the consequences of our visit, had taken the precaution to send them all away. We, however, returned and commenced an attack upon his dominion in Chummerah, resolved, by the grace of God, to give ders. 15. Sabbath. Six applicants for baptism, all youth and children. They are all members of the school, and have attended Mrs. V.'s daily meeting with the children for a number of weeks. Two or three of them give delightful evidence of piety. They have broken off all their childish sports, and emphatically live lives of prayer. some of the church, on account of their being children, think best to have them wait a little; so I have put them off for the present. Still, Feb. 8. During the last week numbers have visited us from a distance, who never before heard anything of the gospel. It was to them a thing almost incredible that we, from love to their souls, had left our native land with all its endearments, and encountered the perils of the deep, and located ourselves for life in this land of strangers. But the account of a Savior's dying love was still more wonderful; and when told that by renouncing the works of the devil, they through his merits might be saved, they were much affected. I told a number, who lived in a village but a few miles distant, that we should have worship here to-day, and invited them to come. They were here betimes, and appeared well. The unusual number of inquirers to-day, gives me great encouragement to expect that this Karen jungle will yet be converted to God. Baptized the head woman (referred to Jan. 12th). She has, II might well sink down in discouragethink, forsaken all to follow Christ. 9. Two Burman inquirers this morning. I asked them if Gaudama was able to save them. They discarded the idea, and said that Gaudama was dead and annihilated, and therefore had no power to save. I then told them of Christ; that though he was dead, yet he is alive again, and liveth forevermore, and is able to save to the uttermost all that come to God by him. This was a new and strange doctrine to them; and yet it was full of interest; and they asked me to give them books that would tell them something more about this new religion. 11. Commenced a course of village itineracy. Hitherto I have made but few direct efforts for the conversion of the heathen, confining myself almost entirely to the study of their language. But I can no longer spend the whole 22. During the last week there has been a gradual increase of interest. In my daily excursions among the natives, I find much to encourage me to go on with my work. A number that were formerly regarded as almost hopeless cases, may now be regarded as hopeful inquirers. Still my principal encouragement is derived from the oath and promise of God. Were it not for this, ment and even abandon my work. But upon his promised aid I rest my otherwise fainting soul, as upon an immoveable basis. O! how inexpressibly sweet to the missionary of the cross are those promises of divine aid and assurances of divine favor, which it is his peculiar privilege to draw from the sacred word, while pursuing his high and holy calling. Yes, blessed be God, I shall yet see the salvation of the Lord poured down upon this Karen jungle; and this waste howling wilderness shall yet become a fruitful Eden of the Lord. To-morrow morning I leave for Maulmein, to consult with the brethren there respecting the establishment of schools during the rains. My plan is to fix upon as many parts as we can find suitable men to occupy, and set them to teaching and preaching. This measure seems the more desirable, as but very few of the Karens have yet learned to read, nor will they till the missionaries devise some plan to teach them. 23. Left for M., and reached Rajah's village, (see Journal, Jan. 4,) about eight o'clock in the evening. As we were obliged to leave the next morning before light, on account of the tide, the native Christians said they would take me upon their shoulders, and carry me, as the boat could not come within a number of rods of the shore, the tide being out. So we went to the village. At the first house we entered, whom should we find but a disciple of Gaudama, endeavoring to instil his pernicious doctrines into the minds of the simple hearted Karens. I, however, unfurled the banner of my dying Lord, and to my great joy, not one of the eight or ten Karens present but seemed disposed to gather around the standard. They unhesitatingly discarded the idea of worshipping Gaudama or evil spirits, and seemed all absorbed in the wonderful fact that through Jesus they might receive forgiveness of sin and eternal life. So the seed sown on our way to C. has already sprung up; and if the fruit do not now appear, still there is increasing evidence that there will yet be a harvest. 27. The brethren at M. having approved my plan with regard to schools, I returned as far as Rajah's village, and made some arrangements for a school during the coming rains. Here again I found the Burman employed as when I called before; but his cause is evidently on the wane, and he, apparently convinced of the fact, abruptly left us in the midst of our conversation. I had, however, supplied him with tracts, which he promised to read, and I am not without hope that they will prove a light to his feet and a lamp to his path, and will yet conduct him to the sinner's friend. March 1. An unusual number of inquirers at worship to-day. The Lord has sent them in answer to our prayer; and blessed be his holy name forever. Surely he is a prayer answering God, and will yet convert these precious souls, in answer to our cry. At the close of our afternoon service, went to a neighboring village, and on entering the chief's house, he called his family and village around me, to hear the Gospel. It was a precious opportunity to pour into their dark minds the light of eternal life; for there was not one caviller among them. On my leaving, they requested me to come again, assuring me they discarded Meukanlu, and were resolved in future to worship God. 3. Visited Tapak's village, but found little encouragement. Came back with a heavy heart, for all was either cold indifference, or open hostility to the truth. Ah, Lord God, surely thy truth falls powerless from the lips of one so vile as I. O when wilt thou come to purify this polluted heart and sanctify me wholly. 