ed. It was now reported that the foreign | nicate, and that he was uncommonly kind and troops had reached Danooboo, and whisper- obliging. He had detained me a long time, ed about that Bundoolah was dead! No one when a servant came in hastily and whisperat first ventured to say it openly, but the re-ed, that the foreign prisoners had all been port was soon conveyed officially to his Ma- taken out, and he knew not where they were jesty, who was mute with disappointment, carried. Without speaking to the Goverwhile the Queen smote her breast and ex-nor, I ran down the stairs into the street, claimed, “Ama, ama!" What was to be hoping to catch a sight of them, but they done now? Where could another general be were beyond the reach of my eye. I enfound? and from what quarter could troops quired of all I met, which way the white pribe raised? The Prince and Woon-gyees at soners were gone, but no one knew. I rethe Burmese camp had intimated the neces- turned again to the Governor, who declared sity of making peace; but this was too he was perfectly ignorant of their fate, and humiliating to be thought of for a moment: that he did not know of their being taken "What," said one of the Woon-gyees at out of prison till a few moments before. court, "shall we allow it to be recorded in This was all false, as he had evidently been a future history of the country, that our glo- detaining me to prevent my witnessing the rious King made peace with strangers, and scene that was to follow. He also said, with gave them part of his territory? No, we a meaning countenance, "You can do no will all die first." The Pagan Woon-gyee, more for your husband-take care of yourwho had been in disgrace for some time, and self." This was a day never to be forgotten. had even been in prison in three pair of fet- I retired to my little bamboo house, and enters, now thought it a good opportunity to deavoured to obtain comfort from the only retrieve his character and regain his influ- true source; but my mind was in such a ence. He petitioned his Majesty to allow distracted state, that I could not steadily him to go at the head of a new crmy, and reflect on any thing. This one thought ocpositively assured the king, that he could cupied my mind to the exclusion of every conquer the English and drive them from other, that I had seen Mr. Judson for the Burmah. He was immediately raised to the last time, and that he was probably now in highest rank, and all power committed to a state of extreme suffering. In the evenhim. His first object was to manifest his ing I heard the prisoners were sent to Umeinveterate hatred to every foreigner; and rapoorah, but what was to be their fate was those who had for eleven months escaped not yet known. The next day I obtained a confinement now fell into his merciless hands, pass from government to follow Mr. Judson and were thrown into prison. Among the with my little Maria, who was then only number was Mr. Lonsago, a Spanish gentle- three months old, and, with one Bengalee man, who had for twenty years been high in servant, set out on my journey. We reachthe King's favour, and had done all in his ed the government house at Umerapoorah, power to alleviate the sufferings of the fo- and were informed, the prisoners had been reign prisoners; but he was now among sent off two hours before to Oung-pen-lay them. Mr. Judson had now been in close (a place similar to Botany Bay), whither I confinement, and in five pair of fetters, for a immediately followed. I found Mr. J. in a mouth, and with anguish indescribable I saw most wretched state. He had been dragged him sinking under the weight of suffering. out of his little room the day before, his He was taken with a high fever. My dis- shoes,bat,and clothes, excepting shirt and pantress and entreaties now prevailed with the taloons, had been taken from him, and in his Governor of the city to give a written order, feeble state of health, and in the hottest part to remove Mr. J. from the common prison of the day, been literally driven ten miles into a little bamboo room, six feet long and with a rope tied round his waist. His feet four wide. I also obtained an order for li- were torn in such a manner, that for six berty to give him medicine and visit him weeks he was unable to stand. He was whenever I wished. I had removed into nearly exhausted with pain and fatigue, when the Governor's compound, and was living in a servant of Mr. G.'s, who had followed his a bamboo house, where the thermometer master, took from his head his turban, and daily rose to 106; but thought myself hap gave part of it to Mr. J., who hastily wrappily situated to be near the prison, and