BV 3271 Knowles, James D. 1798-183^ Memoir of Ann H. Judson j 1 ^^^^^1 1 B^^^mS^^^ M "M R ^^m i iH . '-^ f 1 mmSmtmStK p % 1 ■Hi ^H K^ ^M ■ Bk! t?^. Ji mi ' HHP 1 H 1 — m«»*j.»«-J-c-( /^. <^ ^ (^^ ^^"^ /ya. ^4.^JJ:36. MEMOIR / ANN H. JUDSON, MISSIONARY TO BURMA H. JAMES D. KNOWLES Come, Lord, and, added to thy many crowns, Receive yet one, tlie crown of all the earth, THOU, who alone art worthy." Cowper BOSTON: GOULD, KENDALL, AND LINCOLN, 1846. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1835, By Gould, Kendall, & Lincoln, In the Clerk's Ofifice of the District Court of Massachusetts. PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. The Compiler of the following pages, while he feels no wish to disarm criticism, by any apologies, deems it rifjht to say, that he undertook the service with reluc- tance, arising from a fear, that the multiplied engage- ments and incessant anxieties of an extensive parochial charge would prevent him from satisfying the expecta- tions of the public* But a persuasion that such a book would be useful, and the solicitations of those whose opinions and wishes he is accustomed to respect, have induced him to endeavour to perform the duty. He acknowledges, with gratitude, the kind assistance which he has received from several individuals, and par- ticularly from the parents and other relatives of Mr. and Mrs. Judson. To the materials which they have sup- plied, the work is indebted for much of its interest and value. The greater part of the private journals of Mrs. Jud- son, and other valuable papers, were destroyed by her- self, at Ava, at the commencement of the war^ in 1524, to prevent them from falling into the hands of the Bur- mans. The extracts from her journals, which are quoted in this work, were found by her husband among her papers, and were transmitted by him to this country. It ought to be here stated, that it was thought de sirable to connect with a Memoir of Mrs. Judson, a History of the Burman Mission. Her life is indeed a history of that Mission, up to the period of her death. Her valuable Letters to Mr. Butterworth are out of print ; and this Memoir contains the only connected narrative, which can now be obtained, of the rise and progress of the Burman Mission. Of the usefulness of such a narrative, no doubt can be entertained. In * He was, at that time. Pastor of the Second Baptist Church, in Boston. FRETACE. W rormation concerning the real condition and wants of the heathen world must bs spread aioong the churches, before they can be excited to a proper state of feeling- in regard to missions. Christians, therefore, may serve the cause of the Redeemer, by circulating authentic accounts of the deplora- ble situation of the heathen nations, and statements of the nature, designs, and progress of the benevolent efforts which Cluistians are now making for the conversion of the world. It is hoped, that such an account of Burmah and of the Bur- man ^Mission will be read with interest, and will operate beneficially on the public mind. Care has been taken to make this narrative as concise as possible. It is, of necessity, for the most part, a compilation iVom letters and documents, portions of which have before been published ; but it is believed that those who have read them will peruse them again with increased pleasure in their connected form. The History is continued to the present time, in order that this book may be a complete record of all the important facts relating to the Mission, up to the latest dates from Burmah. In preparing the -Memoir, the Compiler has aimed to make it, as much as possible, an auto-biography, by introducing I\!rs. Judson's private journals and letters, so far as they could be obtained, and were suitable for publication. The reader will find a large proportion of the book composed of details which have not, till now, met the public eye. The delay which has occurred, in the publication of the IMemoir, is, on some accounts, a cause of regret ; but it has been unavoidable. After the death of ]Mrs. Judson was known in this country, it was early resolved, by the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, that a Memoir should be prepar- ed. But it was necessary to obtain from her husband the papers, and other information, which he might furnish. Nearly two years elapsed, before these arrangements could be finished. Considerable time and labor were necessary, moreover, to collect materials in this country, before the work could be commenced. These flrcts will explain the reasons why the book has not before been published. One advantage, at least, has resulted from the delay. The pre- sent situation of the Mission is highly auspicious ; and the History, while it is more complete, is, also, more cheering, »han it would have been at any former period. PREFACE. This book is published under the direction of the Baptist Board of Missions, the funds of which will be aided by a wide circulation of the work. But tlie chief purpose of the Board and of the Author has been to advance, by its publi- cation, the cause of truth and of missions. The Compiler lias felt the difficulty of treating properly some topics which have a necessary connexion with the narrative, and which have occasioned various feelin^sj in difterent bosoms. Some may thinlc that he has touched them too lightly ; while others may ha've wished that they should not be mentioned at all. lie can merely say, that he has endeavoured to ascertain what du^y required of him, and to perform it in a right manner and with right feelhigs. The map which accompanies this volume is copied, with some alterations, from Snodgrass' " Burmese War," a copy of which was kindly furnislied from tlie Library of the New- ton Theological Seminary. The work has been finislied with as much fidelity and care as the leisure hours of a Pastor, few, inleirupted and far between, have allowed him to bestow on it ; and it is now commended to the blessing of Cod, and to the favor of the public, with the hope, tliat while it serves as a memorial of the character and actions of a departed servant of the Re- deemer, it may assist to foster pious feelings, and to enkindle stronger desires for the tmiversal triumph of the Gospel. Boston, February 20, 1829. CONTENTS CH AP'11':U I.— Mrs. Judson's Birth, Education, and Con- versii/u, 9 CHAPTER II.— Mrs. Judson's Connexion with Mr. Jud- sou, 3^ CHAPTER III.— Embarkation— Voyage— Arrival at Calcutta, 52 CHAPTER IV.— Difficulties with the Bengal Govern- ment — Mr. and Mrs. Judson, and Mr. Rice, become Baptists, 67 CHAPTER v.— Mr. and Mrs. Judson, and Mr. Rice, sail fox the Isle of France — Mrs. Newcll's Deatii — Mr. Rice sails for America — Mr. and Mrs. J. sail for Madras- Arrived at Rangoon, 84 CHAPTER VI.— Sketch of the Geograpl^y, History, Re- ligion, Language, «fcc. of the Burman Empire, 105 CHAPTER VII.— Establishment of the Mission at Ran- goon, 123 CHAPTER VIII.— Letters of Mrs. Judson— Birth and Death of a Son — Arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Hough,. . . , 142 CHAPTER IX.— Mr. Judson's Visit to Chi ttagong— Per- secution of Mr. Hough, and his Departure for Bengal — Return of Mr. Judson— Arrival of Messrs. Colman and Wheelock, o 159 CH.4PTER X. — Mr. Judson commences Preachings- First Convert baptized — Death of Mr. Wheelock,. . . . 175 CHAPTER XL— Visit to Ava— Unsuccessful Interview with the King, 198 TUl CONTENTS. CHAPTER XII.— Arrival in Calcutta— Return to Ran- goon — Dr. Price joins the Mission — Mrs. Judson sails tor America, 21ii CHAP PER XIII.— Mrs. Judson's Visit to America— Mr. Wade joins the Mission— Sail lor Calcutta, 229 CHAPTER XIV.— Messrs. Judson and Price visit Ava —Mrs. Judson and Mr. and Mrs. Wade arrive at Ran- goon, 262 CHAPTER XV.— Mr. and Mrs. Judson visit Ava— War with the British, 269 CHAPTER XVI.— Account of the Scenes at Ava during the War, 281 CHAPTER XVII.— Narrative continued— Removal of the Prisoners to Oung'-pen-la — Mrs. Judson follows tliem — Release of the Prisoners, 302 CHAPTER XVITI.—Removal ta Amherst— Mrs. Jud- son's Death — Epitaph— Oblliktry Lines — Address to the Ladies of America 326 ifjU-iiiyjii. *^^- MEMOIR CHAPTER I. Mrs. Judson's Birth, Education, and Conversion. " I AM a man, and feel a concern in everything that relates to mankind," was the generous sentiment of a Roman poet,* which touched a kindred chord, even in the bosoms of his iron hearted countrymen. It is this universal sympathy which has always given a charm to Biography. The earliest human compo- sitions were narratives of the exploits and adventures of distinguished individuals. History, which has been called " philosophy teaching by example," owes the greater part of its usefulness and interest, to its sketches of individual character, and its details of private conduct. The inspired volume itself has this additional evidence of its origin from Him who knows what is in man, that a large portion of it consists of Biography. The life and the death of many, both of the enemies and of the friends of God, are here recorded, to teach mankind, in the most emphatic manner, the happiness Avhich springs from piety, and the folly of those who know not God, and obey not the Gospel. * Terence. The well known words, " Homo sum, human! nil a me alienum puto," were received with loud plaudits by tlie audience. 10 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. It is remarkable, too, that Jehovah lias thought proper to mention, in his word, with honorable com- mendation, many " holy women," whose Hves dis- played the excellence of religion, and whose zeal in duty, firmness in suifering, and intrepidity in danger, entitle them to rank among the noble band, of whom the world was not worthy. The Bible, though writ- ten in a part of the earth where the female charac- ter is undervalued, is full of testimony to the moral and intellectual Avorth of woman. It is no small evidence of its divine origin, that it thus rises above a prejudice which seems to be universal, except where the Bible has dispelled it. Christianity alone teaches the true rank of women ; and secures to the loveliest and best portion of our race, the respect and influence which belong to them. But no precedent nor argument is needed to justify the publication of a Memoir of Mrs. Judson. Those who have acquired any knowledge of her, are, k is believed, desirous to know more ; and all the friends of Missions must wish to trace the progress of a life which has been so closely connected with the history of the Burman Mission. Mrs. Ann H. Judson was the daughter of Mr. John and Mrs. Rebecca Hasseltine. She was born December 22, 1789, at Bradford, (Massachusetts,) where her venerable parents yet reside. It has been said, that the character of men is formed by the education which they receive ; the companions among whom they are placed ; the pur- suits to which they are led by inclination or necessity ; and the general circumstances of the situation into which accident or choice may have guided them. This opinion, though doubtless it derives some plausibility from the undeniable effects of education, of example, and of the numberless other influences which affect the minds and the hearts of men, is yet untrue, in regard both to the intellectual and moral character. Neither the reason nor the affections are MEMOIR OF MRS, JUDSON. U 80 obsequious to the power ol' external circumstances, as readily to take any new shape and direction. There exist, without doubt, in the original struc- ture of every mind, the distinctive elements of the future character. Favorable opportunities may be needed, to develope this character, but they cannot alone create it. The " village Hampden," or the "mute, inglorious Milton," may exist in many a hamlet ; and the call of an oppressed country, or the inspirations of learning, might arouse and summon them forth to action, but could not bestow the noble patriotism of the one, nor the genius of the other. It is for this reason, that men feel a curiosity to learn something of the early life of individuals, distin- guished either by uncommon qualities, or by remark- able actions. It seems to be thought, that such individuals must have exhibited, in childhood, some of the traits which marked their mature years. It gives no surprise to the admirers of Pope, to learn that he " lisped in numbers ;" and those who were charmed and moved by the eloquence of Massillon, or Whitefield, would readily believe, that the former was accustomed, while a boy, to repeat to his school- fellows the sermons which he had heard ; and that the latter composed discourses while he served, at an early age, as a waiter at an inn. The lamented individual, a sketch of whose Hfe is attempted in the following pages, was known to the public, almost wholly as a Missionary. But every one, who feels a concern to know what slie did and suffered, in the performance of her office, will be desirous to learn some facts relating to her early life, and some details of her personal history. These will naturally be expected to shed light on her public char- acter, and to strengthen the interest with which her eventful course will be followed. It is a cause of regret, that the means of gratify- ing this natural curiosity are so few and scanty. The reasons have already been explained, why no more of the jjnxluctions of her pen have been preserved ; and 12 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. the reader may easily imagine the difficulty of gath- ering the fugitive recollections which yet linger in the memory of her friends. From this source, however, a few facts have been collected. In her earliest years, she was distinguished by activity of mind, extreme gayety, a strong relish for social amusements, and unusually ardent feelings. She possessed that spirit of enterprise, that fertility in devising plans for the attainment of her Toshes, and that indefatigable perseverance in the pursuit of her purposes, of which her subsequent life furnished so many examples, and created so frequent occasions. Her restless spirit, while a child, was often restrained by her mother ; and the salutary prohibitions which this excellent parent was sometimes forced to impose, occasioned so much grief, that Mrs. Hasseltine once said to her, " I hope, my daughter, you will one day be satisfied with rambling." An eager thirst for knowledge is commonly the attendant, and often the parent, of a restless, enter- prising disposition. It was so in the case of Mrs. Judson. She loved learning, and a book could allure her from her favorite walks, and from the gayest so- cial circle. The desire for knowledge is often found in connexion with moderate intellectual faculties; and in such cases, with favorable opportunities, the individual may make a respectable proficiency in learn- ing. But this desire is almost invariably an attribute of eminent mental powers ; and the person thus hap- pily endowed, needs nothing but industry and ade- quate means, to ensure the attainment of the highest degree of literary excellence. Mrs. Judson's mind was of a superior order. It was distinguished by strength, activity, and clearness. She has, indeed, left no memorials, which can be pro- duced, as fair specimens of her talents and literary acquirements. She Avrote much, but her writings have perished, except letters and accounts of mission- ary proceedings, written Avithout any design to ex- hibit her abilities, or display her learning. But no MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 13 one can review her life, and read what she has written and published, without feeling- that her mind possessed unusual vigor and cultivation. She was educated at the Academy in Bradford, a seminary which has become hallowed by her memory, and by that of Mrs. Newell, the proto-martyr of the American Missions. Here she pursued her studies with much success. Her perceptions were rapid, her memory retentive, and her perseverance indefatigable. Here she laid the foundations of her knowledge, and here her intellect was stimulated, disciplined and di- rected. Her preceptors and associates ever regarded lier with respect and esteem ; and considered her ar- dent temperament, her decision and perseverance, and her strength of mind, as ominous of some un- common destiny. Her religious character, however, is of the most importance, in itself, and in connexion with her future life. The readers of^ this Memoir will feel the deep- est concern, to trace the rise and progress of that spiritual renovation, and that divine teaching, which made her a disciple of the Saviour, and prepared her for her labors in his service. Of this momentous change, the following account, written by lierself, has happily been rescued from the fate which befell the greater part of her private journals : — " During the first sixteen years of my life, I very seldom felt any serious impressions, which I think were produced by the Holy Spirit. ! was early taught by my mother (though she Avas then ignorant of the nature of true religion) the importance of ab- staining from those vices, to which children are Hable — as telling falsehoods, disobeying my parents, taking what was not my own, &c. She also taught me, that if I were a good child, I should, at death, escape that dreadful hell, the thought of which some- times filled me with alarm and terror. I, therefore, made it a matter of conscience to avoid the above- mentioned sins, to say my prayers night and morning, 2 14 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. and to abstain from my usual play on the Sabbath, not doubting', but that such a course of conduct would ensure my salvation. " At the ag"e of twelve or thirteen, I attended the academy at Bradford, where I was exposed to many more temptations than before, and found it much more difficult