then pronounced us all as slaves of the King, and again ordered the guard to watch me closely, and departed. It was now near evening. With what anxiety I waited the return of our faithful Moung Ing, who had followed Mr. Judson at a short distance, to see what became of him! I had then no doubt but I could procure the release of Mr. J., (if he had not been executed,) by getting a petition presented to the Queen. But I was also a prisoner, and could not move out of the house. After dark, Moung Ing returned with the intelligence, that he saw Mr. J. conducted to the court house, thence to the death prison, the gates of which were closed, and he saw no more. What a night was now before me! The uncertainty of Mr. Judson's fate, my own unprotected situation, and the savage conduct of the ten Burmans, all conspired to make it the most dreadful night I had ever passed. I barred the doors, and retired with the four Burman children into the inner room. The guard were constantly ordering me to unbar the doors, and come out, as they could not be assured of my safety, if I remained within. They next threatened to go and inform the magistrate that I had secreted myself, and that they must not be blamed if I made my escape. Finding themselves unsuccessful in their demands, they took the two servants, and made their feet fast in the stocks, As I apparently took no notice of this, they ordered the stocks to be raised, which makes the situation of the person confined extremely painful. This I could not bear to see, and promised them all a present in the morning, if they would release the servants. The next morning I sent Moung Ing with a piece of silver, in order to gain admittance to the prison, to ascertain the real situation of Mr. Jadson. He soon returned with the information, that Mr. J., Dr. P., and the three Englishmen, were all confined in the inner prison, each with three pair of iron fetters, and fastened to a long pole. My only concern now was, how to get to the Governor of the city, who has the entire direction of prison affairs, in order to obtain, at least, a mitigation of the sufferings of the Missionaries. I sent a request to the Governor to allow me to visit him with a present. The next day I received an order, which was most readily obeyed, to visit him. My present gained me a favourable reception, and after listening attentively to my relation of the brutal manner of Mr. J.'s arrest, and bis present horrid situation, he manifested considerable feeling, severely reprimanded the writer, who allowed such treatment, and then assured me he would make the situation of the teachers more comfortable. He told me, however, that I must consult with his head writer respecting the means, and immediately called, and introduced him to me. I shuddered to look at the creature, for a more forbidding countenance was never before seen. All the evil passions of human nature seemed to have united in forming his face, and each seemed to be striving to gain the ascendancy. I found, to my sorrow, that, under the Governor, he had much to do with the prison, and had power to make us suffer much. He took me aside, told me, if I wished to make the situation of the Missionaries more tolerable, I must bring him two hundred tickals, and two pieces of fine cloth, on the reception of which, he would release Dr. Price and Mr. Judson from the pole, and put them in another building, where I should be allowed to send them pillows and mats to sleep on, and their daily food. At the same time, I obtained an order from the Governor for an interview with Mr. J., and, for the first time in my life, looked into the interior of a Burman prison. The wretched and ghastly appearance of the Missionaries produced feelings indescribable, and forbad a moment's hesitation in producing the sum demanded for temporary relief. Mr. J. was allowed to hobble to the door of the prison, and after five minutes' conversation, I was ordered to depart, by a voice and manner to which I had been unaccustomed, and which convinced me, that those underlings felt that we were entirely in their power. Our house was two miles from the prison; and knowing that nothing could be done without money, I had provided myself with a considerable sum in the morning, which enabled me to pay the two hundred tickals without delay, and the same evening I had the consolation of hearing that Mr. J. and Dr. P. were in a better prison than I had found them. My next object was to get a petition presented to the Queen, the brother of whom is by far the most powerful man in the empire. Our situation as prisoners rendered a personal interview with the Queen impossible: I was obliged, therefore, to address her through the medium of her brother's wife, who, as are all the relations of the Queen, is of low origin, and consequently proud, haughty, and ambitious. I had visited her in better days, and received distinguished marks of her favour. But now the scene was changed, Mr. J. was in irons, and 1 in distress, which were reasons sufficient for a frigid reception. I took with me a valuable present, consisting of a gold-wrought mantle, and other little trappings. Her ladyship was lolling in state, and hardly deigned to raise her eyes, on my entrance into her splendid hall. I took my seat, not at a respectful distance, nor at her bidding, but as near as I could well approach, that she might not lose a syllable of what I had to communicate. I waited not for the question usually asked, "what do you want?" grief mado me hold-I at once began a re lation of our wrongs. I stated to her that | J.'s, which had been out of use for a long Dr. Price and Mr. Judson were Americans, time, but which answered their purpose just that they were ministers of religion, that as well, and was the means of preserving a they had nothing to do with war or good one I had then about are. "Where politics, and that she well knew that even