three of our best inquirers. They were attentive in every stage of the discourse; and, at the close, asked many questions, which indicates a desire to know clearly the way of life. I am more than ever convinced that the simple exhibition of the Gospel of Christ, however foolish and inefficient in the eyes of the world, is the sure way to the heart of man, and the all-powerful weapon which awakens those who are dead in trespasses and sins. "Pity the nations, O our God; Constrain the earth to come! And bring the stranger home." The Monthly Concert. city forty miles northeast of Ava, called, and made the following statement:-About two or three months ago, one of their neighbors was in Ava; and, hearing that there was a foreigner who taught a new religion, and gave sacred books to the people, he called and obtained a book, which, on returning home, was read by all the neighbors. The husbands of these females were so interested in what they read, that they had sent their wives in search for more books. I read passages from the View, and explained on the character of that God who made all things, and on the nature of that atonement which saves the soul from hell, and secures the blessings of endless life. Nothing could exceed the interest which they appeared to take in these truths, all new and wonderful to their dark minds. I should be glad to 3. Held our Monthly Concert for visit neighboring towns, and preach prayer, this morning before sunChrist and him crucified to the peo- rise. Bro. Cutter prayed in English, ple; but this timid, jealous Govern- and four prayed in Burman. I bement would be alarmed at once, and lieve we all enjoyed the season, but infer that some plot was being laid we do not feel as we ought. We to overthrow the government of the are too much looking for a distant empire. If there is no absolute in- day, for the fulfilment of the great terdict laid, I shall rejoice; for, in a and precious promises relative to the quiet way, much may be done to- glory of Christ's kingdom. We are wards undermining the foundations on heathen ground: we are in a of idolatry. Public opinion is evi- great city madly devoted to idolatry, dently setting in against idol worship. and therefore ought to feel more for Its folly, its downright stupidity is our neighbors, the heathen, than so much felt, that intelligent Bur- Christians do at home. mans, who have read our books, will enough to soften the hardest heart. not undertake its defence. Illustra- While I write, from my window, I tive of this fact, I will mention a see a long train of well-dressed peocircumstance which occurred a few ple repairing to a temple, a few steps days ago. The chief Secretary of east of our house. All have somethe Mekera prince hearing me remark thing for an offering. Some have on the blindness and folly of man- cakes, others fruit, others boiled kind, in making idols and worship-rice, others flowers, and some have ping them, while the God who made all things, was forgotten, quickly replied, that he did not worship idols, and that such worship was only fit for stupid people. Such remarks are often made by persons among the higher class of society. Encouragements. March 2. Twenty-one Burmans at worship this morning, besides several children. Among them were We see only a pitcher of water, a brush, or fan, or a little gilt paper. Within the recesses of this temple, is one huge, and many small idols. Here they pour out their offerings, pros trate themselves in the most humble manner, and utter long and unintelligible prayers. Once, such an exhibition shocked me: while looking, I could hardly believe my own senses; but now, I often feel more This is pity. indignation than I desire to feel more comwrong. passion for these poor deluded beings. I think I understand the meaning of that command, "Preach the truth in love." How necessary, how reasonable, and yet how hard! Verandah Visiters. 10. Among several visiters who called to-day, I was pleased with the appearance of one man, about forty years old. I may never have occasion to mention him again, yet I hope this is not the case. It seldom occurs that I meet with any thing new all opposers have one common track, which they pursue; and those who come professedly to listen, appear so much alike, that, to describe one, would be, in most cases, to describe all. Enlargement. For some time past, we have been enlarging the field of our labors; or rather, we have been endeavoring to preach the Gospel more extensively. Some days, we have had 200 or 900 hearers in two different zayats. 23. Several persons in the verandah, to-day, inquiring for books. I gave them the View and Sciences. They said, "We want the Balance and Investigator." I replied, "You cannot have the Investigator, because the Woongees are afraid of that book." It is clear to me that public opinion is setting in against idolatry. It is the Lord's doings, and it is marvellous in our eyes. Our assembly at worship, to-day, was as large as usual. Courage of Ko Gwa. April 6. Preached to an atten16. Had an assembly of 29 in the tive congregation, from these words, morning, and 27 in the evening. Light has come into the world; Three of our good inquirers were but men have loved darkness rather present. One of them is a Secreta- than light, because their deeds are ry, and has a title from the king; evil; neither will they come to the and the other is a man of considera-light, lest their deeds should be reble standing also. In the reign of proved." Ko Gwa and his wife, the old king, he held an office in the two of our inquirers, were present. palace. His wife, a female of pol- He made an explicit declaration of ished manners, appears to be drink- his faith in Christ, and asked for ing in the truth. These three, I baptism. In the course of examinatrust, are near the kingdom of God. tion, he was asked, "Are you ready I read the 8th chapter of Acts, and to suffer for the name of Christ?" explained on all the verses, from the He replied, "I know there is danger, 26th to the end. The words of the but I must be on the side of the Ethiopian, "I believe that Jesus eternal God." He further said, "For Christ is the Son of God"-made an a long time, I have