al-ped it about his feet, which enabled him to lowed to visit Mr. J., who began now to hope he should recover from the fever, as his situation was so much better than before. But new and dreadful trials were yet before us. I had gone in one morning to give Mr. J. his breakfast, and intended spending a few hours as usual, when the Governor in great haste sent for me. I was agreeably disappointed, on appearing before him, to find he had nothing in particular to commu proceed without sinking. He and Dr. Price were now chained together, and, with the other prisoners, put inside of a small wood prison almost gone to decay. We afterwards were informed that the Pagan Woon had sent the foreigners to this place with a design to sacrifice them, in order to ensure success in his contemplated expedition. But the King, suspecting him of treasonable intentions, caused him to be executed before express a wish to leave the country, fearing we should be immediately sent to prison. Mr. J. communicated our real situation to the General, who, with all the feelings of a British officer, now demanded us in a way that his Majesty dared not refuse; and on the 21st of February, after an imprisonment of nearly two years, we took our leave of the golden city and all its magnificence, and turned our faces towards the British camp, then within forty miles of Ava. No one can conceive our joy when we had safely passed the Burman camp, for then we felt indeed that we were once more free, and out of the power of those "whose tender mercies are cruel." The British General received us with all that kindness and hospitality for which your countrymen are so far famed, provided us with every comfort during a fortnight's residence at the camp, and kindly sent us on to Rangoon in his gun-boat. We deeply feel the kindness of Sir Archibald Campbell, for, under the direction of Providence, he has been the means of delivering us from the iron grasp of the Burmans. May God reward him an hundred fold, and prepare him for the future enjoyment of Heaven!" HOME PROCEEDINGS. se had time to accomplish his designs. I obtained a little room from one of the jailers, where I passed six months of constant and severe suffering, without any mitigation. Mr. J. was much more comfortably situated than when in the city prison, as he had only one pair of fetters, and, when recovered from his fever and wounds, was allowed to walk in the prison enclosure. But I was deprived of every single convenience, my health, which had enabled me to bear severe trials bitherto, now began to fail me. I was taken with one of the country disorders, and for two months unable to go to Mr. J.'s prison. Our little Maria, who had just recovered from the small pox, was near starving to death, as I could neither obtain a nurse or a drop of milk in the village. But our merciful Father preserved us all through these dreadful scenes, and at the expiration of six months an order arrived for the release of Mr. J., and I was allowed to return to our house in town. The King was much in want of an interpreter, and from selfish motives had given orders for the release of Mr. Judson, who was immediately conducted to the Burmese camp, then at Ma-lown, where he remained six weeks, translating for his Majesty. He was then sent back to Ava, and, as a reward for his services, ordered back to the Oung-pen-la prison. But before the order could be executed, I sent Moung Ing (being myself unable to move, having been ill with the typhus fever in Mr. J.'s absence, in which I lost my reason, and was senseless several days) to Koung-tong, who was now bigh in office, and had for a long time manifested a disposition to help us, and begged be would intercede for Mr. J., and pre-large Congregation assembled on the occavent his being sent again to prison. Koung- sion, and listened with deep attention to the tong complied with my request, offered to proceedings. After prayer by the Rev. J. become security for Mr.J., and took him to his Wheeler, of Bugbrook; the Rev. B. L. Edhouse, where he was kept a prisoner at large wards, (Independent Minister of the Town), nearly two months longer. The British troops was called to the Chair. The Secretary, were now so rapidly advancing, that the King the Rev. W. Gray, read the Report, and and Government felt the necessity of taking interesting speeches and statements were some measures to prevent their arrival at the given by the Rev. Messrs. Gill, (Wescapital. They had before several times re- leyan), John Simmons, Joseph Clark, R. fused to listen to the terms which Sir Archi- Breeze, F. Wheeler, T. Bond, (Wesleyan), bald Campbell had offered, but they now Joseph