to pursue my pharisaical method. I now began to attend balls, and parties of pleasure, and found my mind completely occupied with what I daily heard were " innocent amusements." My conscience reproved me, not for engaging in these amusements, but for neglecting to say my prayers, and read my Bible, on returning from them ; but I finally put a stop to its remonstrances, by thinking, that, as I was old enough to attend balls, I was surely too old to say prayers. Thus were my fears quieted ; and for two or three years, I scarcely felt an anxious thought rel- ative to the salvation of my soul, though I was rapid- ly verging towards eternal ruin. My disposition was gay in the extreme ; my situation was such as afford- ed me opportunities for indulging it to the utmost ; I was surrounded with associates, wild and volatile Hke myself, and often thought myself one of the hap- piest creatures on earth. "The first circumstance, which in any measure awakened me from this sleep of death, was the follow ing. One Sabbath morning, having prepared myself to attend public worship, just as I was leaving my toilet, I accidentally took up Hannah More's Strict- ures on Female Education ; and the first words that caught my eye were. She that liveth in pleasure, is dead while she liveth. They were written in italics, with marks of admiration ; and they struck me to the heart. I stood for a few moments, amazed at the incident, and half inclined to think, tliat some invisi- ble agency had directed my eye to those words. At first, I thought I would live a different life, and be more serious and sedate ; but at last I thought, that the words were not so applicable to me, as I first imaginedj and resolved to think no more of them. MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 15 ** In the course of a few montlis (at the age of fifteen,) I met with Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. I read it as a Sabbath book, and Avas much interested in the story. I finished the book on a Sabbath, and it left this impression on my mind — that Christian, because he adhered to the narrow path, was carried safely through all his trials, and at last admitted into heaven. I resolved, from that moment, to begin a religious Ufa ; and in order to keep my resolutions, I went to my chamber and prayed for divine assist- ance. When I had done, I felt pleased Avith myself, and thought I was in a fair way for heaven. JBut I was perplexed to know what it was to live a religious life, and again had recourse to my system of works. The first step, that appeared necessary for me to take, was, to refrain from attending parties of pleasure, and be reserved and serious in the presence of the other scholars. Accordingly, on Monday morning, I went to school, with a determination to keep my resolution, and confident that I should. I had not been long in school, before one of the young ladies, an intimate friend of mine, came with a very anima- ted countenance, and told me that Miss in a neighbouring town, was to have a splendid party on new year's day, and that she and I were included in the party selected. I coolly replied, that I should not go, though I did receive an invitation. She seemed surprised, and asked me what was the matter. I replied, that I should never again attend such a party. I continued of the same opinion during the day, and felt much pleased with such a good op- portunity of trying myself Monday evening, the daughters of sent in to invite me and my sisters to spend the evening with them, and make a family visit. I hesitated a little, but considering that it was to be a family party merely, I thought I could go without 'breaking my resolutions. Accordingly 1 went, and found that two or three other families of young ladies had been invited. Dancing was soon mtroduced ; my religious plans were forgotten j I join- 16 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. ed with the rest — was one of the gayest of tlie gay — > and thought no more of the new life 1 liad just be- gun. On my return home, I found an invitation from Miss in waiting, and accepted it at once. My conscience let me pass quietly through the amusements of that evening also; but Avhen I re- tired to my chamber, on my return, it accused me of breaking my most solemn resolutions. I thought I should never dare to make others, for I clearly saWj that I was unable to keep them. "From December, 1805, to April, 1806, I scarce- ly spent a rational hour. My studies were slightly attended to, and my time was mostly occupied in preparing my dress, and in contriving amusements for the evening, which portion of my time was whol- ly spent in vanity and trifling. I so far surpassed my friends in gayety and mirth, that some of them were apprehensive that I had but a short time to continue in my career of folly, and should be sudden- ly cut off'. Thus passed the last winter of my gay life. " In the spring of 1806, there appeared a little at- tention to religion, in the upper parish of Bradford. Heligious conferences had been appointed during the winter, and I now began to attend them regularly, I often used to weep, when hearing the minister and others, press the importance of improving the pres- ent favorable season, to obtain an interest in Christ, lest we should have to say, The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. I thought I should be one of that number ; for though I now deeply felt the importance of being strictly religious, it appeared to me impossible I could be so, while in the midst of my gay associates. I generally sought some retired corner of the room, in which the meet- ings were held, lest others should observe the emo- tions I could not restj-ain ; but frequently after being much affected through the evening, I would return home, in company with some of my light companions, and assume an air of gayety very foreign to my MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. l7 heart. The Spirit of God was now evidently oper- ating on my mind; I lost all relish for amusiMiients ; felt melancholy and dejected ; and the solemn truth, that I must obtain a new heart, or perish forever, lay with weight on my mind. My preceptor was a pious man, and used IVequently to make serious remarks in the iamily. One Sabbath evening, speak- ing of the operations of the Holy Spirit on the hearts of sinners, a subject with which I had been hitherto unacquainted, he observed, that when un- der these operations, Satan frequently tempted us to conceal our feelings from others, lest our conviction should increase. I could hear him say no more ; but rose from my seat, and went into the garden, that I might weep in secret over my deplorable state. 1 felt, that I was led captive by Satan at his will, and that he had entire control over me. And notwith- standing I knew this to be my situation, I thought 1 would not have any of my acquaintance know that I was under serious impressions, for the whole world. The ensuing week, I had engaged to be one of a party to visit a young lady in a neighbouring town, who had formerly attended the academy. The state of my mind was such that I earnestly longed to be free from this engagement, but knew not how to gain my end, without telling the real reason. This I could not persuade myself to do ; but concluded on the morning of the appointed day, to absent myself from my father's home, and visit an aunt, who lived at some distance, and who was, I had heard, under serious impressions. I went accordingly, and found my aunt engaged in reading a religious magazine. I was determined she should not know the state of my mind, though I secretly hoped, that she would tell me something of hers. I had not been with her long, before she asked me to reatl to her. I began, but could not govern my feelings, and burst into tears. She kindly begged to know what thus aliln-ted me. I then, for the first time in my lif*, communicated feelings which I had determined should be known to 2* 18 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. none but myself. She urged the importance of my cherishing those feelings, and of devoting myself en- tirely to seeking an interest in Christ, before it should be forever too Tate. She told me, that if 1 trifled with impressions which were evidently made by the Holy Spirit, I should be left to hardness of heart, and blindness of mind. Her words penetrated my heart, and I felt resolved to give up everything, and seek to be reconciled to God. That I'ear, which 1 had ever felt, that others would know that I was serious, noAV vanished away, and I was willing that the whole universe should know, that I felt myself to be a lost and perishing sinner. I returned home, with a burst- ing heart, fearing that I should lose my impressions, when associated with the other scholars, and con- vinced, that if I did, my soul was lost. As I entered my father's house, I perceived a large party of the scholars assembled to spend the evening. It will be the height of rudeness, thought I, to leave the com- pany 3 but my second thought was, if I lose my soul, I lose my all. I spoke to one or two, passed through the room, and Avent to my chamber, where I spent the evening, full of anxiety and distress. 1 felt that if 1 died in that situation I must perish ; but how to extricate myself I knew. not. 1 had been unaccus- tomed to discriminating preaching ; I had net been in the habit of reading religious books ; I could nat un- derstand the Bible ; and felt myself as perfectly igno- rant of the natu re of true religion as the very heathen. In this extremity, the next morning, I ventured to ask the preceptor what I should do. He told me to pray for mercy, and submit myself to God. He also put into my hands some religious magazines, in which I read the conviction and conversion of some, who, I perceived, had once felt as I now felt. I shut myself up in my chamber, denied myself every innocent grat- ification ; such as eating fruit and other things, not absolutely necessary to support life, and spent my daya in reading and crying for mercy. *' But I had seen, as yet, very Uttle of the awful MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSOIf. 19 u^ickedness of my heart. I knew not yet the foTce of that passage, The carnal mind is enmity against God. I thought myself very penitent, and ahiiost prepared, by voluntary abstinence, to receive the divine favor. After spending two or three weeks in this manner, without obtaining the least comfort, my heart began to rise in rebellion against God. I thought it unjust in him, not to notice my prayers and my repentance. I could not endure the thought, that he was a sover- eign God, and had a right to call one and leave anoth- er to perish. So far from being merciful in calling some, I thought it cruel in him to send any of his creatures to hell for their disobedience. But my chief distress was occasioned by a view of his perfect purity and holiness. My heart was filled with aversicMi and liatred towards a holy God ; and I felt, that if admitted into heaven, with the feelings I then had, I should be as miserable as I could be in hell. In this state, I longed for annihilation ; and if I could have destroyed the existence of my soul, Avith as much ease as that of my body, I should quickly have done it. But that glorious Being, who is kinder to his creatures, than they are to themselves, did not leave me to remain long in this distressing state. I began to discover a beauty in the way of salvation by Christ. He appear- ed to be just such a Saviour as I needed. I saw Iioav God could be just, in saving sinners through him. _ I committed my soul into his hands, and besought him to do with me what seemed good in his sight. When I was thus enabled to commit myself into the hands of Christ, my mind was relieved from that distressing weight which had borne it down for so long a time. I did not think that I had obtained the new heart, which I had been seeking, but felt happy in contem- plating the character of Christ, and particularly that disposition, which led him to suffer so much, for the sake of doing the will and promoting the glory of his heavenly Father. A few days after this, as I was reading Bellamy's True Religion, I obtained a new view of the character of God. His justice, display- 20 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. ed in condemning' the finally impenitent, which I had before viewed as cruel, now appeared to be an expres- sion of hatred to sin, and regard lo the good of beings n general. A view of his purity and holiness filled •ny soul -with wonder and admiration. I felt a dispo- sition to commit myself unreservedly into his hands, and leave it with him to save me or cast me oflT; tor I felt I could not be unhappy, while allowed the privi- lege of contemplating and loving so glorious a Being. I now began to hope, that I had passed from death unto life. When I examined myself, I was constrain- ed to o\\'ii, that I had feelings and dispositions, to which I was formerly an utter stranger. I had sweet communion with the blessed God, from day to day; my heart was drawn out in love to Christians of whatever denomination; the sacred Scriptures were sweet to my taste; and such was my thirst for religious knowledge, that I frequently spent a great part of the night in reading religious books. O how different were my views of myself and of God, from what they were, when I first began to inquire what I should do to be saved. I felt myself to be a poor lost sinner, destitute of everything to recommend myself to the divine favor : that T was, by nature, inclined to every evil way; and that it had been the mere sovereign, restraining mercy of God, not my own goodness, which had kept me from committing the most flagrant crimes. This view of myself hum- bled me in the dust, melted me into sorrow and con- trition for my sins, induced me to lay my soul at the feet of Christ, and plead his merits alone, as the ground of my acceptance. I felt that if Christ had not died, to m.ake an atonement for sin, I could not ask God to dishonor his holy government so far as to save so polluted a creature, and that should he even now condemn me to suffer eternal punishment, it would be so just that my mouth would be stopped, and all holy beings in the universe would acquiesce in the sentence, and praise him as a just and right- eous God. My chief happiness now consisted in MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 2J contemplating^ the moral perfections of the glorious God. I longed to have all intelligent creatures love him; and felt, that even fallen spirits could never be released from their obligations to love a Being pos- sessed of such glorious perfections. I felt happy in the consideration, that so benevolent a Being gov- erned the world, and ordered every passing event. I lost all disposition to murmur at any providence, assured that such a Being could not err in any dis- pensation. Sin, in myself and others, appeared as that abominable thing, which a holy God hates — and I earnestly strove to avoid sinning, not merely be- cause I was afraid of hell, but because I feared to displease God, and grieve his Holy Spirit. I attend- ed my studies in school, with far different feelings and dillerent motives, from what I had ever done before. I felt my obligation to improve all I had to the glo- ry of God; and since he in his providence had favor- ed me with advantages for improving my mind, 1 felt that I should be like the slothful servant, if 1 neglected them. I, therefore, diligently employed all my hours in school, in acquiring useful knowledge, and spent my evenings and part of the night in spiritual enjoyments. " While thus recounting the mercies of God to my soul, I am particularly affected by two considerations ; the richness of that grace, which called and stopped me in my dangerous course, and the ungrateful re- turns I make ibr so distinguished a blessing. I am prone to forget the voice which called me out of darkness into light, and the hand which drew me from the horrible pit and the miry clay. When 1 first discerned my Deliverer, my grateful heart of^ fered him the services of a whole life, and resolved to acknowledge no other master. But such is the force of my native depravity, that I find myself prone to forsake him, griev^e aAvay his influence from my heart, and walk in the dark and dreary path of the backslider. I despair of making great attainments in the divine life, and look forward to death only, to 22 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. free me from my sins and corruptions. Till that blessed period, that hour of my emancipation, I am resolved, through the grace and strength of my Redeemer, to maintain a constant warfare with my inbred sins, and endeavour to perform the duties incumbent on me, in whatever situation I may be placed. •Safely guide my wandering feet. Travelling in this vale of tears ; Dearest Saviour, to thy seat Lead, and dissipate my fears. ' " The change in her feelings and views, which she has thus described, was a thorough and permanent one. She immediately entered on the duties, and sought for the pleasures, of religion, with all the ardor of her natural character. Several letters to her young friends, written soon after this period, have been preserved. They are almost exclusively confined to religious topics ; and some of them, ad- di-essed to individuals who had not then made the Saviour their refuge, breathe an earnest desire for their welfare, and a faithfulness in beseeching them to repent of their sins and believe in the Redeemer, which indicate the early workings of the same zeal that afterAvards led her to Burmah. "Redeeming love," says an intimate friend, "was now her theme. One might spend days with her, without hearing any other subject reverted to. The throne of grace, too, was her early and late resort. I have known her to spend cold winter evenings in a chamber without fire, and return to the family with a solemnity spread over her countenance, which told of Him with whom she had been communing. Nor was her love of social pleasures diminished, although the complexion of them was completely changed. Even at this late period, I fancy I see her, with strong feelings depicted on her countenance, inclining over her Bible, rising to place it on the stand, retiring to her chamber, and after a season of prayer, proceeding MfcMOIR OP MRS. JUDSON. 