EXTRACTS FROM A JOURNAL OF MESSRS.
CUTTER AND BROWN.

(Continued from p. 476, vol. 15.)

Ascent of the Irrawaddy from PromeTracts distributed—Inquirers at Yatt'haung.

Dec. 9, 1834. Passed no large places to-day, but several small villages, where we distributed 125 tracts and books.

ex. 1835. Stopped for the night at Myawadi,* containing about 100 houses. we gave 30 more.

us, and went into the streets, when we | country. He wants we should stop on were immediately surrounded on all our way down, and he thinks by that sides by applicants for books. We time his mind will be fully made up. were several times called in to read and His son, also, Moung T'hun-aung, an talk about the religion. Passing by a intelligent young man of 25 or 30 years house where a company of respectable of age, appeared exceedingly well, and people were gathered to hold a funeral, we have every reason to think is a real we had a good opportunity for proclaim- Christian. ing the news of salvation through a crucified Savior. Having arrested the attention of two or three, by reading in the Catechism, they all began to listen, and were very earnest for books. As we passed by the same place afterwards, we saw one of them, who appeared to be the head man, reading out of the Epistles, to the assembly. Many of the rulers appeared friendly, and received books. Found here the Blind Man, and Maung Kyuet, a government writer, who have been considered as hopeful inquirers, but they do not yet appear to be settled.

Gave away upwards of 400 tracts, and nearly 100 books at this place. About noon the large boat came up, when we took out a fresh supply, and crossed over to Yatt'haung. Here we found the people full as eager for tracts as at the former place. We gave away 500, making upwards of 1000 distributed at these two places, of which 150 were large books. Thanks to God for the encouragement which he has given us this day. From what we have seen, we have no doubt the tracts will be read with attention and reverence by many of these benighted heathen. Öh may the Holy Spirit accompany the word with saving energy to their souls. Divine truth has evidently begun to operate here; and although tracts have heretofore been several times largely distributed, yet through the over-ruling counsels of Providence, the rulers have as yet suffered the work to go on unmolested. This would be a good location for a missionary.

At Yatt'haung we found several hopeful inquirers. Among them is U Shyue-wa, the owner of a large black-smithing establishment, who is a man of considerable respectability and influence, and was formerly so eloquent an expounder of Gaudama's religion, as to be universally called by the title of S'haya-gyi, Great Teacher. He is now equally zealous in maintaining the religion of Jesus, and desires to be baptized, but has been so much connected with the government that he is fearful of what might be the consequences if he should at once come out openly and renounce the religion of the

13. This morning Ko Sanlone left us to return to Rangoon, having accompanied us as far as was expected when we set out. We feel sorry to part with him, though we can do much better without him now, than we could during the first part of our journey. We are now about 250 miles from Rangoon, this being considered half the distance to Ava. We have already disposed of the greater portion of our tracts, and probably a much larger quantity than we shall be able to distribute between here and Ava. We have found Ko Sanlone a very faithful preacher and tract distributer. He is remarkable for his prudence and meekness, in disputing with the advocates of idolatry, never provoking or triumphing over them, but winning his way to their hearts by kind words and soft speeches.

us

Went ashore at Myedheh, (Inland) which contains many splendid pagodas and monasteries, and about 300 houses. Gave 75 books and tracts at this place. Many were afraid to take the books. Arrived at night at Magyygan, (Tamarind Tank) containing 30 or 40 houses. The people were at first afraid of the tracts, but after proposing a great many cross-examining questions, and thoroughly, having found out to their satisfaction of what race and country we were, what good we expected to get by distributing the books, and finding that we were not emissaries sent out by the English king, they came to the conclusion that the books were very good, and were not satisfied till they Distributed had each obtained one. about 50 among the houses and boats.

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14. Crossed over to the western side, and gave away 75 tracts at Nyaungben, (Banyan Tree) and one two other small villages. On the east side we gave away 50 at Kanlha, (Beautiful Shore.) Came up to Kyaukkhyet, where at first the people all declined receiving tracts, but just as we were leaving the village, the head-man called us back for further explanation. Some of the people telling him that we were going round with the tracts for the sake of getting kutho, (merit,) he appeared very well satisfied, and had

no sooner taken a book than the inhabitants thronged us from all quarters. It is impossible to make these people believe that we give the books from any such motive as benevolence; they either suppose we have some political object in view, or else that we are in search of kutho. Gave here 4 books and 40 tracts.

Stopped at Engya, (Between the Ponds,) where we distributed 100 books and tracts. In the evening, quite a number collected round a fire which our boatmen had built on shore near the boat, and we talked and disputed with them till a late hour.

17. Passed one or two small villages, where we gave 30 tracts. Stopped for the night at Myengun, which contains about 500 houses. Went up and distributed 100 tracts before dark. Went again in the evening, there being a bright moon, and distributed upwards of 100 more.

18. Crossed over to the west side, and went with the assistants to Yuabuleh, (Pearl Village,) which lies some distance back from the river, and contains about 300 houses. Gave 100tracts and 30 books.