Simmons, Robert Clark, W. Knowles, saw there was no other hope for the preser- and T. Wake. Including 101. given in the vation of their golden city. Mr. J. was course of the year by a Friend and already daily called to the palace, his opinion re- acknowledged in the Herald, this Society quested in all their proceedings, and the Go- has raised 1007. in aid of the funds of the vernment finally entreated him to go as their Parent Institution. Of this sum, more than Ambassador to the English camp. This he 601. has been realized by weekly contribuentirely declined, but advised their sending tions, in which the females and youth as well Dr. Price, who had no objection to going. as the brethren belonging to the CongregaDr. P. being unsuccessful in his mission, on tion have taken an active part; and we are his return Mr. J. was taken by force and much gratified to mention that the Contribusent with him again. Sir Archibald had, tions of the young are exclusively to be apbefore this, demanded us, together with the propriated to the establishment and support other foreign prisoners, but the King had of a school in India, to be denominated the refused, saying, "They are my people-let Northampton School. them remain." We did not then venture to NORTHAMPTON. ON Monday Evening, January 8th, the W. G. Contributions received on account of the Baptist Missionary Society, from December 20 to January 20, 1826, not including individual Subscriptions. FOR THE MISSION. Oakingham, Subscriptions and Collection, by the Rev. J. Coles Bacup, Subscriptions, &c. at Irwell Terrace, by the Rev. F.W. Dyer. .... West Riding Auxiliary Society, by M. Thackrey, Esq. : 36 16 8 0 Leeds (including 71. 1s. 6d. for Female Education).. 46 15 .... Newbury, Collection and Subscriptions, by the Rev. T. Welsh.... Devizes Bratton ...... ... 10 0 0 Bristol and Bath Auxiliary Society, by John Hart, Esq. Treasurer cation).. Fenny Stratford, collected by Mr. W. Harris Bratton, Weekly Subscriptions, by the Rev. R. Edminson.. Westbury Leigh, Collection and Subscriptions, by the Rev. T. Gough.. 151. for Cardiff Female School).. Chester, collected by Mrs. London Stracy Stratford, Walgrave, and Kingsthorpe, by the Rev. W. Gray Rev. Robert Edminson, Bratton... P. L. by the Secretary Joseph Jewell, Esq. Bow, by Dr. Newman 150 Amount already acknowledged... Boroughbridge, Friends, by the Rev. John Crook..... Peckham, Mrs. Cattley and Friends, by Mr. G. Thorowgood Dersingham and West Newton (Norfolk) by Mr. F. Clowes.. TO CORRESPONDENTS. The thanks of the Committee are returned to Mr. Phillips, of Dulwich, for a parcel of Magazines. Our friends at Southampton and Bewdley are informed that the house mentioned in their communications have, for several months past, declined forwarding any country parcels. It is hoped, therefore, they will be able to discover some other channel of conveyance. The box from Cornwall, sent from A. P.W. has been received, and the donor is thanked for the articles which it contained, which will probably be found useful for some of our Missionary Students. The parcel for Mr. Burls was immediately forwarded. Littlewood and Green, Printers, 15, Old Bailey. BAPTIST MAGAZINE. MARCH, 1827. MEMOIR OF THE REV. THOMAS BALD- IN our number for February, 1826, the death Dr. Baldwin was briefly noticed; and at the same time we announced our intention to furnish a memoir of his life as soon as the requisite materials reached us. We are happy in being now able to fulfil our engagement. For the information contained in the following pages we are indebted to the American Baptist Magazine. The Rev. Thomas Baldwin was born in Bozrah, Connecticut, Dec. 23, 1753, and was the only son of Thomas and Mary Baldwin, both natives of the same place. Of the early history of his family, but little is known. It may, however, be observed, that his father was attached to the military service, and rose to distinction in the then Colonial army. He died whilst his son was an infant. childhood. So far as any thing, however, can be known, the traits of character for which he was in manhood remarkable were very early developed. From very infancy, his temper was noticed for its unruffled serenity. His mother used to observe, that never did she but in one single instance, know him to betray any signs of impatience; and when on this occasion she expressed her surprise, he instantly replied, "Mother, I am not angry." He very early discovered a taste for reading. Not only did he devote every leisure moment to the improvement of his mind, but also consecrated to this object the hours of labour. Whenever his employments were of such a nature that one of his hands was