2S to visit this and tliat family, to speak of Him whom her soul loved. She thirsted for the knowledge of gospel truth, in all its relations and dependencies. Besides the daily study of Scri])ture, with Guise, Or- ton and Scott hefore lier, she perused with deep in- terest the works of Edwards, Hopkins, Bellamy, Doddridge, &c. "With Edwards on Jledemption, she was instructed, quickened, strengthened. Well do I remember the elevated smile Avhich beamed on her countenance, when she first spoke to me of its pre- cious contents. She had transcribed, with her own hand, Edwards' leading and most striking remarks (M\ this great subject. When reading Scripture, ser- mons, or other works, if she met witli any sentiment or doctrine, which seemed dark and intricate, she would mark it, and beg the first clergyman who cal- led at her father's, to elucidate and explain it. " Her religious feelings were nevertheless affected by the same fluctuations as those of other Christians. The fervor of her affections made her, indeed, more liable than persons of a more equable temperament, to the changes, which physical as well as moral cau- ses occasion in the spiritual joys of Christians. Her piety did not consist in feeling ; but there is no true religion without feeling ; and the heart which has ever been suitably affected by the stupendous truths and hopes of Christianity, cannot be satisfied with a dull insensibility, or even with a calm equanimity. There will be a consciousness of disproportion be- tween the subjects which Christianity presents to the mind, and the feelings which they awaken ; and the sell-reproach that will thus be occasioned, will be increased, by a recollection of the strong affections and lively joys which the heart experienced in the ardor of its first love. Every believer has frequent occasion to accuse himself of a want of lively sensi- bility to his privileges and duties ; and while he can look back to seasons when he was more zealous in his piety, and when his enjoyment of religious pleas- ures was greater than at present, he will fear that S4 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON he has receded instead of advancing. He will deplore his unfaithfulness and coldness, and will write " bitter thing's " against himself. Mrs. Judson's journal contains many details of these alternations of joy and sorrow, of hope and self-accusation, of which all Christians are, in some degree, partakers. A few extracts will now be in- serted : " July 30, 1806. I find my heart cold and hard. 1 fear there is no spiritual life in me. T am in an unhappy state, lor nothing in life can afford me sat- isfaction without the light of God's countenance. Why is my heart so far from thee, O God, when it is my highest happiness to enjoy thy presence ! Let me no more wander from thee ; but * Send down thy Spirit from above. And fill my soul with sacred love.' " »Bug. 5. Were it lefl to my choice, whether to follow the vanities of the world, and go to heaven at last, or to live a religious life, have trials with sin and temptation, and sometimes enjoy the light of God's reconciled countenance, I should not hesitate a moment in choosing the latter ; for there is no real satisfaction in the enjoyments of time and sense. If the young, in the midst of their diversions, could picture to themselves the Saviour hanging on the cross, his hands and feet streaming with blood, his head pierced with thorns, his body torn with scourg- es, and reflect, that by their wicked lives, they open those wounds afresh, they would feel constrained to repent, and cry for mercy on their souls. O my God, let me never more join \vith the wicked world, or take enjoyment in anything short of conformity to thy holy will. May I ever keep in mind the solemn day, when I shall appear before thee ! May I ever flee to the bleeding Saviour, as my only re- fuge, and renouncing my own righteousness, may I rely entirely on the righteousness of thy dear Son I MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 25 *^Aug. 6. I have many doubts about my spiritual state. I fear I do not really love the divine charac- ter ; and if not, what a dreadful situation I am in ! And is it possible, that I have never ^iven myself away to God in sincerity and truth ? I will do it now. In thy strength, 6 God, I resign myself into thy hands, and resolve to live devoted to thee. I desire conformity to thy will, more than anything- beside. I desire to have the Spirit of Christ, to be adorned w^th all the Christian graces, to be more engaged in the cause of Christ, and feel more con cerned for the salvation of precious souls. "SI. Another Sabbath is past. Have attended public worship, but with Wandering thoughts. O how depraved I find my heart ! Yet I cannot think of going back to the Avorld, and renouncing my Sa- viour. O merciful God, save me from myself, and enable me to commit myself entirely to thee. " Sept. 2. I have discovered new beauties in the way of salvation by Christ. The righteousness which he has wrought out is complete, and he is able to save the chief of sinners. But above all, his wondrous dying love, and glorious resurrection, as- tonish my soul. How can I ever sin against this Sa- viour again.'' O keep me from sinning against thee, dear Redeemer, and enable me to hve to the promo- tion of thy glory. " 14. I have, this day, publicly professed myself a disciple of Christ, and covenanted with him, at his sacred table.* I am now renew^edly bound to keep his commandments, and w^alk in his steps. O may this solemn covenant never be broken. May I be guarded from the vanities of this Hfe, and spend all my days in the service of God. O keep me, merciful God, keep me ; for I have no strength of my own; I shall dishonor thy cause, and ruin my soul, unless guided by thee. " Nov. 3. Anotiier day, for which 1 must give an ♦She became a member of the Congregational Church io Bradford. 3 26 MEMOIR OF M!?S. JUDSON. account, has gone into eternity. It will appear, on l}ie great day, dressed in the very garb which I have given it. Spent the evening with my young reh- gious friends, and Mr. P. whose conversation was remarkably solemn. He advised us to make reso- lutions for the government of our daily conduct. I teel myself unable to keep any resolutions that I may make; but humbly relying on the grace of God for assistance, I will try. I do desire to live wholly devoted to God, and to have every sin in my heart entirely slain. " O thou God of all grace, I humbly beseech thee to enable me to keep the following resolutions : — When I first awake, solemnly devote myself to God, for the day. Read several passages of Scripture, and then spend as long time in prayer, as circumstances permit. Read two chapters in the Old Testament, and one in the New, and meditate thereon. Attend to the duties of my chamber. If I have no needle work to do, read in some religious book. At school, diligently attend to the duties before me, and let not one moment pass unimproved. At noon, read a por- tion of Scripture, pray for the blessing of God, and spend the remainder of the intermission, in reading some improving or religious book. In all my stud- ies, be careful to maintain a humble dependance on divine assistance. In the evening, if I attend a religious meeting, or any other place for instruction, before going, read a portion of Scripture. If not, spend the evening in reading, and close the day as I began. Resolve also to strive against the first Hsings of discontent, fretfulness and anger; to be meek, and humble, and patient, constantly to bear in mind, that I am in the presence of God; habitually to look up to him for deliverance from temptations; and in all cases, to do to others, as I would have them do to me. " Nov. 6. I daily make some ncAv discoveries of the vileness and ev'l of my heart. I sometimes fear, that it is impossible for a spark of grace to exist in MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 27 a heart so full of sin. Nothing' but the pov/er of God can keep me from returning- to the world, and becoming as vain as ever. But still I see a beauty in the character of Christ, that makes me ardently desire to be like him. All the commands of God a|> pear perfectly right and reasonable, and sin appears so odious as to deserve eternal punishment. O how deplorable would be my situation, thus covered with sin, was it not for the atonement Christ has made. But he is my Mediator Avith the Father. He has mygnified the law and made it honorable. He can save sinners, consistently with the divine glory. God can now be just, and the justifier of those who be- lieve in his Son. " 26. This is the evening before thanksgiving day, and one which I formerly spent in making prepara- tion for some vain amusement. But for the first time in my life, I liave spent it in reading and j) ray- ing, and endeavouring to obtain a suitable frame of mind for the approaching day. How much reason have I to be thankful for what God has done for me, the year past. He has preserved my forfeited life; he has waited to be gracious; he has given me kind friends, and all the comforts of hfe; and, more than all, he has sent his Holy Spirit, and caused me to feel my lost condition by nature — inclined me to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, as my only Saviour, and thus changed the whole course of my life. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name ! " Dec. 22. I am this day seventeen years old. What an important year has the past been to me. Either I have been made, through the mercy of God, a partaker of divine grace, or I have been fatally de- ceiving myself, and building on a sandy foundation. Either I have in sincerity and truth, renounced the vanities of this world, and entered the narrow path which leads to life, or I have been refraining from them for a time only, to turn again and relish them more than ever. God grant that the latter may 28 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. never be my unhappy case. Though I feel myself to be full of sin and destitute of all strength to persevere, yet if I know anything, I do desire to live a life of strict religion, to enjoy the presence of God, ana honor the cause to which I have })rofessedly devoted myself. I do not desire my portion in this world. I find more real enjoyment in contrition for sin, excited b}^ a view of the adorable moral perfections of God, than in all earthly joys. I find more solid happiness in one even- ing meeting, when divine truths are impressed on my heart by the powerful influences of the Holy S])irit, than I ever enjoyed in all the balls and assemblies I have attended during the seventeen years of my life. Thus when I compare my present views of divine things, with what they were, at this time last year, I cannot but hope I am a new creature, and have begun to live a new life. ^^ April 11. Now I know that God is a prayer hearing God. When I retired this evening, to spend sometime in prayer, I found I had no heart to pray. I could pray for nothing but a spirit of prayer ; when, contrPTy to all my expectations, my feelings were suddenly changed, and I obtained great freedom of access to the mercy seat. I felt it good to draw near to God, and pour out my soul before him. Astonish- ing love and unbounded benevolence in the infinite God, thus to let his creatures come near, and par- take of the happmess whicli he himself enjoys. O Jesus, make me humble ; let me love thee more, and be daily more devoted to thy dear cause. '•'■ Jipril 12. Sabbath. Have this holy day en- joyed the privilege of commemorating the dying love of Christ O how condescending did the divine Re- deemer appear ! I felt my heart drawn out in love to God for his great goodness to the children of men. Five new members were added to the church. How animating to see so many come over to the Lord's side, and subscribe to be liis ! And was I in- deed called at an early age, called in the bloom of youth, to be a partaker of the grace of God ? I, who MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 29 was opposed to everything' good — who was a faith fu! servant of the adversary of souls? How easily might I have been left to go on in my own chosen way, till repentance was too late. How earnestly do I now desire to live entirely devoted to the ser- vice of Christ, to express my gratitude, by keeping his commands, and living near to him. But, alar--' notwithstanding all he has done for me, so depraved Is my heart, and so inclined to every evil, that I sliaii wander from God, grieve his spirit, wound his cause, and destroy my soul, unless kept by his miglity power. On sovereign grace alone I rely f(ir grace and strength to persevere. " 18. Too much engaged in worUlly things. Worldly thoughts will creep in, and destroy my re- ligious comfort. I liave much to make me constant- ly devoted, yet I am comparatively stupid. I am surrounded by a wicked world, where vice and im- morality are prevailing, and very little real religion to be found. Lord, take care of thine own cause, and let not the enemy be exalted over thy people. O take care of thy children, and animate them with thy presence in the wilderness. " These extracts are sufficient to show the exercises of her mind, for some months after her conversion. We have omitted a considerable portion, because our space is limited, and because we think that much caution ought to be used, in disclosing to the pu-b- lic eye the private feelings of the Christian. In the bosom of every true believer hope predominates ; but many causes oflen throw a cloud over his joys, and sometimes obscure the brightness of hope itself.* At such times he may doubt that he is a Cliris- tian ; and if he records or utters his feelings, they have a tone of sadness and despondency, which is in * These causes sometimes have tlieir origin in the disorders of the body. Dr. Johnson, Cowpf^r, and others, are examples of tlie power of disease to disturb the mind, and interrupt tlie tran- quil tenor of religioius enjoyments. 80 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. melancholy contrast with the state of his mfnJ at other times, when the candle ofthe Lord shines upon his head. Some Christians, too, possess a sanguine temperament, Avhich impels them continually to ex- tremes. A journal of their daily experience would depict them, on one day, as rejoicing and steadfast believers, and on the next, perhaps, as harassed with doubts, not only of their personal piety, but of the truth of Christianity itself; it would show them, at one time, as fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, and at another, as criminally conformed to this world. It may, perhaps, be sometimes useful to the Chris- tian to peruse such statements of the feelings of others ; because they inform him that his own joys and sorrows correspond with those of other Chris- tians, and that occasional doubts and fears are not incompatible with genuine piety and prevailing hope. God himself has seen fit to give us, in his word, the spiritual exercises of several eminent saints, and es- pecially of David, who seems to have been placed in almost every variety of human condition, and to have been visited with trials of every kind to which our nature is subject, that he might be an example to all future saints, and that his feelings and experi- ence, as displayed in his Psalms, might comfort and instruct the church in every age. But the complaints and self-reproaches of uninspir- ed saints, may possibly be injurious to some profes- sors of religion, by lowering the standard of piety, and appeasing their consciences for their own defi- ciencies. And the enemies of religion, are liable to regard them as inexplicable inconsistences, and as proofs that religion is the parent of melancholy, and is devoid of permanent and tranquil happiness. The fallowing letter of Mrs. J. written at an ear- ly period of her religions life, shows how correctly she thought, in relation to the exercises of a renewed heart. She here explains the cause of much of her own darkness of mind, and self distrust. Growth in grace requires an increasing acq naintance with the MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. SI nature of sin, and of our unworthinf'ss; ami this knowledge will be likely to darken and distress the mind, unless faith be slronj]:, and the eflicacy of the atonement be very clearly discerned. TO MISS L. K. " Newlmry, SepL 3), 1S07. *' You requested me, dear L, to write soon after my return. With pleasure I comply, as it fixes you in my imag^ination, and gives me sensations almost as pleasing' as a verbal intercourse. O may that Spirit which unites the hearts oC the children of God in love, direct my thoughts, and guide my pen to write that Avhich may be useful in our journey to another world. You ask, " what are the evidences of growth in grace. " From reading the lives of pious people, and the word of God, I have come to the following conclusion, though different from my ideas formerly. " A person who grows in grace will see more and more of the dreadful wickedness of his heart; of its opposition to everything good; and of its deceitful- ness and fickleness. When Isaiah