are your goods, your pieces of muslin, their residence in Ava was in consequence handkerchiefs, &c.""Mr. Judson is no of the King's command. In vain I strove merchant, neither buys nor sells, bat to work on her hardened feelings, by request-subsists on the free offerings of the disciples ing her to imagine herself in my situation, a of Christ, who collected the money you stranger in a foreign land, and deprived of have just taken to build a church for the the protection of an only friend, who, with- preaching of the Gospel. Is it suitable to out any alleged erime, was thrown into take the property of a Pongyee?" (priest). prison and fetters. She unfolded the present, "It is contrary to our wishes," said Koungand coolly said, "your case is not singular, tong, "but we act in obedience to the King's the other white prisoners suffer equally with command." Our trunks of wearing apparel your husband; I will, however, present your were then examined. I begged they would petition to her Majesty, the Queen: come not take them, as they could be of no use to again to-morrow." I went from her with a the King, but to us they were invaluable. They little hope, and faint as it was, I endeavoured said, a list only should be taken, and preto communicate the same to Mr. J., but my sented to his Majesty, when, if he gave no admittance was strictly forbidden by the farther order, they should remain. They writer to whom I had given the two hundred did the same with regard to the books, tickals, and to whom we, in future, gave the medicine, and most of the furniture, and on name of shark. The next morning I saw presenting the list to the King, he gave an three of the King's officers pass, and was in- order that these articles should not be taken formed they had gone to take possession of at present. These gentlemen, however, Mr. Gouger's property, and that on the mor- took every thing new or curious, and whatrow our houses would be searched. I spent ever to them seemed valuable. When they the day, therefore, in making preparations had finished, I gave them tea, and begged to receive them, arranging and secreting as the royal treasurer to intercede for the remany articles as possible, knowing that we lease of Mr. Judson. After their departure, should be in a state of starvation unless some I had an opportunity of going again to the of our property could be preserved. I again Queen's sister-in-law, who informed me, that endeavoured to gain admittance to Mr. Jud-she had presented my petition to the Queen, son, but was refused. The three officers and that her reply was, "he is not to be who had taken possession, the day before, of executed, let him remain where he is."-I Mr. Googer's property, now came to take felt now ready to sink down in despair, as an account of ours. Among the three was there was then no hope of Mr. J.'s release one named Koung-tong-myoo tsa, who seemed from any other quarter; bat a recollection of to take an interest in my forlorn situation, and the Judge in the parable, who, though he who prevented the others from taking many feared not God, nor regarded man, was articles, which were afterwards, during our moved by the importunities of a widow, inlong trial, of the greatest use. They first duced me to resolve to continue my visits, demanded my silver, gold, and jewels. I until the object was obtained. But here, also, replied, "that gold I had none, jewels I had I was disappointed; for after my entreatnever worn since my residence in their ing her many times to use her influence in country, but here was the key of a trunk obtaining the release of the Missionaries, she which contained the silver; open and look became so irritated at my perseverance, that for themselves." They seemed pleased with she refused to answer my questions, and my offering them the key, requested I would told me by her looks and motions, that it open the trunk, and that only one person would be dangerous to make any further should be allowed to enter my inner-room to effort. take an account of the property. And here justice obliges me to say, that the conduct of these Burman officers in this transaction, was more humane and civilized than any other we witnessed while in Ava. The silver was weighed and laid aside. "Have you no more?" said one of them. "Search for yourselves," replied I, "the house is at your disposal." Have you not deposited money and jewels in the hands of others?"-"I have no friends in this country: with whom should I deposit treasure;"-" Where is your watch?" I produced an old one of Mr. (To be concluded in our next.) JAMAICA. By referring to the list of Contributions. at the close of our present number, it will be seen that the amount which was solicited towards the expence of fitting up the premises at Montego Bay, so as to reuder them convenient for public worship, has been sub scribed. Indeed, the prompt and liberal generosity of our Christian Friends, has gone somewhat beyond the sum we ventured to ask; and this trifling excess will of course, by so much, lessen the amount to be raised by the negro congregation, for whom it will be a very severe exertion to furnish the remainder. The Committee feel themselves bound, on this gratifying occasion, to renew the tender of their cordial and respectful thanks to those numerous individuals, both in and out of their immediate connexion, who have taken part in this good work. May this freewill offering (for such it has eminently been) be graciously accepted by our common Lord, and in its results, greatly promote his glory! In the course of correspondence on this subject, some generous fellow-labourers, remarking the peculiar interest felt in many quarters for the West India branch of our mission, have suggested the propriety of opening a fund specifically for that object. Other Jamaica stations, it has been justly said, need places of worship, nearly, if not quite as much as