disengaged, it was occupied with a book. By these habits of incessant application, he very early acquired a stock of valuable though miscellaneous information, which, combined with strong powers of original thinking, The family of his mother was re-seemed in youth to mark him out markable for talent. She was one for unusual eminence. of eleven sisters, all of whom were At this time, the advantages of distinguished for unusual acquire-education were much less extenments, and for powerful intellect. sively enjoyed in New-England She was also a woman of eminent than at present. Schools were more piety; and it is to her early in- rare, and the mode of instruction structions that the church of Christ palpably defective. As a proof of is indebted for much of the useful-this, it need only be remarked, that Bess of that son, whom from a child when Dr. Baldwin removed to Cashe brought up in the nurture and naan, N. H. where he afterwards admonition of the Lord. resided, he was generally selected on the Sabbath to read a sermon to the people who assembled for public worship, because he was the only young man in the town who It cannot be expected that much should be recollected of the early history of a man, who outlived so many of the companions of his VOL. II. 3d Series. H "In the year 1780, I have reason to hope I was brought to the saving knowledge of the truth. The methods by which this change was effected I will endeavour to state with as much particularity as may be in this place. was sufficiently educated to per-papers, contains so interesting an form this service acceptably. account of his conversion, call to When Dr. Baldwin was about the ministry, &c. that we cannot sixteen years of age, his mother, but gratify our readers by the inwho was now the second time sertion of the copious extracts married to a very worthy and pious given in the publication from which man by the name of Eames, re- this memoir is derived. moved to Canaan, New-Hampshire. He removed with the family; and this became for several years the place of his residence. The town was yet unsettled, and the waggons which transported their necessary baggage were the first that ever traversed the forest. Mr. Eames was by trade a blacksmith, and to this business, as is usual in the early periods of a settlement, he added another, that of a miller; and if we mistake not, that also of a carpenter. In these labours he was assisted by his step-son, who until his marriage lived constantly at home, enduring the hardships and sustaining the privations pecu-me of living without God and withliar to early settlers. At the age of twenty-two, on the 22d of September, 1775, he was married to Miss Ruth Huntingdon, of Norwich, Connecticut, with whom he was happily united until her death, Feb. 11, 1812. "Before I proceed, I would, however, just remark, that I have no reason to believe that I had ever been the subject of such religious impressions as many others have, during my early years. I had indeed a general conviction of the reality of revealed religion, and that I had no lot nor part in it. When, however, my conscience accused out hope in the world, I was usually able to pacify it by promises of future amendment, or by recurring to the plea of inability. Often when I had spent an evening until a late hour in mirth and dancing, when I came to lay my head upon my pilThe town of Canaan was rapidly low, the thought of sudden death peopled by emigrants from Con- would intrude into my mind. Such necticut and Massachusetts. Before questions as these would often he was thirty, Dr. Baldwin was force themselves upon me: What elected to represent it in the Gene-if you should die before morning?' ral Court. Of his reputation as a What if the judgment day should legislator we have no certain in- come? The answer was, I am formation. It is evident, however, unprepared for either.' These that his success was such as to thoughts at times caused me to gratify his constituents; for they weep freely. But perhaps when repeatedly re-elected him. If we the morning returned, all was formistake not, they did not cease to gotten. Although I resolved at choose him, until, feeling the im- some future time to be religious, portance of his ministerial labours, (for I supposed I could be religious he had decidedly expressed his at any time) yet I never fixed that determination to serve as a legis-time as near at hand. There allator no longer. A memoir of himself, written by Dr. Baldwin during the last years of his life, and found among his ways appeared some peculiar obstacles in the way, and some sinful propensities to be indulged, before I could think of being religious. |