saw more of God and his glory, his first expressions were not — I am more like God, because I have seen more of him; but his langTiage was this, IVo is me, for I am undovCy because I am a man ofuncleun lips. The more grace Christians h.ave, the more clearly they can see the contrast between holiness and sin; and while it leads them to hunger, thirst and strive for the one, it leads them to loathe, abhor, and mourn for the other. Growth in grace will consequently lead them to know more about Jesus Christ, and the great need they have of him for a whole Saviour. He will appear to them daily more needful as a prophet, priest, and kmg, his character more lovely, and his spirit more desirable. They also feel more the worth of souls. As they are convinced daily of the dreadful nature of sin, so they will feel more anxious to save sin- ners from tlie consequences of it. This will nee- 32 MEMOIR OV MRS. JUDSON. essarily lead them to pray more often, earnestly arwl ierven'tly, give themx a disrelish for the vanities of the world, and a sincere and hearty desire to devote all they have to him, and serve him entirely. But one great evidence is not yet mentioned, perhaps the greatest. They will be constantly watching, and endeavouring to find Avhether they grow in grace. They will watch their improvement from time to mne, in every portion of Holy Writ which they read, every sermon they hear, and the providences Avhich (xxur, either afflictive or the contrary. " These, dear L, are my ideas respecting the sub- ject. There are many other evidences, but these are sufficient, if true, to convince us whether we make any improvement in a divine life. If we have made none, under the rich cultivation we have en- joyed, then we may be sure we are unacquaint- ed with that path which is as a shining light, which shinelh more and more unto the perfect day." Mrs. Judson, early in her religious life, showed her desire to be useful to her fellow men. Her ac- tive mind was not satisfied without some efl^brt to benefit those around her. She accordingly engaged, soon after this period, in the occupation of instruct- ing a school, impelled mainly by the desire to be use- ful. There are few situations, which furnish better opportunities of imparting permanent benefit, than that of the instructer of a school. In New Eng- land, this office is regarded with a good degree of the honorable estimation to Avhich it is entitled; and it is to be Avished, that a larger number of educated young ladies would employ themselves in a service so beneficial to their own minds, and so vitally impor- tant to the rising generation. The following extract from Mrs. Judson's journal, dated May 12, 1807, shows the conscientious princi- ples which actuated her; and proves that her mind was thus early sAvayed by the resolution to live rwt unto herself, but to Him who died for her, and rose again. Her zeal for the spiritual welfare of otlieis. MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 95 and her dccisiim of character, are here seen, in a very striking light: " Have taken charge of a few scholars. Ever since I have had a comfortable hope in Christ, I have desired to devote myself to him, m such a way, as to be useful to my fellow creatures. As Providence has placed me in a situation of life, where I have an opportunity of getting as good an education as I de- sire, I feel it would be higldy criminal in me not to improve it. I feel, also, that it would be equally criminal to desire to be well educated and accom- plished, from selfish motives, with a view merely to gratify my taste and relish for improvement, or my pride in being qualified to shine. I therefore resolved last winter, to attend the academy, from no other motive, than to improve the talents bestowed by God, so as to be more extensively devoted to his glory, and the benefit of my fellow creatures. On being lately requested to take a small school, for a few montlis, I felt very unqualified to have the charge of little immortal souls; but the hope of doing them good, by endeavouring to impress their young and tender minds with divine truth, and the obligation I feel, to try to be useful, have induced me to comply. I was enabled to open the school with prayer. Though the cross was very great, I felt constrained, by a sense of duty, to take it up. The little crea- tures seemed astonished at such a beginning. Prob- ably some of them had never heard a prayer before. O may 1 have grace to be faithful in instructing these little immortals, in such a way as shall be pleasing to my heavenly Father." She was engaged, at intervals, for several years, m teaching schools in diflerent towns.* She was al- ways diligent and faithful in her endeavours to en- ligliten the minds and to f(3rm the manners of her pupils ; but she regarded the fear of the Lord as the oeginning of wisdom; and she strove to guide her * She taught schools in Salem, Haverhill, and Newbury 84 MEMOtR OP MRS. JUDSON. dear pupils to the Saviour. She felt herself to be iiitrnst;hl, in some measure, with the charge of their souls; and she watched for tiiem as one that must give account. It is believed, that her prayers and edbrts were not in vain; and that some of her pupils in this country will mingle their praises before the throne of the Redeemer, with those of ransomed Burmans, adoring him for her instrumentality in leading them to repentance and faith in his name. From her journal we select a few additional ex- tracts, which will show the state of her feelings, and the progress of her piety. '^ June 12. For a week or two past, have had very little enjoyment in religion, and almost every duty has appeared burdensome. But, praised be God, I have enjoyed much, yesterday and to-day. I find, that reading the exercises of Miss Anthony has a great tendency to humble me, and quicken my spiritual life. I long to possess her spirit, and be as much engaged in the service of God, as that dear saint was. I feel an attachment to her, stronger than I ever felt for any person, while I was in an unconverted state. If love to the children of God is an evidence of having been born again, I have reason to think, that this is my happy case. I know that I love Christians, and love those most, who are most actively engaged in the cause of Christ; and at the throne of grace, I feel at times, my soul drawn out in love to them, and in as ardent desires for their spiritual welfare, as for my own. " 17. Have had some deep sense of religion thifj day. Read the life of Dr. Hopkins, of Newport. Find much edification and happiness in reading such books. In the evening had much conversation with some of the family on the subject of religion. Ap- pearances rather encouraging. " 18. Have enjoyed much to-day, while reading and meditating on the distinguishing doctrines of grace. My heart acquiesced and rejoiced in them. If I enjoy comfort in anything, it is when I have a MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 55 realizing sense of God's holy character. I feel hap- py, when I reflect that God will overrule all things for the promotion of his own glory. In my walk, this evening, my thoughts were intensely fixed on the greatness and majesty of the Supreme Being, and on the numberless sins I have committed against him. Then they turned to the glorious way of salvation, which this great and most gracious Being has provided. I desired to give myself entirely to Christ, have him for my Prophet, Priest, and King, be entirely devoted to him, and give him all the glory of my salvation. O Jesus, ever give me such views of thyself, as shall entirely take away my thoughts from this vain world. '^ July 6. It is just a year, this day, since I entertained a hope in Christ. About this time in the evening, when reflecting on the words of the lepers. If we enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there ; and if we sit still here, we die also, I felt that if I returned to the world, I should surely perish ; if I staid where I then was, I should perish ; and I could but perish, if 1 threw myself on the mercy of Christ. Then came light, and relief, and comfort, such as I never knew before. O how little have I grown in grace, since that time. How little engaged in reUgion am I now, compared to what I was then. Then the world had not the least share in my thoughts or heart. Noth- ing but religion engrossed my aflfections, and I thought that nothing else ever would. But though my heart is treacherous, I trust that I have some evidence of being a true Christian ; for when conteni- plating the moral perfections of God, my heart is pleasepcar truly romantic. The grass and fields of rice are perlectly green, and herds of cattle are everywhere feeding on the banks of the river, and the natives are scattered about, differently employed. Some are fishing, some driving the team, and many are sitting indolently on the banks of the river. The pagodas we have passed, are much handsomer and larger than the houses. Notwithstanding the scene is so pleasant, on account of the works of nature, yet it is truly melancholy when we rellect, that these creatures, so numerous, so harmless, have immortal souls, and like us are destined to the eternal world — and yet have none to tell them of Christ. I suppose the natives that live on these shores, for many miles, have never seen a Missionary. I should be happy to come and live among them, in one of their little houses, if it was as large a field for usefulness as some others. There are many elegant English seats near the shore. We are within four or five miles of Calcutta. When w^e get there I will write you again. O what reason have we to be thankful, for so pleasant, so prosperous a voyage. There is seldom a voyage so short as ours — we have not yet been out four months. I hope God will make us useful, and keep us near to himseff." "Well, Abigail, here we are safe in Calcutta har- bour, and almost stunned w^th the noise of the natives. Mr. Judson has gone on shore, to find a place for us to go. This city is by far the most elegant of any I have ever seen. Many ships are lying at anchor, and hundreds of natives all around. They are dressed very curiously with white, hanging loosely over their shoulders. But I have not time to describe anj^thing at present. We have plenty of fruit on board. The bananas are a very delicious fruitj they taste much like a rich pear. 6* 66 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. " Thursdmj. Harriet and I are yet on board the vessel, and have not been on land. Mr. Jndson did not return yesterday, until the evening", and had not gained permission from the Police office to live in the country, consequently we could not go on shore. Mr. J. and Mr. Newell are gone again to-day, and what will he their success, 1 know not. The East India Company are violently opposed to Missions, and liave barely given liberty to their own countrymen to settle here as preachers. We have nothing to expect from man, and everything from God. I think I never have felt more confidence in God, to protect and di- rect this Mission, than this morning. If he has any- thing for us to do here, he will doubtless open a door for our entrance; if not, he will send us to some oth- er place. We have given ourselves to him, devoted ourselves to his service, and have every reason, from past experience of his mercy, still to trust and confide in his goodness. O my dyar sister, what a source of happiness and comfort, that God reigns, even on these heathen sliores of darkness and wretchedness. Cap- tain Heard has just come on board, and given us a very polite invitation to go to the house lie has pro- cured for himself on shore. The politeness and kind- ness of this man have been remarkable. Tliroughout our passage, he has treated us with every possible at- tention, and made it much more comfortable than it otherwise would have been. O, live near to God in a Christian land, and think, feel, and pray much for the millions Avho are perishing for the want of the knowledge of a Saviour. So little time as we have to live in this world, must be improved to the best advantage. We shall soon meet in the eternal world, and then the more we have done lor Christ, the hap pier we shall be." MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 67 CHAPTER IV. Difficulties witli the Bengal Government — Mr. and Mrs. Judson and Mr. Rice become Baptists. On the 18th of June, 1312, the Missionaries land- ed at Calcutta, where they were met and welcomed to India, hy the venerable Dr. Carey. He immedi- ately invited them to Seram})ore, to reside in the mission family, until the other Missionaries, in the Harmony, should arrive.* They accordingly stayed one night in Calcutta, and the next morning, they took a boat, and went up the river, fdteen miles, to Serampore. Here they were received with the ut- most kindness by the mission family. Mrs. J. speaks, in warm terms, of the piety, industry, economy, and order, which distinguished the operations at that great missionary establishment. Messrs. Carey, Marshman, and Ward, then resided there with their families. Dr. Carey Avas employed in translating the Scriptures; Dr. Marshman, his wife, and son, taught a male and female school. JNIr. Ward superintended the extensive j)rinting establishment. The following letter of Mrs. J. contains some in- teresting particulars: TO HER SISTER. " Serampore Mission-House. " I have left your letter, my dear sister M. until the last, to continue my narrative to the family. I con- cluded A's with saying. Captain Heard had just invit- ed us to go to his house. Mr. Judson came on board with an invitation from Dr Carey to spend the night with him. I got into a palankeen — Mr. Judson walk- ed to the house. It was with considerable fear I rode, * The Harmony arrived six weeks after the Caravan. Km MEiMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. as the streets were full of natives and English car- riages. Those who carried me Avent so much faster than Mr. Judson, that I soon lost sight of him, and did not know where they w^ould carry me. They, however, stopped before a large stone building, which I soon found to be Dr. Carey's house. We were di- rected up a pair of stairs, through one or two large rooms, into his study. He arose, shook hands with us, and gave us a cordial welcome to this country. His house is curiously constructed, as the other Eu- ropean houses are here. There are no chimneys or fire-places in them, the roofs are flat, the rooms twen- ty feet in height, and proportionably large. Large windows, without glass, open from one room to another, that the air may freely circulate through the house. They are very convenient for this hot cli- mate, and bear every mark of antiquity. In the evening we attended meeting in the English Episco- pal Church. It was the first time of our attending meeting for above four months, and as we entered tlie church, our ears were delighted with hearing the or- gan play our old favorite tune, Bangor. The church was very handsome, and a number of punkahs,some- thing like a fan several yards in length, hung around, with ropes fastened to the outside, which were pulled by some of the natives, to keep the church cool. We spent the night at Dr. Carey's, and were rejoic- ed to find ourselves once more in a house on land. Very near the house, is a charity school, supported by this mission, in which are instructed two hundred boys and nearly as many girls. They are chiefly children of Portuguese parents, and natives of no cast. We could see them all kneel in prayer time, and hear them sing at the opening of the school. It was really affecting to see these poor children, picked up in the streets, learning to sing the praise and read the w^ord of God. " While at Dr. C.'s w^e saw a wedding procession pass. The bridegroom w^as carried in a palanlceen, with flowers in his hands, and on his head. He MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 69 ap^jearecl to be about ten years of age. The proces- BJon were dressed in uniform, with large branches of flowers, and instruments of music. The Hindoos are frequently married when children, the contract being made by their parents. In the afternoon, we left Calcutta, for Serampore, having previously receiv- ed an invitation from the Missionaries to reside with them, until our brethren arrive. We were met at the water side by Messrs. Marshman and Ward, wlio led us to the house, and introduced us to their wives. They received us very cordially. The school kept by Mrs. Marshman consists almost entirely of the child- ren belonging to the mission, and European young ladies. They are taught various kinds of needle- work, embroidery, &c. and study the languages. Mrs. Marshman's eldest daughter, fourteen years of age, reads and writes Bengalee and English; and has advanced some way in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. The three families live in separate houses, but all eat together, in a large hall in the mission-house. The bell rings at five in the morning, for the boys to arise for school. Again at eight, for breakfast. Immedi- ately after breakfast, we all assemble in the chapel, for prayers. Begin with singing a hymn, in which most of the children join; read a chapter in the Bible, and conclude with prayer. On the Sabbath, they have worship in English, from eleven till one; In Bengalee, for the natives, in the afternoon, and in English again in the evening. Monday evening they have a reUgious conference for the native brethren and sisters. Tuesday morning an hour is spent in explaining passages of Scripture. Thursday and Saturday evenings, in conference meetings. These Missionaries are eminently pious as well as learned. The garden is as far superior to any in America, as the best garden in America is to a