12. Last night we were visited by a more formidable enemy than thieves or tigers. He came amid the darkness and stillness of the night, and seized upon his prey, (a helpless infant,) regardless of the sighs and groans of broken-hearted parents and weeping relatives. True, his form is terrible; but there is an unseen hand that holds him fast, so that he has no power to harm us. All he can do is to furnish us a passport to our resting-place in heaven. Still there is a thought comes stealing in upon me, which is like a barbed arrow to my soul. What though he fix his iron grasp upon the little helpless innocent, and carry it, in chains, to the land of freedom. For this I will not mourn. But O! to see him drag immortal souls to the bar of God, and thence to the pit of endless wo! this, THIS is insupportable. And perhaps his next victim may be a soul committed to my charge to train for heaven. And have I done the work assigned me? O God, forgive, and by thy grace assisting I will henceforth remember my high calling, and act with reference to the retributions of eternity. 15. Sabbath. Baptized three,-one the brother of Ko Chet-thing, a man of considerable influence and promise; the other two were children. (To be concluded.) Arracan. JOURNAL OF MR. COMSTOCK. (Concluded from p. 69.) Kyouk Phyoo, April 21, 1835. While conversing with some men, the old man, mentioned the 15th, came. To see him trembling on the very verge of perdition, awakened the sympathies of my heart, and with much feeling, I told those present, that when a disciple of Christ was old, he knew that he would soon be with his Savior in heaven; but when a disciple of Gaudama was old and ready to die, he knew not where he would go. I then asked the old man if he knew. He said, No. I made use of the circumstance, to show him and oth ers present, the superiority of the religion well, but were entirely ignorant gion of Christ, and with some apparent of that of Christ. They sat two hours success. The heathen have very little or more, and listened to remarks on assympathy; but these seemed to feel a tronomy and geography, illustrated by little in view of the situation of the the apparatus, and on the fundamental poor old man, just going he knew not truths of the Christian religion. Conwhere. At evening, about half a doz-versation about Myemno mount, the en came from the kyoungs, where they are taught by the priests, and listened half an hour or more. I long to have the language at command, but fear a higher state of piety is still more neces sary. four great islands, &c., appears to be necessary with all new visiters. Since I ventured to deny their existence the news has spread, and all want to hear what I have to say in defence of my novel and heretical theory; and as their system is found in the betagat, of course a refutation of it must very much impair their faith in the religion of Gaudama, which is sustained by the same 22. A severe head-ache to-day. A ble to read but a little Burman. Few visiters, and some of them a little captious. Felt a slight disposition to be impatient and discouraged, but remem-authority. The objections of these old bering how long God had borne with them and with me, and that the hearts of these heathen were entirely under his control, and that as soon as he saw best they would bow to the authority of Christ, repressed it. Interest in the New Religion-Encouraging Interview. 23. Two new visiters to-day, and some former ones present a short time. Observed that some ten or a dozen coolies, at work near the house, conversed much during the day about the eternal God, &c. Have heard that the tracts are read a good deal at the market, and there is much discussion about the religion of Christ. Some say, this is the true religion, let us embrace it. Others say, we wont forsake the customs of our fathers; and if you do, we wont eat with you, &c. One of Mrs. C.'s feinale visiters says that she has heard so much about the new religion that she understands it some, believes it is true, and desires a new heart, that she may become a disciple. O that the Lord would soon bring some of these heathen to a knowledge of the truth. If only one felt the love of Jesus in the heart, it seems that others could be made to understand the subject. 24. Only three have called to-day to hear about Christ, two of them for the first time. They sat an hour or more, paid very respectful attention to what was said, and took tracts when they left. 25. Began to think that I was to see no more of the natives at the house for the present; but just as I was ready to rise from the dinner table, about ten men, some considerably aged, came. They were from a distant village, and seemed to understand their own reli men were very nearly the same that I have frequently met, and I think are easily answered. At least, few insist on them after my replies. One of the men said that God did not make the earth, but it sprang up of itself. I showed him my watch, telling him that it was not made but came into existence of itself, and asked him if he believed it. No, was the answer. And why? said I: because it goes regularly, keeps time, and shows that it must have been made by some one possessing watch-making wisdom: the same argument applies to the earth. To this all assented. As most of them were old, I told them they must die soon, and