Montego Bay; and several most promising scenes of labour are now before the Committee, where missionaries have long been most urgently solicited, but hitherto in vain. The Committee are fully sensible of the force of these observations, and have felt much concern that prior, and very important claims in the Eastern world have rendered it impossible for them to follow up, more closely, the footsteps of Providence in regard to the West. Whatever, from the fund for general purposes, they could do, they have always most cheerfully done: but this is very inadequate to the wants of Jamaica, and therefore they announce most readily their compliance with the suggestions with which they have been favoured, and their willingness to receive any contributions which donors may feel inclined to make specifically for the "West India Fund." They do this, in the full persuasion that HOME PROCEEDINGS. BATH AND BRISTOL Auxiliary Baptist Missionary Society. THE Eighth Annual Meeting of this Society was held in Bristol, on Tuesday, the 31st of October, and three following days. On Tuesday Evening, the Rev. John Dyer, Secretary, of the Parent Society, delivered a Discourse from Isaiah xl. 4, 5. On Wednesday Evening, November the 1st, the Rev. Dr. Cox, of Hackney, preached a Sermon, at Broadmead, from Luke ix. 56, "For the son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." In which, after referring to the origin, and tracing the the Doctor drew a very lively and striking progress of Polytheism and Mahomedanism, contrast, between the horrid degradation and destruction of life temporal and spiritual by which those systems have ever been attended, and the peaceful, benevolent, and elevatand immortality have been brought to light; ing precepts of that gospel, by which life concluding with a strong and animated appeal to his audience as men and as christians; fellow labourers with him who came to seek calling upon them to exert themselves as and to save that which was lost, and who finally died that we might live. the Rev. Robert Hall, preached at the Rev. On Thursday Morning, December the 2nd, Mr. Cowan's Chapel, Great George Street, from Isaiah ii. 18, "The idols he shall utterly abolish." The principal scope of this master ly discourse was to exhibit the foul enormity of idol worship, both as an offence against the majesty of Heaven, and as inflicting the most dreadful injuries on mankind; and we think it may safely be affirmed that no individual who listened to tho preacher would refuse to acknowledge that, familiar as the subject may be thought, he never had so vivid a conception before of the nature and extent of this giant evil, and of the consequent felicity which will ensue when the prediction shall be fully verified. their friends will not allow such a notice to interfere with Contributions to the General Fund, already pledged to an extent equal to, if not beyond its amount. The "West India Fund" will be considered applicable, in the first instance, to the purpose of aiding in the erection of Chapels, which in several places the Society was held at the Baptist Chapel The same Evening, the Public Meeting of are most urgently needed; and then, gene-in King Street, John Phillips, Esq. of rally, to the increase of our stations in that Melksham, in the Chair. The meeting was quarter. most numerously attended, and perhaps more The usual interesting than any former one. Resolutions were moved and seconded by Rev. Messrs. W. Harvard, from Ceylon; the following ministers ;-Rev. Dr. Cox, Lucy, of Bristol; H. Townley and Eustace Carey, from Calcutta'; Dr. Marshman, from Exchequer bills to the amount of £900 have already been purchased on account of Montego Bay; and a quantity of bricks are now in course of shipment, for which freight has been secured on very advantageous terms; an arrangement which will effect a "material diminution of expense. Serampore; Dyer. Secretary of the Parent On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday in Society; Leifchild and Cowan, of Bristol. the following week, similar meetings were On Friday Evening, the Rev. Dr. Marsh-held in Bath. The Rev. Dr. Marshman, man preached at King Street Meeting, from Rev. R. Hall, and Rev. E. Carey preached; Psalm lxvii. 1, 2; and on Sunday after- and the Rev. T. Roberts filled the chair at noon, November 5th, Dr. Cox again the public meeting. The meetings at this preached at Broadmead, from Luke x. 20, place were likewise equally interesting and which closed the anniversary in Bristol. unanimous. The attendance at all the meetings was very oheering, and the collections were very liberal. Belfast, Juvenile Society, by Mr. Houston, Yarmouth, (Norfolk) Collection, by the Rev. E. Goymer Olney, ditto, by Mr. Wilson Portsea, Auxiliary Society, Collections, &c., by Mr. Ellyett, Treasurer.... 108 10 Broughton, (Hants) Collection, by the Rev. H. Russell, *Essex, Auxiliary Society, by the Rev. J. Wilkinson : Contributions received on account of the Baptist Missionary Society, from October 20, to November 20, 1826, not including individual Subscriptions. FOR THE MISSION. Hackleton, Collections and Donations, by the Rev. W. Knowles £ S. d. 0 4 10 0 0 10 0 0 13 15 Langham 16 10 0 Harlow, (acknowledged last month) Bath and Bristol, Auxiliary Society, by Mr. John Daniell, junr. 1026000 1 2 6 7 9 5 13 2 0 31 8 3 Hull and East Riding, Auxiliary, by John Thornton, Esq. Treasurer: 17 14 0 Hull... Ross, Subscriptions, &c., by Mr. J. Lewis Exeter, ditto, and Auxiliary Society, by the Rev. S. Kilpin. Tetbury, Collection, &c., by Miss M. Overbury. Bromyard, Collected by Miss A. C. Hopkins.... Dunstable and Houghton, Penny Society, by Mr. Watts Shortwood, near Nailsworth, Collection and Subscription, by Mr. Heskins 6 4103000 613 20 0 6 4 10 9 These sums would have been remitted before, but the Treasurer has been waiting for other contributions which have not yet been received. |