common farmer's. It consists of several acres, under the highest state of cultivation. Fruits of various kinds, plants, flow ers and vegetables, grow here in great abundance. The pine-apple grows on a low bush, the plantain on 70 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. a tall stalk, and the cocoa-nut on a high tree, resem bVing our pine tree. " The third day after we came here, there was a celebration of the worship of Juggernaut. We went about ten in the morning. The immense multitude of natives assembled on the occasion, and the noise they made, answered to the account Buchanan gave. The idol was set on the top of a stone building. He is only a lump of wood, his face painted with large black eyes, and a large red mouth. He was taken from his temple, and water poured on him to bathe him. This is introductory to a more solemn act of worship, which will be performed a fortnight hence. After these poor deluded creatures had bathed their god, they proceeded to bathe themselves. Poor, miserable, deluded beings, they know not what they do. O Mary! the inhabitants of America know nothing of poverty, slavery and wretchedness, com- pared with the natives of India. So very numerous, they cannot get employ; and when they do, they are treated by Europeans like beasts more than hke men. Many of them die for the want of nourishment. Add to all this, they are ignorant of the only way of salvation. Who would not pity the poor heathen, and rejoice to contribute their mite to reUeve some of their distresses!" After they had been here about ten days, Messrs. Judson and Newell were summoned to Calcutta, and an order of the government was read to them, re- quiring them immediately to leave the country, and return to America. The government of India, at that time, were resolutely opposed to missions. Their motives we need not now canvass. The charter of the East India Company, which was renewed in 1813, was so amended in its passage through Parliament, by the zealous exertions of Wilberforce, Smith, Thornton, Fuller, and other friends of Christ in Great Britain, as to secure toleration for missionary efforts. The British possessions in the East were • MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 71 constituted an Episco})al See, and placed under the superintendence of a 13isliop, and three Archdeacons. The Rev. Dr. Middleton was the first Bishop, and was succeeded by Bishi)p Heber, who lias since died. It is just to say, that a great change of feehng has taken place among the officers of government, and the European residents in India. Their fears con- cerning the effects of missionary operations have sub- sided, and they are disposed to favor and promote them. This order was a very alarming and distressing one. The thought of returning, without accomplish- ing, in any degree, their object, was insupportable. The instructions of the Board of Commissioners, when they lefl America, directed them to fix the seat of their mission in the Burman empire, unless circum- stances should render it inexpedient to attempt it. All the Missionaries, however, thought it impractica- ble to establish a mission there. The despotic char- acter of the government, and the failure of all previ- ous attempts to introduce the Gospel into that empire, induced them to renounce the idea of a Burman mis- sion. Mr. Nott, in a letter to a friend, said, "The Burman empire seems at present out of tfie question." Mrs. Newell, in her journal, July 16, 1812, says: " We cannot feel that we are called in providence to go to Burmah. Every account we have from that savage, barbarous nation, confirms us in our opinion, that the way is not prepared for the spread of the Gospel there." They therefore petitioned for leave to go to the Isle of France, which was granted; and Mr. and Mrs. Newell sailed about the 1st of August. A.S the vessel could accommodate but two passengers, Mr. and Mrs. Judson remained in Calcutta two months longer. They were entertained with the most liberal hospitality, at the house of Mr. Rolt, an English gentleman; and the treatment which they received from other Christian friends was kind and soothing to their feelings, amid their difficulties. About this time, Mrs. Judson wrote the following letter to her sisters; i^ MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. " Calcutta, Aug. 23, 1812. •• My dear Sisters, " A melancholy pleasure pervades my mind, when [ take up my pen to address those whom I love, and whom I never expect to meet again in this world. When thinking of my friends and much loved native land, I frequently join Avith Ossian in saying, ' There is a joy in grief, when peace dwells in the breast of the sad.' Grief for the deprivation of my friends, 1 love to indulge; and I find every such indulgence binds them more closely to my heart. Can I forget thee, O my country ? Can I forget the scenes of child- hood, and the more endearing scenes of riper years? Can I forget the parental roof, sisters, companions, and associates of my life? No, never! Never, till this pulse ceases to beat, this heart to feel. Yet, my dear girls, think not, that I am habitually melancholy, or regret having left my native land. 1 never was hap- pier, never was more cheerful, and never more satis- fied in having engaged in my arduous undertaking." The following paragraph, from the same letter, is quoted here, because the opinion of Mrs. Judson, on the subject referred to, is entitled to much weight, and applies, with equal force, to almost every heathen country: " Good female schools are extremely needed in this country. I hope no Missionary will ever come out here, Avithout a wife, as she, in her sphere, can be equally useful with her husband. I presume Mrs. Marshman does more good in her school than half the ministers in America." An event occurred, at this time, which it is neces- sary to state. Mr. and Mrs. Judson, and Mr. Rice, whose minds were led, during the voyage from Amer- ica, to a consideration of the subject of baptism, be- came convinced, soon after their arrival in India, that MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 73 their former sentiments were imscriptural. They according-ly adopted Baptist principles, and were bap- tized in Calcutta. This change is interestino: in itself, and in its consequences; for it resulted in the estab- lishment of the Burman Mission, and in the formation of the Baptist General Convention in the United States. The great Head of the church seems to have made this a leading event in that series of causes which aroused the Baptist Churclies in America, to the duty of engaging in Foreign Missions. The progress of this change in the opinions of Mr. and Mrs. Judson will be related, without com- ment, in their own words. It is due to them to prove, undeniably, that it was the result of a thorough and deliberate investigation; that it was a simple obedience to what they believed to be the truth; and that it cost them sacrifices of feeling and of interest, of which persons less pious would have been incapable. From Mrs. Judson's journal and letters a few extracts will be made, which will sufficiently establish these points. A letter, written after her arrival at the Isle of France, says: " I will now, my dear parents and sisters, give you some account of our change of sentiment, relative to the subject of Baptism. Mr. Judson's doubts commenced while on our passage from America. While translating the New Testament, in which he was engaged, he used frequently to say, that the Baptists were right in their mode of administering the ordinance. Knowing he should meet the Baptists at Serampore, he felt it important to attend to it more closely, to be able to defend his sentiments. After our arrival at Serampore, his mind for two or three weeks was so much taken up with missionary inqui- ries, and our difficulties with government, as to pre- vent his attending to the subject of baptism. But as we were waiting the arrival of our brethren, ami having nothing in particular to attend to, he again took up the subject. I tried to have him give it up, 7 74 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. and rest satisfied in his old sentiments, and frequent- ly told him if he became a Baptist, I would not. He, however, said he felt it his duty to examine closely a subject on which he had so many doubts. After we removed to Calcutta, he found in the library in our chamber, many books on both sides, which he determined to read candidly and prayerfully, and to hold fast, or embrace the truth, however mortify- ing-, hoAvever great the sacrifice. I now commenced reading on the subject, with all my prejudices on the Pedobaptist side. We had with us Dr. Worcester's, Dr. Austin's, Peter Edwards', and other Pedobaptist writings. But after closely examining the subject for several weeks, we were constrained to acknow- ledge that the truth appeared to lie on the Baptists' side. It was extremely trying to reflect on the con- sequences of our becoming Baptists. We knew it would wound and grieve our dear Christian friends in America — tliat we should lose their approbation and esteem. We thought it probable the Commis- sioners would refuse to support us; and what was more distressing than anything, wekneAV we must be separated from our missionary associates, and go alone to some heathen land. These things were very trying to us, and caused our hearts to bleed for an- guish. We felt we had no home in this world, and no friend but each other. Our friends at Serampore were extremely surprised when we wrote them a letter requesting baptism, as they had known nothing of our having had any doubts on the subject. We were baptized on the 6th of September, in the Baptist chapel in Calcutta. Mr. J. preached a sermon at Calcutta on this subject soon after we were baptized, Avhich, in compliance with the request of a number who heard it, he has been preparing for the press. Brother Rice was baptized several weeks after we were. It was a very great relief to our minds to have him join us, as Ave expected to be entirely alone in a mission." MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 75 The day after her baptism, she wrote to her parents an acconnt of the progress of their inquiries on the Bubject, in which she mentions some additional par- ticulars : " Mr. J. resolved to examine it candidly and prayer* fully, let the result be what it would. No one in the mission family knew the state of his mind, as they never conversed with any of us on this subject. I was very fearful he would become a Baptist, and frequently suggested the unhappy consequences if he should. He always answered, that his duty compel- led him to examine the subject, and he hoped he should have a disposition to embrace the truth , though he paid dear for it. I always took the Pedobaptists' side in reasoning with him, although I was as doubtful of the truth of their system as he. After we came to Calcutta, he devoted his whole time to reading on this subject, having obtained the best authors on both sides. After having examined and reexamined the subject, in every way possible, and comparing the sentiments of both Baptists and Pedobaptists with the Scriptures, he was compelled, from a crnviction of the truth, to embrace those of the former. I con- fined my attention almost entirely to the Scriptures, compared the Old with the New Testament, and tried to find something to favor infant baptism, but was convinced it had no foundation there, f examined the covenant of circumcision, and could SH'eno reason for concluding that baptism was to be administered to children, because circumcision was. Thus, my dear parents and sisters, we are both confirmed Baj)- tists, not because we wished to be, but because truth compelled us to be. A renunciation of our former sentiments has caused us more pain, than anything which ever happened to us through our lives." Several extracts from her journal will more fully disclose her feelings at this time, and will show how reluctantly she came to the result: 76 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. "Aug. 10. Besides the trials occasioned by the orders of government, I see another heavy trial just coming upon me. Mr. J.'s mind has been for some- time much exercised in regard to baptism. He has been lately examining the subject more closely. All his prejudices are in favor of Pedobaptism; but he wishes to know the truth, and be guided in the path of duty. If he should renounce his former senti- ments, he must offend his friends at home, hazard his reputation, and, what is still more trying, be sepa- rated from his missionary associates. " 23. I have been much distressed the week past, in view of the probable separation between our missionary brethren and ourselves. Mr. J. feels convinced from Scripture, that he has never been baptized, and that he cannot conscientiously adminis- ter baptism to infants. This change of sentiment must necessarily produce a separation. As we are perfectly united with our brethren in every other respect, and are much attached to them, it is inex- pressibly painful to leave them, and go alone to a separate station. But every sacrifice that duty requires, must be made. I do not myself feel satisfied on the subject of baptism, having never given it a thorough examination. But I see many difficulties in the Pedobaptist theory, and must ac- knowledge tbat the face of Scripture does favor the Baptist sentiments. I intend to persevere in exam- ining the subject, and hope that I shall be disposed to embrace the truth, whatever it may be. It is painfully mortifying to my natural feelings, to think seriously of renouncing a system which 1 have been taught from infancy to believe and respect. O that the Spirit of God may enlighten and direct my mind — may prevent my retaining an old error, or embracing a new one ! " Sept. 1. I have been examining the subject ot baptism for sometime past, and, contrary to my prejudices and my wishes, am compelled to believe, that believers' baptism alone is found in Scripture. MEMOIR OP MRS. JUDSON. 77 If ever I soujjht to know the truth; if ever I looked up to the Father of hghts; if ever I gave uj) myself to the ins])ired word, I have done so durin*^ this investigation. And the result is, that, laying aside my former prejudices and systems, and fairly appeal- ing to the Scriptures, I feel convinced that nothing really can be said in favor of infant baptism or sprinkling. We expect soon to he hapti/ed. O may our hearts be prej)ared for that holy ordinance! and as we are baptized into a profession of Christ, may we put on Christ, and walk worthy of the high vocation wherewith we are called. But in consequence of our ])erformance of this duty, we must make some very painful sacrifices. We must be separated from our dear missionary associates, and labor alone in some isolated spot. We must expect to be treated with contem])t, and cast off by many of our American friends — forfeit the charac- ter we liave in our native land, and probably have to labor for our own support, wherever we are sta- tioned. O, our Heavenly Father, wilt thou be our friend. Wilt thou protect us, enable us to live to thy glory, and make us useful in some retired part of this eastern world, in leading a few precious souls to embrace that Saviour whom we love and desire to serve. " 5. Every week and day convinces me of the goodness and care of my Heavenly Father. When prospects are dark and gloomy, when my soul is cast down with distressing apprehensions, he leads me to feel my dependence on him, and lean on the bosom of Infinite Love. I am now willing to acquiesce in the divine dealings with us, and go alone with Mr. J. to that place which providence shall direct. I feel confident that Jesus will go with us, and direct our steps; and in that case, it is of little consequence whether we have more or less socJety. When I consider how short my life will probably be, and how soon the eternal world will open to my view, I wonder at mvself for having 7* 78 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. had so much anxiety about the place where, and the circumstances in which, I shall spend these few days. O for a true missionary spirit, and a willingness to suffer all things for the cause of Christ. " Oct. 2. Have had an uncommon sense of divine things, for sometime past, and found great consolation in committing all my cencerns into the hands of a faithful God. For seveial days my mind has been so much impressed with the goodness of God, that I could not help repeating to myself, How good is God ! O for such an habitual sense of his moral perfections as banishes all anxiety and dis- trust. '^Nov. 1. Sabbath. Another opportunity of cele- brating the love of Jesus at his table. It has been a sweet season to my soul, a season of renewed dedication of myself to his service. I never saw a more striking display of the love of God, than was manifested in those who came around the commu- nion table, and who have been emphatically called from the highways and hedges — Hindoos and Por- tuguese, Armenians and Musselmans, could join with Europeans and Americans, in commemorating the dying love of Jesus. Surely nothing but divine grace could have removed prejudices, early and in- veterate, from the minds of these different charac- ters, and united them in the same sentiments and pursuits. "Brother Rice was this day baptized. He has been examining the subject for sometime, and final- ly became convinced that it was his duty to be bap- tized in Christ's appointed way. I consider it a singular favor, that God has given us one of our brethren to be our companion in travels, our associ- ate and fellow laborer in missionary work." Mr. Judson, in a letter to Dr. Bolles, of Salem, dated Calcutta, September 1, 1812, says: " Within a few months I have experienced an entire change of sentiments on the subject of Bap- MEMOIR OF MRS JUUSON, 79 tism. My doubts concerning the correctness of my former system of belief, commenced during my pas- sage from America to this countr\ ; and after many painful trials, which none can know, but those Avho are taught to relinquish a system in which they had been educated, I settled down in the full j)ersuasion, that the immersion of a professing believer in Christ is the only Christian Baptism. "Mrs. Judson is united with me in this persua- sion. We hav^e signified our views and wishes to the Baptist Missionaries at Serampore, and expect to be baptized in this city next Lord's-day. "A separation from my missionary brethren, and a dissolution of my connexion with the Board of Commissioners, seem to be necessary consequences. The Missionaries at Serampore are exerting them- selves to the utmost of their ability, in managing and supporting their extensive and complicated mis- sion. " Under these circumstances, I look to you. Alone, in this foreign, heathen land, I make my appeal to those, whom, with their permission, I will call my Baptist brethren \ii the United States." The Baptist Missionaries at Serampore had no agency in producing this change. Dr. Carey, in a letter to Dr. Staughton, dated Oct. 20, 1812, says: " Since their arrival in Bengal, brother and sister Judson hav^e been baptized. Judson has since that preached the best sermon upon Baptism, that I ever heard on the subject, which we intend to print.