to her Parents in Massachusetts.

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uncertain. In trials and afflictions, in peace and prosperity, our only hope is in God, who has ever been our confidence."

Mr.

"July 18. My Dear Parents, I again take my pen to address you must again tell you of trials and afflictions, which have more or less been our lot from our first engaging in the mission. Judson, in consequence of too close application to study during the hot season, has so far injured his head and nerves, that he is entirely unable to study or attend to any thing. It has been coming on gradually for four months, and it is now three since he laid aside study altogether. For some time after his eyes were affected, I read to him in Burman, and in that way he was able to continue his studies. But now the state of his nerves is such that he cannot even hear me read. His digestive powers are so weak, that he is unable to take any nourishment excepting rice and vegetables. We are seriously contemplating a voyage to Bengal, hoping that the sea air, or some medical assistance, may be beneficial. We cannot comprehend the design of Providence in these things. If we go to Bengal, the mission must at least be given up for a time, as there is no one to continue here. Whether we shall ever be able to return or not, is uncertain. We had fondly hoped that by the time the language was acquired, a wide and effectual door would be opened for the preaching of the gospel among this people. But now our hopes are blasted, and our brightest prospects darkened. And now, my dear parents, I think I hear you say, Are you not discouraged yet? Is it not best entirely to abandon your object, and come home to America, and settle down in peace and quiet? No! by no means. We will still intercede with our heavenly Father, not only to return us to this mission, but make this affliction tend greatly to its advancement. Or if we may not be permitted to return, we will beg and plead with others to come, and go on with the mission. We will tell them it is possible for missionary. families to live in Burmah without molestation. We will tell them what our eyes have seen, and what our ears have heard, of the horrid idolatry of this people, and how much they need the commiseration of the Christian world. We will do more.-We will return to Burmah with them and spend the remainder of our days, though deprived of health and strength, in assisting them to acquire the language, and encouraging them in their arduous work. No, my dear parents, our hearts are fixed on this mission, and with grace assisting us, we shall relinquish it only with our lives." "Nov. 14. "Sorrow may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."-Yes, my dear parents, we can write of mercies as well as of afflictions. The dark cloud which hung over us when I låst wrote, is dissipated; and the sun of prosperity, made more brilliant by contrast, once more shines upon us. We are still in Rangoon, and our prospects brighter than ever. A few days after my last date, a pious Capt. from Bengal offered us a passage free of expense to Calcutta. This circumstance determined us on going, as Mr. Judson's bealth continued to decline, and we made preparations accordingly-The Capt. who resided with us during

234

Letter from Mrs. Judson at Rangoon,

his stay in Rangoon, suggested the idea of Mr. Judson's taking exercise on horseback every morning with him, and for this purpose procured a horse. This exercise was at first painful, but by persevering in it, and adopting a more generous diet, he found that he was not growing worse as he had been for the three last months. Still, however, his disorder appeared obstinate, and urged the necessity of a voyage to sea.-We had got every thing in readiness, even an order from the Viceroy, without which no female can leave the country, when we received the joyful inteligence that Mr. Hough and family had arrived in Bengal, and would soon join us in Rangoon. I immediately gave up the idea of going, tho' we still thought it necessary for Mr. Judson to go. The vessel, however, in which we were to sail, was detained much longer than we expected; during this time, we thought, the distressing pains in Mr Judson's head less frequent, and by persevering in his course of exercise and change of diet, we began to hope he might be restored to health without going to sea, and relinquished the voyage altogether. His health is now much better, though he is not able to study so close as formerly. He has purchased him a horse, on which he rides every morning before sun-rise. We had the happiness of welcoming Mr. Hough and family to the mission-house, on the 15th of Oct. After being here three years alone, you will readily imagine that we highly enjoy the society of these dear Christian friends. And now we begin to hope the time is drawing near when there will be something in circulation among the Burmans, which will excite inquiry respecting the religion of Jesus. Mr. Judson has had a tract ready for printing for several months, and the missionaries at Serampore have kindly given us a printing press and types, which have safely arrived." Mr. Hough understands printing, and the carpenters are now busily employed in putting up a room to print in. My time was never so completely occupied as at present. My health is tolerably good, and I feel that I would not change situations with any person on earth. For a month or two past, I have been employed in writing a little catechism for children in the Burman language. It is just completed, and I am teaching it to a few children who are under my care, and who are learning to read. Pray much for us, my dear parents, for we live where satan's seat is. Pray that it may not be in vain that the gospel is brought to this country, and that we, sinful and guilty as we are, may be made instruments of good to this people.