19. Came up to Yuathaya, (Pleasant Village,) of about 100 houses. The people were afraid to take any tracts. A little after sunrise we went over to a temporary market, which had been erected by a company of Shans, on the east side of the river. The men were mostly able to read Burman, and we gave them 10 or 12 books, which they will probably carry to a region where our tracts have not yet penetrated.

Arrived at Magwe, a place containing 3 or 400 houses, about three o'clock. Carried our tracts through the streets, but almost every one refused to take them, and several seemed disposed to be quite insulting. We gave away only 25 tracts to the people of the place, but distributed 75 among the boatmen who took them readily.

15. Went over to Enma, (Large Pond,) on the west side, where we distributed 150 tracts and books. On the east side, we gave 75 at the village of S'henbaung weh, (Elephant-boat Whirlpool). Came up to Menyua, (Chief's Village,) justas the sun was sinking behind the long range of mountains on the west, and the full moon, (which marks the principal worship-day of the Burmans,) was rising above the spires of the eastern pagodas. The scenery around was truly lovely, displaying in all its beauty and grandeur the workmanship of Him, whose hands framed these mountains, and poured out these rivers. But the distant music from Menyua, in honor of the worship-day, told us but too distinctly that, in this 20. Had no opportunity for distribbeautiful region, man had exchanged uting tracts to-day. Arrived about the true God his Maker for a false one; dark at Wetmasut, a small village of 50 had substituted, for the glory of the in-houses. This region is covered with corruptible Divinity, the image of a cor- numerous petrifactions of logs, stumps, ruptible man. Went up into the village, &c. which have every appearance of where we found the people assembled wood, but on examination are found to to witness a play, which appeared to be be solid rock. acted with all the spirit and vivacity that would characterize a theatrical exhibition in more enlightened lands. Had no opportunity for giving tracts; but we returned again in the morning, and distributed near a hundred.

16. Came up to Taunggwen, (Curve in the Mountains,) an old town, containing numerous pagodas now in ruins. At present there are only about 30 houses. Gave 20 tracts. Passed up through the village of Migyaung-yeh, (Fierce Crocodile,)containing 75 houses, and gave 30 tracts, but found the people had mostly gone down to witness the play at Menyua. Reached Patanago about dark. This was formerly a large place, as was also Malun, situated directly opposite to it on the west side; but neither of them at present contains over 100 houses. Gave away 30 tracts at Patanago, and 85 at Malun.

21. Distributed 25 tracts at Wetmasut and several other small villages on the east side of the river. Arrived about 3 o'clock at Yenan-ghyaung, (Petrolium Creek,) so called from the numerous wells of petrolium or earth-oil, which are found in the vicinity. We took different routes, and proceeded through the village to distribute tracts. At first, the people were much afraid. Seeing a large concourse of people at the house of the governor, we went up and asked the chief if he wished to read one of our books? He said, No. After talking a little, however, he asked for one, and all the rest immediately joined in the request, which cost us about 50 tracts. Gave away in all 150, of which 17 were large books. After returning from the village, we concluded to take our little boat, and visit all the large boats lying before the place (about 150

in number,) most of which were waiting | richly gilt. The body of the edifice is for cargoes of earth-oil. We according- a huge structure of a pyramidal form, ly offered a large book to the master of every boat who wished for one, and in this way disposed of 55 books. Gave also 70 small tracts to the boatmen.

175 feet square, with a wing of 50 feet by 90 projecting from each of the four sides. There are four or five other temples of the same size. They are immense piles, and cover upwards of an acre each. We sung, as we walked through the echoing halls,

"Jesus shall reign."

He will reign; long after our voices shall be hushed in silence; long after these images shall have crumbled on their pedestals. When the grass shall be grown over the spot where stood these stately temples, then shall there be a kingdom established here, that must flourish, with undecaying vigor,

22. Passed several small villages, where we distributed 70 tracts. Saw off at a considerable distance, on the eastern side, the ruins of the old town of S'haleh. We went out to visit the place. It bears the marks of having anciently been very populous and splendid; and the remains of numerous old pagodas are scattered around for many miles. Saw a stone inscription near one of the more recent pagodas, bearing the date 417, that is, 780 years ago. Felt an indescribable awe, while standing above these now solitary hills,"Till moons shall wax and wane no more." where the people of centuries gone by had gathered before their idol gods for worship, and had gone down, generation after generation, to the kingdom of death, without any knowledge of God

their Maker.

Here we received a letter from br. Kincaid, stating new difficulties with the government, and advising us, in the present critical state of things, to come up with as little noise as possible, and not give any more books. Our tracts, however, were nearly all gone when his letter reached us, and we concluded to defer giving the remainder according to his advice, hoping to get a new supply from him, and to distribute in the places above here, on our return.