* I yesterday heard that brother Rice had also fully made up his mind upon baptism. " As none of us had conversed with brother Jud- son before he showed strong sympt(jms of a tenden- cy towards believers' baptism, I inquired of him what had occasioned the change. He told me, that on the voyage he had thought much about the circum- ♦ Four editions of this Sermon Ii;ivc been publisbefi in Boston. 80 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. stances that he was coming to Serampore, where all were Baptists; that he should, in all probability, have occasion to defend intant sprinkling among us; and that, in consequence, he set himself to examine into the grounds of Pedobaptism. This ended in a conviction, that it has no foundation in the Word of God, and occasioned a revolution in his sentiments, which was nearly complete before he arrived in India. He mentioned his doubts and convictions to Mrs. J. which operated to her conviction also, and they were both of them publicly baptized at Calcutta. I expect, however, that he will give the account of this change in an appendix to his sermon, which will, of course, be more correct than my statement. " Brother Rice was, on the voyage, thought by our brethren to be the most obstinate friend of Pedo- baptism, of any of the Missionaries. I cannot tell what has led to this change of sentiment, nor had I any suspicion of it, till one morning, when he came before I was up, to examine my Greek Testament: from some questions which he asked that morning, I began to suspect that he was inquiring; but I yes- terday heard that he was decidedly on the side of believers' baptism. I expect, therefore, that he wili soon be baptized." These extracts have been made, for the purpose of silencing forever the imputation of unworthy mo- tives, which some persons have attributed to these Missionaries. If a change of opinion was ever made deliberately and conscientiously, it was this. Eve- ry possible motive but the fear of God and the love of truth, impelled them in the opposite direction. The difficulties of their situation were greatly in- creased by their change of sentiment. Their con- nexion with the American Board of Commissioners, they considered as dissolved. They could expect no further support from that Board; and they could not be sure that their Baptist brethren would aid them. They could not stay in Hindostan, and yet MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 81 they resolved to devote themselves ts missionary lahors, if any position could he found, where they might stay and toil. At one time, they thought it expedient to attemj)t a mission in South America; and Mr. Judson commenced the study of the Por- tuguese language. Japan, Persia, Madagascar, and otlier countries, were thought of, as fields for mis- sionary efforts. Mr. Judson had long regarded Burmah as the most desirable station; but it seemed inexpedient, at that time, to attempt to establish a mission there. The following extract of a letter from Mrs. Judson, dated Calcutta, September 19, will show in what light the design was regarded, and will increase the evidence which many other events afliird, that a special providence conducted them to Rangoon, contrary to their expectations, and to all apparent probabilities: "We had almost concluded to go to the Burman empire, when we heard there were fresh difficulties existing between the English and the Burman gov- ernment. If these difficulties are settled, I think it probable we shall go there. It presents a very ex- tensive field for usefulness, containing seventeen millions of inhabitants; — and the Scriptures have never been translated into their language. This circumstance is a very strong inducement to Mr. Judson to go there, as there is no other place where he could be equally useful in translating. But our privations and dangers would be great. There, are no bread, potatoes, butter, and very little animai food. The natives live principally on rice and fish. I should have no society at all, except Mr. J. for there is not an English female in all Rangoon. Bi>t I could easily give up these comforts, if the gov- ernment was such as to secure safety to its subjects. "But where our lives would depend on the cap- rice of a monarch, or of those who have the power of life and death, we could never feel safe, unless we always had strong faith in God. Notwithstand- 82 MEMOIR OP MRS. JUDSON. ing thc^se difficulties, we are perfectly Avilling to go, if Providence opens the Avay. Mr. Judson has writ- ten to Mr. Chater, at Ceyh)n, to get all the infor- mation respecting that place he can. Felix Carey has lately arrived from Rangoon, and wishes us to return with him, as he is entirely alone, there be- ing no other Missionary in all Burmah. Mr. Jud- son and myself enjoy perfect health, and yet this is the most fatal month in the year, and is consid- ered more sickly this year, than many years before. All our brethren have been sick with fevers, but are getting better. Why we are thus distinguished with such uncommon health, we know not, but can only ascribe it to the sovereign mercy of our Heav- enly Father. We are still at Mr. Rolfs, in Cal- cutta, where we are treated with the greatest kind- ness. I hope these favors will not induce us to forget our great object, or make us less engaged in our mission, than when we were deprived of them. Mr. J. and myself spend the greater part of our time alone, and endeavour to realize the greatness of the work in which we have engaged — our depen- dence on God for success and direction — and the shortness and uncertainty of Hfe." The following letter to her parents shows that they were still "perplexed, but not in despair — persecuted, but not forsaken." " Calcutta, Oct. 9, 1812. " My dear and honored Parents, "I know you wish to hear from us every opportu- nity; and to hear of our continued prosperity will afford you peculiar pleasure. When we reflect on the goodness and mercy of our Heavenly Father to us since we left our native land, we are filled with wonder and gratitude, and feel the obligations these distin- guished favors lay us under, of renewedly devoting ourselves to his service. We view his hand in leading us by a way we knew not, and in raising MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 83 lis up friends where we had no reason to expect them. If God has made it our duty to leave oar home and friends, he has given us a home here in a land of strangers, and friends who are kind and sympathizing. If he has presented dark and gloomy prospects, and for a time hedged up our way, yet he has enabled us to trust him in the dark, to feel our entire dependence on him, and lean on him for direction and support. We are still at Mr. Rolfs, in Calcutta, where we receive every attention we can wish. Although we are so comfortable here, and have everything we wish, yet we long to get away to the place where we shall labor among the heathen. Mr. Judson is making daily exertions to get away. We have at present some prospect of going to Java. It presents a wide field for mission- ary labors, and no missionary is there. We have spoken for a passage; and unless some new pros- pects open of getting into the Burman empire, it is probable we shall go to Java, if government will permit. "The missionary cause continues to prosper in this country, and constant additions are making to the churches. As many as twenty have been added to the Baptist church in Calcutta, since we have been here. I heard the relations of four native wo- men before the church, a short time since, which were very interesting. They were converted by the means of a native who is a preacher, and has been the means of converting a great number. Last Sabbath I communed with this church, which is composed of Europeans, Armenians, Hindoos, Portuguese, and a class of people called half-cast, on account of one of their parents being a European, the other a Hindoo. I could not but be affected to see so many which were called emphatically from the 'highways and hedges,' commemorating the dying love of Christ in a heathen land." 84 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON CHAPTER V. Mr. and Mrs. Judson and Mr. Rice sail for tlielsle of France— • Mrs. Nevveli's deatii — Mr. Rice sails for America — Mr. and Mrs. Judson sail for Madras — Arrival at Rangoon. The Bengal government were offended by the stay of the Missionaries at Calcutta, supposing, probably, that they intended to remain in Bengal. " They accordingly," says Mrs. Judson,* " issued a most peremptory order for our being sent immedi- ately on board one of the Honorable Company's ves- sels, bound to England. A petty-officer accompanied Messrs. Rice and Judson to their place of residence, and requested them not to leave it without permis- sion. We saw our names inserted in the public pa- pers as passengers on board a certain ship, and now there appeared very little hope of our escape. Mr, Rice and Mr. Judson, however, soon ascertained that a ship would sail for the Isle of France, in two days. They applied for a pass from the chief mag- istrate, but were refused. They communicated to the captain of the ship their circumstances, and ask- ed if he would venture to take them on board with- out a pass. He replied that he would be neutral; that there was his ship, and that they might do as they pleased. "With the assistance of the gentleman in whose house we were residing, we obtained coolies (por- ters) to convey our baggage, and, at twelve o'clock at night, we embarked, though the gates of the dock-yHrds were closed, and the opening of them at that time of night quite contrary to the regulations of the Company. The next morning the ship sailed. She had proceeded down the river for two days, when a government despatch arrived, forbidding the * Burnian Mission, pp. 18, 19. — Messrs. Nott and Hall obtaineo a passage for Bombay, and sailed thither about November 20. MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 85 pilot to go farther, as passengers were on board who had been ordered to England." The following letter of Mrs. J. to her parents contains some interesting particulars of the unpleas- ant and hazardous situation in whicli they were placed by this unexpected detention. " At Sea, N. Lat. 12, Dec. 7, 1S12. " My dear Parents, "We immediately concluded that it was not safe to continue on board the remainder of the night. Mr. Rice and Mr. Judson took a boat and went on shore to a tavern little more than a mile from the ship. The captain said that I, and our baggage, could stay on board with perfect safety, even should an officer be sent to search the vessel. The next day we lay at anchor, expecting every hour to hear some inteihgence from Calcutta. In the evening, the captain received a note from the owner of the vessel, saying he had been at the Police to inquire the cause of the detention of his ship; and the cause assigned was, ' it was suspected there were persons on board which the captain had been forbidden to receive,' and that the ship could not proceed,- until it was ascertained that no such persons were on board. The pilot immediately wrote a certificate that no such persons were on board, at the same time giving a list of all the passengers. I got into a small boat and went on shore, where the brethren had been anxiously waiting through the day. We knew not what course to take, as it was then impos- sible that we could proceed in that ship, without a pass from the magistrate. Brother Rice set out directly for Calcutta, to see if it was possible to get a pass, or do anything else. We spent the niglit and the next day at the tavern, without hearing any- thing from the ship, fearing that every Euroi)ean we saw was in search of us. Brother Rice returned from Calcutta, but had effected notliing. The own- 86 >»£MOIR OF MRS. JUDSOJS. cr of the vessel was highly ofTended at his ship's be- ing- detained so long on our account, and would do nothing more to assist us. We felt our situation was peculiarly trying, and could see no end to our difficulties. "Early the next morning we received a note from the captain, saying he had liberty to proceed, but we must take our baggage from the vessel. We thought it not safe to continue at the tavern where we were, neither could we think of returning to Calcutta. But one way was left — to go down the river about sixteen miles, where there was another tavern. I went on board to see about our baggage, as the brethren did not think it safe for them to go. As we could get no boat at the place where we were, I requested the captain to let our things remain until the vessel reached the other tavern, where I would try to get a boat. He con- sented, and told me I had better go in the vessel, as it would be unpleasant going so far in a small boat. Iwas obliged to go on shore again, to inform the brethren of this, and know what they would do. Brother Rice set out again for Calcutta, to try to get a passage to Ceylon, in a ship which was an- chored near the place we were going to. Mr. J. took a small boat in which was a small part of our baggage, to go down the river, while I got into the pilot's boat, which he had sent on shore with me, to go to the ship. As I had been sometime on shore, and the wind strong, the vessel had gone down some distance. Imagine how uncomfortable my situation. In a little boat rowed by six natives, entirely alone, the river very rough, in consequence of the wind; without an umbrella or anything to screen me from the sun, which was very hot. The natives hoisted a large sail, which every now and then would almost tip the boat on one side. I manifested some fear to them, and to comfort me, they would constantly repeat, ' Cutcha pho annah sahib, cutcha pho annah.' The meaning, Never MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 87 fear, madam, never fear. After sometime we came uj) with the ship, where I put our things in order, to be taken out in an hour or two. When we came opposite the tavern, the pilot kindly lent me his boat and servant to go on shore. I immediately- procured a large boat to send to the ship, for our baggage. I entered the tavern, a stranger, a female, and unprotected. I called for a room, and sat down to reflect on my disconsolate situation. I had nothing with me but a few rupees. I did not know that the boat which I sent ailer the vessel would over- take it, and if it did, whether it would ever return with our baggage; neither did I know where Mr. J. was, or when he would come, or with what treat- ment I should meet at the tavern. I thought of home, and said to myself, These are some of the many trials attendant on a missionary life, and which I have anticipated. " In a few hours Mr. Judson arrived, and toward night, our baggage. We had now given up all hope of going to the Isle of France, and concluded either to return to Calcutta, or to communicate our real situation to the tavern keeper, and request him to assist us. As we thought the latter preferable, Mr. J. told our landlord our circumstances, and asked him if he could assist in getting us a passage to Ceylon. He said a friend of his was expected down the river the next day, who was captain of a vessel bound to Madras, and who, he did not doubt, would take us. This raised our sinking hopes. We wait- ed two days; and on the third, which was Sabbath, the ship came in sight, and anchored directly before the house. We now expected the time of our deliverance had come. The tavern-keeper went on board to see the captain for us; but our hopes were again dashed, when he returned and said the cap- tain could not take us. We determined, however, to see the captain ourselves, and endeavour to per- suade him to let us have a passage at any rate. We had just sat down to supper, when a letter was 88 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. handed us. We hastily opened it, and, to our great surprise and joy, in it was a pass from the magis- trate, lor us to go on board the Creole, the vesse we had left. Who procured this pass for us, or in what way, we are still ignorant; Ave could only view the hand of God, and wonder. But we had every reason to expect the Creole had got out to sea, as it was three days since we left her. There was a possibility, however, of