I had

The viceroy's wife has lately been called to Ava; but the viceroy still remains. I regretted her going, on several accounts. She had evidently become much attached to me. an opportunity of trying the sincerity of her friendship at the time we got our order for going to Wengal. I went to her with a petition which Mr. Judson had written, and, contrary to Burman custom, appeared without a present. She was in an inner room with the viceroy, when I presented the petition; and after hearing it read, she looked at the viceroy, and said it should be grant

to her Parents in Massachusetts.

235

ed. She called her secretary, directed him to write an official order, and have it regularly passed through all the offices, and impressed with the royal stamp. I was determined not to leave her until I received my order, as it would be very difficult to get it unless delivered in her presence. It was not long after the order was sent from the house of government, before one of her under officers came in and told me, it would be a long time before my order would pass through the several offices, and that I had better return to my house, and he would bring me the order. The viceroy's wife asked me if that would do as well? Being perfectly acquainted with the object of the man, I replied to her, that I had much anxiety on account of this order, and if it was her pleasure, I preferred waiting for it. She said it should be as I wished, and ordered the man to expedite the business. As she was unwell, she did not leave her room through the day, and I had an opportunity of conversing much with her Among other things she asked me what Mr. Judson had come to this country for? Before I had time to answer, an elderly woman present, with whom I had had considerable conversation, on our object in coming to this country, replied, that Mr. Judson had come to tell the Burmans of the true God, &c; and went on and told her word for word all that had ever been said to her. The viceroy's wife then asked what was the difference between the God 1 worshipped and Gaudama. I had begun to tell her, when one of her people brought in a bag of silver. After she had given orders respecting the money, she wished me to proceed. I had but just begun a second time, when two or three members of government came in, and there it ended. My order was delivered me towards evening, and then I made her a present, and expressed the obligations I was under to her, and bid her good evening. When an order of this kind is procured by the under officers, it costs about 25 dollars, besides much trouble and perplexity.

"Thus, my dear parents, I have given you a general account of our circumstances for several months. I must now conclude, and prepare my letters to send to Calcutta by the present opportunity. Rest assured, that this letter leaves us in the enjoyment of more comfortable circumstances than we have ever experienced in this place. We hope we do enjoy religion at times, and the presence of God; but we need much more grace, much more humility and devotedness to the cause of God. Do not let a day pass without praying for us. Ever affectionately your daughter,

NANCY JUDSON."

We have the pleasure to announce not only that the printing press above mentioned has arrived at Rangoon, but that it is already in operation. A Tract written by Mr. Judson, and a Catechism for children by Mrs. Judson, have both been printed in the Burman language by Mr. Hough. Copies of them have been received, by the President of the Board. Thus the PRESS, that powerful engine employed by Providence in the propagation of truth, has been put in motion in this land of darkness. We.con

236 Letter from Mr. Judson, Missionary at Rangoon.

fidently hope that these first fruits of the mission, in giving light to them that sit in darkness, will be succeeded by a rich harvest of immortal souls -Editors.

MR. JUDSON TO DR. BALDWIN.

Rangoon, Feb. 10, 1817. Rev. and Dear Sir, I have just heard that a person whom we have sometime calculated on, as a letter carrier to Bengal, is unexpectedly going off in the course of an hour; have, therefore, time only to accompany the inclosed tracts with a line or two.

We have just begun to circulate these publications, and are praying that they may produce some inquiry among the natives.

And here comes a man this moment to talk about religion. What shall I do? I will give him a tract to keep him occupied a few moments while I finish this. There, my friend, sit down and read something that will carry you to heaven, if you believe and receive the glorious Saviour therein exhibited.