asked them where they would go. They replied, as is usual, they did'nt know. I told them, on their system they never could know; for, if saved at all, it must be by their own merit, and they could not know how the account stood, whether they had merit enough to carry them to heaven or not; but the disciples of Christ, trusting in his merit, which they knew to be all-sufficient, are confident that when they die they shall enter heaven. When told that those who were not disciples would go to an eternal hell, they thought it very hard that they should be thus punished for not believing on Christ, when they were not acquainted with his existence, &c. I told them that men would go to hell for their sins, and the heathen would not be damned for not believing on him of whom they had not heard, but for their sins, of which they all knew they were guilty. To this they assented, and, after hearing a part of the 1st chapter of Romans, seemed to be satisfied. They took tracts on leaving, and promised to come again. Others were present a part of the time. Soon after they left, the head man of the village, with two or three others, came and listened nearly an hour. Another head man, from a distant village, called to get a tract for himself, and three more for some other persons. I feel quite encouraged by the occurrences of the afternoon-but to thee, O Lord, would I look for a blessing upon the feeble efforts thou hast permitted me to make to-day for thy glory. O honor thine own truth, and pity these poor heathen, for the sake of Him who died that they might live. Various Discussions-English Worship -Circulation of Tracts. 26. Sunday. Some of the hearers of yesterday, with others, present most of the day. The laws of Gaudama and Christ were brought into comparison. I tried to show the superiority of the latter, by the fact that it laid the axe at the root of the tree of evil, a wicked heart, whereas the former required only outward good acts. Make the tree good, and the fruit will be good; but if the tree is bad, how can it yield good fruit? To this, assent is given. A change of heart is a new thing to the heathen, but when made to understand it they acknowledge its necessity and importance. The subject of killing animals was considerably discussed today, as frequently before. I tell them that God crented all animals, and gave them into the hands of man, and there is no guilt in killing them for food, &c., as we do not thus transgress any law of God. I am often perplexed by questions about Christians drinking ardent spirits. The heathen know that it is wrong, as well as I do; and shall I tell them that the enlightened Christians of America not only drink, but also make and sell them. Would, for the honor of my Master, that such was not the fact. I cannot, however, teach that there is no guilt in drinking, and thus expose these benighted people to the drunkard's degradation and wretchedness, from which they are shielded by the requirements of their religion. Two or three from Ramree have called for tracts. More ask for tracts than formerly. This evening a Baptist brother belonging to the army, with another, came to my house, and we had quite an interesting prayer-meeting. I propose to have one every Sunday evening, and hope that soon some dozen or more will attend. 'Tis good to be engaged in the service of a God who can in all places give answer to prayer. 27. This afternoon attended the fu neral of a child, whose father is an Indo-Briton, and the mother a native. The father having been christened according to the custom of the church of England, desired religious services at the funeral. I read a portion of Scripture, made a few remarks, (some half dozen or more, who understood English, were present,) and prayed. Many natives were at the grave, and most of them were silent and respectful during the services. The ponghees, or priests of Gaudama, were present, and at the request of the mother performed some ceremonies after I left. Several came to the house from the grave, and listened with apparent interest to a declaration of the eternal God, and of his Son Jesus Christ, the only Savior. I insist that there can be but one God, as there can be but one king over the same country. This illustration seems to be understood, and to produce conviction with many. When they begin to enumerate the Boodhs who have appeared, and refer to the one who is yet to appear, I say No! God is without beginning or end, and therefore in all past time there could not have been another God, nor can there be another in future; as a new king could not reign over a country till the old one was off the throne. The natives here are indeed very dark in reference to religion, but a little light seems to be breaking in upon some minds. 28. A few natives of an adjoining village called and listened a short time, and three, who could read, took tracts. A young Englishman called to get some books to read. I talked with him about half an hour on the nature and importance of religion, lent him Sprague's Lectures, Pilgrim's Progress, and Memoirs of Martyn, and let him have a Bible to keep, till he gets one from Calcutta, for which he has sent. One of Mrs. C.'s female visiters declares that she has renounced idolatry, and will worship the eternal God, praying in the name of the Excellent Son, Jesus Christ, for a new heart. She lives with the Englishman mentioned above, (as many women live with Europeans here,) not knowing that there is any guilt in so doing. I urged him, as he intends still to live with her, to marry her. 29. Early this morning one of the old men who came the 25th, called, and another old man from a more distant village accompanied him, more for the purpose of getting medicine for his severe rheumatism, than to hear of Christ, I suspect. I gave him some liniment which I hope will do him good, |