been anxious to impression on their minds, just as be a disciple of Jesus Christ. we might expect. They said that know he saves from sin, and brings man received great light, because he those who believe to heaven." believed on the word of God.' I For some time past, we have felt 17. Have just taken into consid- that this man and his wife were trueration the propriety of locating our-ly born of the Spirit of God; thereselves on the bank of the river. The ill health of Mr. and Mrs. Cutter, and the approaching hot season, admonishes us to get out of the dust of the city, if possible. From past experience, I should think a situa- | tion just without the walls of the city, equally good for the dissemination of the Gospel, and far preferable, if we take into consideration the subject of health. fore it was with thanksgiving to God, that we extended to this man the hand of Christian fellowship. Ko Gwa reads the Scriptures incessantly; and, for some time past, he has daily instructed his household (15 or 16 in number) in the principles of the Christian religion, as far as his knowledge extends. Ko Shoon informs me, that the whole number are nominal Christians. bro. Judson to send him back, as soon as he has visited his family and friends. Visit to the King's Brothers. May 1. Called, this afternoon, on Prince S., the king's own brother. As is usual for him, he received us kindly. Mr. Cutter having never seen him before, he inquired who he was. I told him he was a religious printer. Fresh Triumph of the Cross. 13. Lord's-day morning had an assembly of 31, to whom I preached from these words.-"God sent not his Son into the world, to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved." The attention of my hearers was such as would have done honor to an American congregation. At the close, Moung Shway Nee came forward, and made the following declaration. About six "Did he come from Ameror seven months ago, Ko Shoon was ica, too?" "Yes." To which he preaching in his part of the city, gave a significant smile, and said, about God and the kingdom of heav-" You say you are not English: what en. He listened with amazement to is the difference between Americans the new things which he heard, and invited him to his house, to inquire more particularly about this religion. He immediately began to read; and, after five or six weeks, made me a visit. For two months past, he has fully believed that the eternal God is God, and that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, sent to open the way of life to mankind. He further added, "I wish to be baptized, that I may be a disciple of Jesus Christ; for he has taught me to discern between carnal and spiritual things." and English? Your religion and language are the same." "True; but your Highness will understand that the Governments are distinct. For instance, the Burmans ard Arracanese have the same religion, language, dress, and customs, yet they are different Governments." He turned off this subject, at once, and began to ask questions on Geography, and Astronomy; but he objected to every statement, on the ground, that it was in opposition to their sacred books. After spending an The Gospel of Christ triumphs. hour, we took leave, and called on Here is a man of learning, of first- Prince M., confessedly the most rate talents, one who has always learned and accomplished man in moved among the higher classes of the empire. He is eager in the acquisociety. He sat down to the read-sition of knowledge—always asking ing of the Scriptures; and, after an numberless questions on scientific impartial investigation of six months, subjects, and generally manifests a he renounced the religion of his good deal of interest on the subject country, and embraced the Gospel of religion. This evening, he exof our Lord Jesus Christ. He says pressed his thankfulness for two or his mind was dark till he read that three scientific books which I gave passage "The Word was made him some months ago. He said he flesh, and dwelt among us; and we had read them with great interest, behold his glory, the glory as of the because he found them more plain only begotten of the Father, full of and intelligible than any thing of grace and truth." The mediation of the kind he had ever seen before. Christ, and the expiatory sacrifice He was delighted with the list of he made on the cross, filled his mind precious stones, ores, minerals, &c., with new and sublime conceptions and their various properties, uses, of the divine character. Our prayer and relative value, also with the speis, that God would make him a pol- cific gravity of each other. After a ished shaft, in working the redemp-little conversation of this kind, he intion of this empire. Major Burney and lady have taken their final leave of Ava. Ko Shoon, my valuable assistant, has gone down to Maulmein. I have written to quired about the doctrine of the trinity, and said it was a subject he could not comprehend. I told him every attribute of the Deity was incomprehensible, yet we dare not say all of our conversation, no allusion was made to our late controversy in the Palace.* We then called on the City Governor, the Governor of the North Palace, and a few others. The conversation was mostly on religious subjects, and, without an exception, all treated us in the most friendly manner. that boundless power was an absurd- obliging, and more than usually atity, because we could not coinpre- tentive to our accommodation. In hend the infinity of space, and the boundless diversity of operations over which this attribute of the eternal God is employed. In the Holy Scriptures, we are taught that the Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Spirit is God, and yet these three are one eternal God. This subject exceeds the reason of man, like every thing else which pertains to the perfection and majesty of Jehovah. The Prince then inquired, "Why do you immerse people in the water?" "It is the command of God, that those who, believing in Jesus Christ, forsaking their sins, and walking according to the divine commandments, should be admitted to the privilege of disciples, by being immersed in the water." Do not the Papists sprinkle? and why do they