We are just entering on a small edition of Matthew, the translation of which I lately commenced. But we are in great want of men and money. Our hands are full from morning till night. I cannot, for my life, translate as fast as brother Hough will print. He has to do all the hard work in the printing-office, without a single assistant, and cannot therefore apply himself to the study of the language, as is desirable. As for me, I have not an hour to converse with the natives, or go out and make proclamation of the glorious gospel. In regard to money, we have drawn more from Bengal, than has been remitted from America; so that were it not for their truly brotherly kindness in honouring our bills on credit, we should actually starve. Moreover, an edition of five thousand of the New Testament, will cost us nearly five thousand dollars. And what are five thousand among a population of seventeen millions, five millions of whom can read? Oh, that all the members of the Baptist Convention could live in Rangoon one month! Will the Christian world ever awake? Will means ever be used adequate to the necessities of the heathen world? O Lord, send help. Our waiting eyes are unto thee!

Your brother in the Lord,

JUVENILE DEPARTMENT.

SUNDAY MORNING.

A. JUDSON.

THAT is not likely to be a profitable Sabbath to any one, which is commenced without some suitable recollection of what day it is; some sincere desire to improve and to sanctify it. Our first waking thoughts should be thus consecrated; should thus take possession of the mind, and pre-occupy it, otherwise those of a worldly kind will soon flow in, so that if we do not our own works,' we shall think our own thoughts,' which is the same sin in the sight of God.

6

But there are many reflections (besides those more obvious ones,

which are familiar to every serious mind), that may be suggested to us by Sunday morning. Let us indulge them for a while. This Sabbath dawns not on ourselves alone, but also on the millions of our favoured land. Inviting all to forget the six days, in which they have laboured and done all their work, and to remember this, and keep it holy. Alas! how vain the summons to multitudes. We see that the world still dieth in wickedness,' in no respect more strikingly, than by the total neglect of this day in numberless instances; and the very mistaken and partial observance of it in many more. It is melancholy to reflect, on the thousands who welcome it only as a day of indulgence, idleness or amusement. The Sabbath sun, which ought to arouse them betimes to the sacred duties of the day, does but witness their longer indulgence. How many who rise early and sit up late,' on other days, to attend diligently to their worldly affairs, when they awake and recollect that it is Sunday, resolve 'to have a little more sleep and a little more slumper, a little more folding of the hands to sleep.'

And when at last they arise, if they do not allow themselves to engage in the business of other days, they do but fill up the heavy bours in the meanest indulgences, in the preparation or enjoyment of a luxurious meal, in the most trifling occupations, or in absolute idleness. What can be a more melancholy sight, than that of such a wretched, ill ordered family, thus wasting the sacred hours that others are spending in the house of God.

Others rise early, indeed, but it is only in order to lengthen their holiday. How many such are now preparing to profane the Sabbath of the Lord. How are the roads and fields, in almost every part of our beautiful country, disfigured by these unhallowed visitants! How are our streets thronged with Sabbath breakers! The doors of the houses of God are thrown wide open, and they would be welcome as well as others. "Is it nothing to you, ye that pass by!" Ah! in vain is the affectionate, invitation! They do but despise it, and pass on, resolved to have their pleasure, whatever be the consequence.

all

66

But there is a brighter view of Sunday morning, to which it is refreshing to turn. How many are there, who have said of it, early will I seek thee," and who, from their various and distant dwellings, have been at the same hour, seeking in their closets in secret, a blessing on this welcome Sabbath. Their united sup

plications, uttered in various accents, and rising from the obscure cottage, the darksome hovel, as well as from abodes of comfort and affluence, ascend together, as an acceptable morning sacrifice to the throne of grace.

Again, see from the streets and lanes, from the courts and alleys of our crowded cities; from our hamlets and villages, from our high-ways and hedges, what numbers of decent children now issue forth to their respective Sunday Schools! How many little feet are at the same moment pacing the streets on this blessed er rand! What an innumerable multitude that no man could num.

'