Temples at Pugan—Arrival at Ava. 27. Left the boat just as the sun was rising above the spires of old Pugan, and went out to examine the ruins of this once magnificent city. In every direction, as far as the eye can reach, pagodas, bearing the marks of former greatness, are scattered over the site of this ancient capital. Found here many inscriptions on stone, most of them dated between six and seven hundred years ago. The largest temples are all built in the ancient style, not round and solid, but opening in large high galleries inside. One of them, Shyen Ananda, is still kept in repair, and contains four colossal figures of Gaudama, in a standing position and

Jan. 2, 1835. Arrived at Yandabo, the place where Sir Archibald Campbell made peace with the Burmans, 40 or 50 miles from Ava. Finding the boat proceeded so slowly, a party of us went up on shore and arrived at Ava, Saturday evening, Jan. 3, three days before the boat. This city is called by the Burmans, Enwa, (Outlet of the Lake) or, briefly, Awa, (the Outlet,) from a small lake anciently situated here, but which is now filled up.

Felt

Worship at Ava-Grave of Dr. Price. 4. To-day being Sabbath, bro. Kincaid attended worship as usual, at which all the disciples were present, except the government writer. much pleasure at seeing the faces of this little band, which has been gathered from amid the furnace of persecution. May they prove as 'gold tried in the fire.'

5. This being the first Monday in the month, all the disciples who were present yesterday, assembled to-day to observe the Monthly Concert. Had an interesting meeting.

10. Went out to Amarapura, the old capital, which contains nearly or quite as great a population as Ava. It lies on the same side of the river. Walked out and examined the old palace grounds.

16. Finished printing a second edition of the Catechism, of 3000 copies.

19. Went over to Sagaing, (or Sitkaing, Branch of the Sit-tree,) which lies on the west side of the river. This was also a royal city, but the population is greatly diminished. We found the grave of Dr. Price, which is so far gone to decay, that we concluded to have a new one built, and a small stone erected with an inscription.

Return from Ava-Baptism at t'haung-Arrival at Rangoon-Whole books till after dark. Yat- came wading through the water for number of tracts and books distributed.

24. Having all our things on board, together with the Printing Press, we prepared to take leave of our dear br. and sister Kincaid, and the little band of disciples. Farewell to the golden city! May the Lord have mercy upon the thoughtless thousands that tread thy streets, and bring them into the light and liberty of the glorious Gospel.

We feel grieved that our faithful br. Kincaid is to be left in so lonely a situation. He is resolved to remain as long as he possibly can; but how long that will be, we cannot know. He has been wonderfully sustained thus far; he has dared to preach Christ, and distribute his word, in opposition to the mandates of a haughty court, and yet he goes on and remains unharmed. His master is able still to protect him. We leave him to the care of that Being who has hitherto been his stay; who held him in safety when the spears of the idolaters were at his heart!

We take with us from Ava, one of the young disciples, Moung Udaung, who we think will prove a valuable assistant in the mission. His father was the waw-mhu, or officer of the royal palanquin, under the old king, and was one of the first whom br. Kincaid baptized.

26. For some distance after leaving Ava, the course of the river is nearly west. At the village of Shyue-paukpen, (Golden Pauk-tree,) where we stopped last night, we gave 50 tracts and books. Stopped the boat again at Yandabo, which contains 100 houses, and gave 50 tracts. At night we reached Myenghyan, (Horse Enclosure,) a large place where we distributed 120 tracts.

27. Arrived at Pakhokku, the largest place between Rangoon and Ava. The people were very timid, and we were unable to dispose of more than 350

tracts.

28. Stopped at Nyaungu, (First Banyan,) a large village just above Pugan. The people were much afraid, and when asked if they wanted to read about the Eternal God, answered, "We dare not worship that God." We gave away, however, 60 tracts and 15 books. Gave between 30 and 40 at Pugan.

29. Arrived at Sa-lé, some time before night, and went out to distribute tracts. The people were very eager for them, and we gave away 160, besides 40 books. The boat was some distance from the bank, and the people

30. Arrived at Pakhaungeh, where we stopped distributing tracts on our way up. Here we gave 80 tracts and 20 books.

Feb. 2. Reached Thayet-tawgyaung about 10 o'clock. Went over to Yatt'haung, to see the disciples U Shyuewa, and his son, who had requested us to call as we passed down. Found the old man waiting for us. He said his mind was now quiet, and he wanted to obey all his Lord's commands, and wished to receive baptism. They both appeared very well on examination, and there seemed to be no reason why their baptism should be deferred. We told them we were satisfied with them, and that we would immediately repair to the river for the purpose of administering the ordinance. We accordingly started on. But the old man's heart failed him at the trial, and he declared that his fear of the rulers was so great that he dared not go forward. But the son was unmoved. He said he was indeed afraid, but he must be baptized; he would confess his Lord, and though they should throw him into prison, or sever his head from his body, he could never deny that he was his disciple. So the young man was baptized. His name is Moung T'hunaung. We gave him a copy of the New Testament for his directory, and left him, like a sheep in the wilderness, not knowing that we shall ever see him again in this world, but hoping and believing that we shall find him safe at last in his Heavenly Father's home.

Arrived at Rangoon, Feb. 10, having distributed since leaving this place in November, 11,104 tracts, and 1,597 books. The total number of pages is 472,010, of which 331,410 pages have consisted entirely of scripture. We have given away more or less in all the principal towns and villages on the river between Rangoon and Ava. May the blessing of the Lord attend them, and wherever they are read, may salvation come upon thousands ready to perish.