not immerse?" "The religion of the Pope and the religion of Jesus May 8th. During an excursion Christ are entirely different. The through the western part of the religion of the Pope is made up of the traditions of men;-that taught by Jesus Christ is all divine. Your highness knows that the Papists bow down, and worship idols, the same as all nations who have not the word of God." The Prince then said, "A man tells you he believes: how do you know he believes? How long before another fit of bigotry will come over this singular Government, no one can venture to predict. We may be permitted to go on in our labors for months without any molestation, or we may be week. The arraigned within a only proper course appears to be, to take advantage of every sunny season, and scatter abroad as widely as possible the incorruptible seed, which, with the Divine blessing will yield a rich harvest, in days to come. city, I sat down in the veranda of a cabinet-maker's shop; began conversation with him on religion, and soon found myself surrounded by an interesting group of people. With one or two exceptions, the whole assembly remained silent and attentive, for more than an hour. I read "A man to them part of the Balance, and when I had finished my discourse, some of the more intelligent rehearsed and explained the subject for a long time to others. who believes in Jesus Christ, rejects the traditions of men, receives the doctrine, and obeys the precepts of Christ." Many other questions, tending to the same end, (the development of the Christian religion,) were asked by the Prince; and the auswers given were listened to with much apparent attention. In the close, he expressed a wish to see the press in operation; and, for that purpose, proposed a large court in one part of his palace, where the press and its appendages could be placed; but, when informed of its size and weight, he relinquished the plan, and requested Mr. Cutter to send him a handful of the type. Other Calls. May 24. Called to-day on the Ma-wa-de Woon Gee. He was very May 11. The Lord's-day has brought together all the disciples. From "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's-day," I preached on the observance of the Christian Sabbath. An Anti-Mission Man. May 18. For some days past the number of visiters, at the house, has been on the increase. Ko San-lone often meets with promising inquirers in various parts of the city. For two days past we have had a valiant opposer-he is a learned man, and takes the ground that all religions are the *See an account of this in our last number, pp. 153-155. It took place about a month before. same in substance, and therefore to the midst of extremities, we have not propagate religion in a country been forsaken. Seven precious souls where the people are religious, is have believed and are now following cruel in the extreme-it unsettles in the footsteps of Christ. Several them in their ancient faith, disturbs thousand tracts and portions of the the peace of kingdoms, of families, Word of God have been put into the and individuals. hands of inquiring people; all classes, from the Royal family, down, have seen and read the word which brings life and immortality to light. Execution of Robbers. May 26. The execution of 9 rob bers but a little distance from our house, drew together an immense crowd of people. These robbers sat in a row on the ground, about 3 feet apart, their hands were tied behind them, and the jailors (or, as the scriptures aptly describes them, the tormentors,)20 in number were walking about with their glittering axes, apparently enjoying the occasion. They were more than 3 hours in this situation. Most of the prisoners spent their time in talking, laughing, and making sport of death; there were however two or three excep tions. I feel that a branch of the mission is now established in Ava, though the heathen rage; though the people imagine a vain thing; yet the Lord sitteth in the heavens, and he will do all his will. MR. KINCAID TO DR. BOLLES. My plan of proceeding is the same now as that which I adopted on my first arrival in Ava; that is, preach every Sabbath, and every evening, at candle-lighting; during the day In most cases, one stroke of the converse with all who call at the axe severed the head from the body. | house. Ko San-loon, and Ko Kai, It is a horrible sight to see so many go about the city, and preach, someheadless bodies scattered over the times in private houses, sometimes ground, and so many heads with the in temples, and sometimes in zayats mouth stretched open, and stakes-occasionally we visit Umumeradriven through the head into the pora and Sagaing. We have just ground. These bodies and heads are to be exposed three days. May 29. One of our old inquirers spent much time in listening to the way of life, and acknowledged that he believed in Christ. We hope he has a little of that faith which works by love, and purifies the heart. Review of the Ava Mission. June 1. Had an assembly of 31 in the morning, and preached from these words, "He that believeth in the Son of God, hath the witness in himself; and he that believeth not God, hath made him a liar." Just one year since we come under the walls of the Golden City. How rapidly the time has passed! another year less remains. received nearly 8 thousand books, and tracts, including a few copies of the New Testament bound. This is a timely supply, as all our best tracts were out. In the school department Mrs. Kincaid takes charge of the scholars one day, and Mrs. Cutter the next. Some of them can read quite well, can repeat the catechism, Lord's prayer, and commandments; others are just learning to read, and others are at the spelling-book. I am happy to say that three of the girls appear quite serious. The establishment of the press in Ava, appears to be making a good impression on the public mind-it brings us more prominently before the Government and people, and On reviewing the occurrences of serves to stamp with more importhe past year, we find abundant rea- tance the cause which we advocate. son to bless God. We have been I beg to be kindly remembered to led in paths that we knew not. In the members of the Board, and to |