her having anchored at Sau- gur, seventy miles from where we then were. We had let our baggage continue in the boat into which it was first taken, therefore it was all in readiness; and after dark, we all three got into the same boat, and set out against the tide, for Saugur. It was a most dreary night to me; but Mr. J. slept the great- er part of the night. The next day we had a favor- able wind, and before night reached Saugur, where were many ships at anchor, and among the rest we had the happiness to find the Creole. She had been anchored there two days, waiting for some of the ship's crew. I never enjoyed a sweeter moment in my life, than that when I was sure Ave were in sight of the Creole. After spending a fortnight in such anxiety, it was a very great relief to find ourselves safe on board the vessel in which we first embarked. All of us are now attending to the French language, as that is spoken altogether at the Isle of France. Though it has pleased our Heavenly Father lightly to afflict us, yet he has supported and delivered us from our trials; which still encourages us to trust in him." In her private journal, Mrs. J. thus records her feelings, at this time : " Dec. 20. Have enjoyed religion very little, since I came on board this vessel. In secret prayer, I am so much troubled with vain and wandering thoughts, and have so little sense of the divine presence, and so little enjoyment of God, that I knoAV I am making no advances in preparation for usefulness among the MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 89 heathen. Yet in my dullest frames, the idea of find- ing myself in the midst of them at last, encourages me to hope, that God will finally make me useful, in enlightening and saving some of their precious souls. "22. This day closes the twenty-third year of my fife. I liavebeen refiecting on the many favors I have received, and the ingratitude of which I have been guilty the past year; and my heart lias been uncommonly affected by the review. In the course of the past year, I have assumed a new name, and new relative duties — left my father's house, the cir- cle of my dear friends, my beloved native land — and have been safely conducted across the ocean. In these events, I would acknowledge the kind hand of my Heavenly Father. In changing my name, he has allowed me to take the name of one, who loves the cause of Christ, and makes the promotion of it the business of his life — one, who is, in every respect, the most calculated to make'me happy and useful, of all the persons I have ever seen. I would also acknowledge the hand of God, in supporting me through the trying scene of leaving my friends, and in making my voyage so comfortable and hapj)y. Nor has our Heavenly Father forsaken us, in this part of the world, but has raised us up friends in a strange land, has preserved our lives and our health, in an uncongenial climate, has led us to examine the truths of his word, and given us clearer views, than ever before, of the ordinances of his house. He has afflicted us, it is true; but many favorable circumstances are not to be forgotten. And he is now carrying us to a land, where we have some hope of finding a home for life. When again I reflect on the returns I have made for so much kind- ness, my heart sinks within me. I feel that I have misused all the favors and privileges I have enjoyed, and though never under so great obligation, was never so guilty, so unworthy, so unqualified to serve him. But I renewedly commend myself to his mer- cy, and implore him to forgive my sins, to cleanse 8* 90 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. my pollntions, and enable me henceforth to live to him, and to him alone. "■Dec. 30. Very hght winds for several days. Make slow progress. Shall probably arrive at the Isle of France, in the most dangerous season, when there are frequent hurricanes and storms on the coast. I have been trying to feel willing to die, at any time, and under any circumstances, that God shall appoint. But I find my nature shrinks from the idea of being shipwrecked and sunk amid the waves. This shows me how unlike I am to those holy martyrs, who rejoiced to meet death, in the most horrid forms. I have enjoyed religion but lit- tle on board this ship, feeUng an uncommon degree of slothfulness and inactivity. Spent some time, last evening, in prayer for awakening and restoring grace. I greatly feel the need of more confidence in God, and rehance on the Saviour, that when dan- ger and death approach, I may composedly resign myself into his hands, and cheerfully wait his will. " Jan. 7, 1813. We have been at sea nearly six weeks, and are within a week's sail of the Isle of France. It is a long passage, but Ave have had con- trary winds, and much rough weather. There are four passengers, besides ourselves and the captain's wife. None of them in the least seriously inclined. We three have worship twice every Sabbath, and prayers in our room every evening. The other pas- sengers spend their Sabbaths on deck in playing cards and chess, and trifling conversation. It is very trying to us to see the Sabbath profaned in such a vs^ay. But we cannot prevent it. Though they treat us with respect, yet I presume they consider us as superstitious, enthusiastic, unsocial creatures But we know it is our great business to serve our Heavenly Father, and prepare for usefulness among the heathen. In order to do this, we must take those methods which make us appear contemptible in the eyes of the men of this world. We continue to attend to the French language. Find nothing dilficult about it MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. Ol "Jan. 17. Hav^e at last arrived in port;* but O what news, what distressing news ! Harriet is dead. Harriet, my dear friend, my earliest associate in the Mission, is no more. O death, thoudestroyer of do- mestic felicity, could not this wide world ail'ord vic- tims sufficient to satisfy thy cravings, without enter- ing the family of a solitary feAV, whose comfort and happiness depended much on the society of each oth- er? Could not this infant Mission be shielded from thy shafts! But thou hast only executed the com- mission of a higher power. Though thou hast come, clothed in thy usual garb, thou wast sent by a kind Father to release his child from toil and pain. Be still, then, my heart, and know that God has done it. Just and true are thy ways, O thou King of saints ! Who would not fear thee .'' Who would not love thee } " 18. Brother Newell has just been on board. Poor, disconsolate, broken hearted widower. He has borne his afflictions alone, without a single Christian friend to comfort his heart. His feeUngs allow him to give us a few broken hints only of Harriet's death. " Soon after they left Calcutta, in consequence of contrary winds and storms, the vessel was found to be in a "leaky, sinking condition, which obliged them to put into Coringa to repair. Before the vessel got in, Harriet was seized with the bowel complaint, which was extremely distressing in her situation. She however was considerably recovered before they put to sea again, and was in hopes of getting to the Isle of France before she was confined. But they again had contrary winds, which made their pas- sage so much longer, that she was confined on board the vessel. She was safely and very comfortably de- livered of a little girl, a fortnight before the vessel *The Isle of France is situated in the Indian ocean, in fifty- eight degrees twenty-seven minutes east longitude, and twenty degrees south latitude. It is about tliirty-tluee miles long, and twenty- foiu- broad from cast to west. It was captiu-ed from the French by tlie English, who still retain possession of it. 92 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. arrived. She was much better for a few days than she had been for weeks before; and the child was perfectly well, and appeared as likely to live as any child. In a few days a storm came on; and as she and the infant were much exposed to the wet weath- er, they both took cold, which speedily terminated the life of the infant, and threw Harriet into a con- sumption, of which she died, on the SOth of No- vember. She thought herself in a consumption from the first of her illness, and endeavoured to be prepared to meet the king of terrors. She had her reason perfectly to the last moment of her life. She felt no fear of death, but longed for its approach. The day before she died, her physician told her she would not continue another day. She lifted up her hands, and exclaimed, ' O glorious intelligence.' She took a formal leave of Mr. Newell, and delivered to him messages to her friends with the greatest compo- sure. She frequently mentioned in her sickness, that she had never repented leaving her native country, and that the consideration of having left it for the cause of Christ, now afforded her great consolation. She died in a happy, composed frame, without a struggle or a groan. Her body now hes, solitary and alone, in yonder heathy ground. No marble monument* is erected to speak her worth, no com- mon gravestone to tell the passing stranger, ' here lie the remains of one, who, for the love of Christ and immortal souls, left the bosom of her friends, and found an early grave in a land of strangers.' But angels will watch her dust, even in this benighted land; and at the resurrection of the just, it will be re-united to her immortal spirit, which, no doubt, is now in the full enjoyment of her God. " Jan. 23. No prospect of remaining long on this island. It seems as if there was no resting place for me on earth. O when will my wanderings termi * A monument has since been erected over her grave, by the American Boaid of Commissioners for Foreitrn Missions. MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 93 nate? When shall I find some little spot, that 1 can call my home, while in this world? Yet I rejoice in all thy dealings, O my Heavenly Father; for thou dost support me under every trial, and enahle me to lean on thee. Thou dost make me to feel the sweet- ness of deriving comfort from thee, when world- ly comforts fail Thou dost not suller me to sink (lo\yn in despondency, but enablest me to look forward with joy, to a state of heavenly rest and liappiness. There I shall have "to wander no more, suffer no more; the face of Jesus will be unveiled, and I shall rest in the arms of love, through all eter- nity. "Jan. 31. Sabbath. Was taken very ill during the night, but am now somewhat relieved. My illness has led me to think of death, and inquire whether I am prepared lor that solemn event I think I can say, that I feel happy in the prospect. And yet my heart feels a pang at the thought of leaving my dear husband to bear alone the trials and fatigues of a missionary life. I am willing, I should be thankful to live longer on his account, and for the sake also of laboring among the heathen. But the kind of life I lead induces me to look at the grave with more composure than I otherwise should do, and appreciate the worth of that rehgion which can make us happy when stripped of earthly com- forts — and happier still, in view of the eternal world. " Mr. J. has gone to preach to the soldiers, and brother Rice to conduct worship in the hospital; so that being quite alone, I have sought and enjoy- ed a precious season of prayer and communion with God. O for a closer walk with God, and more fervor in the performance of religious duties. O that I could fill up every moment with service acceptable to the dear Redeemer. " Feb. 12. Some rehgious enjoyment, but guilty of much stupidity, hardness of heart, and wander- ing thoughts. Have felt some longing desires to 94 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSsON. be free from sin, and present with the Saviour. Formerly, I was very desirous of living a long life — death generally appeared as the kjng of terrors. But of late, I have wished that my pilgrimage would soon terminate, and death and the grave have worn an inviting appearance. This change of feeling is not occasioned by any present distress or discontent with life, for my days are tranquil and happy. Perhaps these new desires are a prelude to my speedy departure from this world. O should this be the case, may T, in that solemn transporting hour, adopt these Hnes of Watts: — ' Joyful, with all the strength I have, My quivering lips shall sing, Where is thy boasted vict'rj', grave? And Where's the monster's sting ?' " 28. Had a special season of prayer this evening, to confess my sins, and bewail the depravity of my heart. Had some faint views of the infinite excel- lence of God, which caused me to mourn that I sin so much against him, and to long for strength to vanquish my spiritual foes. Felt happy that God reigns; that he has a church in this world, on which he has set his love, having redeemed it with the blood of his own dear Son. But O how seldom do I get near to God, or have any sense of divine things. At what a poor, low rate I live. If a Chr stian, surely I am the least, the vilest, entirely unworthy the notice of an infinite God. Yet Jesus can be honored in the salvation of one so mean, so unworthy. Divine grace will be more conspicuous, than in the salvation of those, who have less to be forgiven. I will still hope in thy mercy, O infinite Redeemer — that thou wilt enable me to persevere in thy service, and finally save my sinful soul, " March 7. Sabbath. I am alone, as usual, on the Sabbath. Have been spending the forenoon in self-examination and prayer. Much distressed on reviewing my exercises and feelings, for some MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 05 days past. I see that I have greatly declined in religion; have less frequently than formerly affecting views of my own sinfulness, and refreshing views of the divine character. O that I might live a more holy life! I would be more watchful, more prayer- ful, more willing to deny myself, that I may live near to God; but in my own strength, I can do nothing. If Jesus is pleased to strengthen me, and give me a spirit of perseverance, it will be easy for me to keep his commandments. But if not, I shall wither and die ; I shall give up the contest, and my sins will come off" conquerors. O Jesus, prevent it. My sins are thine enemies, as well as mine. • Let them not triumph over one who humbly dares to hope that she loves thee, and who now gives herself entirely to thee. Thou wilt not, O my Saviour, desert me at last. Thou knowest I have left my native land, and the comforts of social life, from desire to serve thee, and comply with the clear dictates of duty. And now when I have but few comforts left, O give me the enjoyment of thy presence. Give me thyself, and I ask no more. I will be satisfied with this as my portion in life, and my eternal portion beyond the grave." It was thought expedient that Mr. Rice should return to America, for the purpose of exciting the attention of the Baptist churches in this country. He accordingly sailed for the United States, in March, 1813. He was welcomed on his arrival with great affection, and was successful, in a very short time, in awakening such a spirit of missionary exertion in the Baptist churches, that a large number of Mission- ary Societies were formed in various parts of the country; and in April, 1814, the Baptist General Convention was formed in Philadelphia. * One of * It has since been called " The General Convention of tlie Baptist Denomination in the United States, for Foreign Missions and for other Important objects relating to the Redeemer's king- dom." It holds its session once in three years. It is composed 96 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. the first acts of the Convention was to appoint Mr. and Mrs. Judson as their Missionaries, leaving it to their discretion to select a field of labor. Mr. Rice, also, was appointexl a Missionary, but was requested to prosecute, for a while, his zealous and successful agency in forming Auxiliary Societies, and collecting funds. We will now resume our extracts from Mrs. J.'s journal: " March 13. Brother Rice has just left us, and taken passage for America. Mr. J. and I are now entirely alone; not one remaining friend in this part of the world. The scenes through which we pass are calculated to remind us that this world is not our home, and that we are fast verging towards the grave. No matter how soon we leave this world, if we only live to God while we live. In that case, to die is gain. Yet we are willing, and even desirous to live a few years, that we may serve God among the heathen, and do something towards spreading a knowledge of the Saviour in this benighted world. " 30. Have been confined to my bed for a fort- night past. God has mercifully carried me through a scene of great pain and weakness, and prevented many evils which my ignorance might have occasion- ed. May I be grateful for divine mercies received, and humbly devote to his service the life he has spared, and the health and strength he has so far restored. of *' Delegates from the Missionary Societies, Associations, Churches, and other religious bodies of the Baptist Denomination, which shall annually contribute to the funds, under the direction of this body, a sum amounting to at least one hundred dollars, each being entitled to one representative and vote, and for every additional sum of one hundred dollars, one additional representa- tive and vote shall be allowed." The executive business is performed by a Board, consisting of a President, Vice-Presi- dents, a Corresponding and a Recording Secretary, a Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, and forty Managers. MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSOK. 97 " I have felt a little revived of late, and long^ more than ever to get settled anriong the heathen, and begin to do something for the cause of Jesus. I feel that I have been too worldly minded, too much concerned about my own comfort and convenience, and too indolent, since I have been engaged in my great undertaking. Resolved, through divine grace, to be more concerned for the ])rosperityof Zion, and to improve my time more diligently than I have ever done. ^^ April 10. Have just returned from Harriet's grave — not able to visit it before, on account of the distance. The visit revived many painful, solemn feelings. But a little while ago, she was with us on board ship, and joined us daily in prayer and praise. Now her body is crumbling to dust, in a land of strangers, and her immortal spirit has doubtless joined the company of holy spirits around the throne, where she can sing in much more exalted strains, than when a prisoner here below. I was struck on beholding a large cross in the centre of the cemetery, higher than any of the grave stones. This remind- ed me of the triumph of the cross over death and the grave, a triumph in which every saint will at last partake, and be crowned with eternal life. O how animating the thought, that Jesus has himself entered the grave, and opened a path to eternal glo- ry. He is with his disciples when they enter the gloomy passage. He was with my dear depart- ed sister. O may he be with me. " 23. I am astonished to find my thoughts so vain and worldly, when I have so little connexion Avith the world. Alas, I can do nothing of myself lean- not, in my own strength, subdue one sinful feeling, or even think a good thought. But 1 see one who is able to do all things. Yes, blessed Saviour, thy blood cleanseth from all sin, and if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. Vile and guilty as I am, on thee I hang all my hopes; to thee I come for par- doning and sanctifying grace. O reject me not, cast 9 96 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSOU. me not off; but glorify the riches of that grace which can save a soul so unholy, so undeserving." The affecting incident related in the following let- ter, exemplifies the warmth of her benevolence, and the energy of her character : TO HER SISTERS. "Isk of France — Port Louis, March 12, 1813. " A circumstance took place this evening, the re- cital of which, I think, will interest your feelings, and which greatly encourages me to plead the cause of humanity whenever an opportunity offers. Last night I heard a considerable noise in the yard in which we live, connected with another family. We went to the door, and saw a female slave with her hands tied behind her, and her mistress beating her with a club, in a most dreadful manner. My blood ran cold within me, and I could quietly see it no longer. I went up to the mistress, and in broken French, asked her to stop, and what her servant had done. She im- mediately stopped, and told me that her servant was very bad, and had lately run away. I talked with her, till her anger appeared to be abated, and she concluded her punishment with flinging the club she had in her hands, at the poor creature's head, which made the blood run down on her garment. The slave continued with her hands tied behind her all night. They were untied this morning, and she spent the day in labor, which made me conclude she would be punished no more. But this evening, I saw a large chain brought into the yard, with a ring at one end, just large enough to go round her neck. On this ring were fixed two pieces of iron about an inch wide, and four inches long, which would come on each side of her face to prevent her eating. The chain was as large and heavy as an ox chain, and reached from her neck to the ground. The ring was fastened with a lock and key. The poor creature stood trembling while they were preparing to put MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 99 tlie chain on her. The mistress' rag^e again kindled at seeino: her, and she began heating her again, as the night before. I went to her again, and begged she would stop. She did, but so lull of anger that she could hardly speak. When she had become a little calm, I asked her if she could not forgive her servant. I told her that her servant was very bad, but that she would be very good to forgive her. She made me to understand that she would forgive her, because /had asked her; but she would not have her servant to think it was out of any favor to her. She told her slave that she forgave her, because I requested it. The slave came, knelt and kissed my feet, and said, "'Mercie, madam, — 'mercie, madam," meaning. Thank you, madam. I could scarcely for- bear weeping at her gratitude. The mistress prom- ised me the chain should not be put on her, and or- dered it carried away. I have felt very happy tliis evening, that this poor slave can lie down and sleep, without that heavy chain. But O, my dear sisters, how much more wretched is the spiritual than the temporal state of these slaves. They have none to tell them of their danger, none to lead them to that Saviour, who is equally the friend of the slave and the master. " We have sometimes thought of staying on this island, as Missionaries are really needed here. But when we compare this population with many other g laces which are equally needy, we cannot feel justi- ed in staying here. The governor of this island would patronize a mission, and would be pleased to have us continue here. Mr. J. and brother Rice have preached every Sabbath to the English soldiers. We long to get to the place where we shall spend the remainder of our lives in instructing the heathen. I want one of you Avith me very much, as I am en- tirely alone. I wish it were possible for one of you to come. A voyage from America here looks tri- fling to what it did when I was in America. I ex- pect to take one or two more voyages before we are too MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. settled. How happy should I feel, to spend one eve- ning at home, and give you an account of the scenes through which we have passed. But that happiness 1 do not expect to enjo3^ I often look at death with very animating feehngs. Then I hope to meet all my friends, to be no more separated. Let us, my sisters, live near to God, and make it our only busi- ness to promote his glory. Then we shall be pre- pared for a happy meeting, and the trials through which we have passed in this life will only heighten our felicity." '^ May 6. Have been distressed for some days, on account of the gloomy prospect before us. We have engaged a passage to Madras, and expect soon to embark, not knowing what may befall us there. We shall probably meet with great difficulties and trials; and we know not to what part of the world we shall have next to direct our course. Everything respecting our little mission is involved in uncertain- ty. I find it hard to live by faith, and confide entirely in God, when the way is dark before me. But if the Avay were plain and easy, where would be the room for confidence in God ? Instead, then, of mur- muring and complaining, let me rejoice and be thank- ful that my Heavenly Father compels me to trust in him, by removeing those things, on which we are naturally inclined to lean. I daily feel my unfit- ness for the great work, which I have undertaken, and hope that God is making use of these trials to fit me for future fife among the heathen. O, if our trials may be then sanctified, we will rejoice; nor in all thy chastisements, O blessed Jesus, will we wish to have the rod removed, until thou hast effectually subdued us to thyself" Among the English soldiers on the island, was one pious man, who became very strongly attached to the Missionaries, His piety and his zeal for the wel- fare of his fellow soldiers furnish an instructive exam- ple to other Christians. Mrs. J. thus describes him; MEMOIR OF MRS. .TUDSON. 101 " His first ap])earance was solemn, Immblej and unassuming; and such we have ever found liim. He told us he was a member of a church that liad been formed in one oi' the regiments by the Mission- aries at Serampore, and that that regiment was now on Bourbon, a neighbouring island, but he had been sent to this island on business. Though he is an illiterate man, and has had but feAv advantages, yet he converses on the distinguishing doctrines of the Gospel with a sense and proi)riety which will scarce- ly be found among Christians in higher Ufe. "Mr. Judson made inquiries of him respecting the religious state of the soldiers in this place, and whether opportunity could be had of preaching to them. He informed him that he knew of but one pious soldier in either of the regiments on this island, and that there could be no possibility of preaching to them, unless a private room could be procured for the purpose. He immediately made every exertion to hire a room, and at last succeeded; but was oblig- ed to give eight dollars a month, which lie has paid out of his own private property, that his fellow sol- diers might have opportunity to hear the Gospel. This soldier has visited us almost every day for two months past, and we have seldom found him inclined to converse on any other subject besides experimen- tal reUgion. Though his income is very small, and he has a family to support, yet he has given us, since we have been here, the value of twenty dollars. We have frequently observed that we have seldom enjoyed religion to so high a degree in the society of any other, as we have in the conversation and prayers of this man; and we doubt not, though his situation in life is low, but he will shine in heaven, as a star of the first magnitude." Afler long deliberation as to the course which they should pursue in their present embarrassing and un- foreseen condition, Mr. and Mrs. Judson resolved to attempt a mission at Penang, or Prince of Wales* 102 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. Island, situated on the coast of Malacca, and inhab- ited by Malays. As no passage to that island could be obtained from the Isle of France, they resolved to visit Madras, with the hope of obtaining a passage thence to Penang. They accordingly sailed for Ma- dras, in May, 1813. They had a pleasant passage. Mrs. J. 's journal contains this memoraiidum duriiig the voyage : "June 1. Just passing the island of Ceylon, and expect 10 reach Madras in three days. I have this day renewedly given myself to God, to be used and disposed of as he sees best. I feel that I am but an empty vessel, which must be cleansed and filled with grace, or remain forever empty, forever useless. If ever such a poor creature as I am does any good, it will be entirely owing to the sovereign grace of God, to his OAvn self-moving goodness, inclining him to give grace to one so depraved, so unworthy as I am." The Missionaries arrived at Madras in June.* They were kindly received and entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Loveless, English Missionaries stationed there, and by other friends of Christ in that city. But here they were disappointed. No passage for Penang could be procured. Fearful that the English government in Bengal would, on learning their arriv- al, send them to England, they resolved to take pas- sage in a vessel bound to Rangoon. Accordingly, after a stay at Madras of a few days, they sailed for Rangoon. Thus by a wonderful series of providen- tial occurrences, they were impelled, contrary to their expectations and plans, to the Burman Empire. Mrs. J. says; * Madras is the seat of one of the Presidencies of Hindostan. It is situated on the coast of Coromandel, in eighty degrees twen- ty-five minutes east longitude, and thirteen degrees five minutes north latitude, and is about one thousand miles south west from Calcutta. In 1794, the population of the city of Madras was 300,000. ISTEMOTR OF MRS. JtJDSON. lt)3 ^ June 20. We have at last conchided, in our distres.s, to go to Ranofoon, as there is no vessel about to sail for any other place, ere it will he too late to escape a second arrest. O, our ?'Ieavenly Father, direct us aright! Where wilt thou have \is g'o.'* What wilt thou have us do? Our only- hope is in thee, and to thee alone we look for protection. O, let this mission yet live before thee, notwithstanding all opposition, and be instrumental of winning: souls to Jesus in some heathen land. It is our present purpose to make Rangoon our final residence, if we find it practicable to live in such a place^ otherwise to go thence to Penang, or some of the Malay islands. But I most sincerely hope that we shall be able to remain at Rangoon, among the Burmans, a people who have never heard the sound of the Gospel, or read, in their own language, of the love of Christ. Though our trials may be great, and our privations many and severe, yet the presence of Jesus can make us happy, and the con- sciousness that we have sacrificed all for his <^ear cause, and are endeavouring to labor for the salvation of immortal souls, will enable us to bear our priva- tions and trials, with some degree of satisfaction and delight. The poor Burmans are entirely destitut** of those consolations and joys which constitutp" our happiness; and why should we be unwilling to part with a few fleeting, inconsiderable comforts, for the sake of making them sharers with us in joys exalted as heaven, durable as eternity! We cannot expect to do much in such a rough, uncultivated field; yet if we may be instrumental in removing some of the rubbish, and preparing the way for others, it will be a sufficient reward. I have been accustomed to view this field of labor with dread and terror; but I now feel perfectly willing to make it my home the rest of my life. I even feel a degree of pleasure, in the thought of living beyond the temptations peculiar to European settlements in the east. Our hearts will perhaps be more entirely devoted to our work, and i04 MEMaiR OF MRS. JUDSOW» ihe care of our own souls. To-morrow we expect to leave this place, (Madras,) and the few friends we have ibund here. Adieu ^to^jiolished, refined. Christian society. Our lot Ts not cast among you, but among pagans, among barbarians, whose tender mercies are cruel. Indeed we voluntarily ibrsakfe you, and for Jesus' sake, choose the latter for our associates. O may we be prepared for the pure and polished society of heaven, composed of the followers of the Lamb, whose robes have been washed in his " blood. " June 22. £m!3arked on board the Georgiana for Rangoon. Our good friend Mr. B. came on board, and spent the day with us — a great comf<3rt in our lonely situation.* O the happy day will soon come, when Ave shall again meet all our Christian friends who are now scattered in so many different parts of the world — meet to part no more in our Heavenly l"'ather's house, where all our trials will be over, all our sighs be hushed, and all our tears forever wiped away. ' O glorious hour, O blessed abode, We shall be near and like our God.* ^'^ June 30. Still on our way to Rangoon. Have been confined to my bed for several days, but am HOW a httle better. My thoughts are uncommonly fixed on divine things, and earnestly desirous of being prepared to glorify God amid the trials tliat are before us. I feel happier than ever, that we have chosen Rangoon for our field of labor, and cannot but hope that we shall yet see the goodness of the Lord, in the land of the hving." The passage to Rangoon was unpleasant and dan- gerous. The vessel was old, and was in imminent peril of shipwreck; but by the blessing of God, the Missionaries, in July, 1813, arrived safely at Rangoon, * A valuable European female, whom Mrs. Jiidson liad engag- ed to accompany her, fell dead on the deck, just before the vessd sailed,, tlwis leaving Iver witluxU any female attendant. MKMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 105 the place Avhere their Saviour had deaignetl tliey ehoukl labor for him many years, and where they were to he the instruments of gathering a Httle church of redeemed Burmans. They were guided iiither by the special })rovidence of God. No one, who reviews the series of occurrences from the time of their arrival in Calcutta, can doubt that God was preparing the way for establishing the Burman Mis- sion, and for summoning the American Baptist churches to the holy labors and pleasures of the missionary enterprise. Can any American Baptist be blind to the indications of duty, in reference to this Mission; or deaf to that voice of Providence, which calls on the churches of our denomination, to consider themselves as pledged to the Saviour to sustain this Mission, till Burmah shall be converted to God.'* The Baptist Board of Foreign Missions in the United States, were so fully convinced of their duty to sustain the mission, that in the close of the year 1815, they appointed Mr. George H. Hough and his wife as Missionaries, to assist Mr. Judson. Mr. Hough had acquired a knowledge of the printing business, and, it was hoped, would be able to beneJSt the Burmans, by the agency of the press, as well as by preaching the Gospel. They sailed from Phila- delphia, in December, 1815, for Calcutta. CHAPTER VI. Sketch of the Geography, History, Religion, Language, &c. oftlie Burman Empire. The Burman empire is situated in that part of the continent of Asia, lying between Hindostan and China, and so far partaking of the characteristics of each, as to be properly designated by the compound epithet, Chin-India, which Malte-Brim, the geogra pher, has bestowed on it. 106 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. Previously to the recent war between the British and the Burmans, the empire included the kingdom of Ava, and the conquered provinces of Cassay and Arracan, on the west; Lowashan and Yunshan, on the east; and Pegu, Martaban, Tenasserim, Mergut, Tavoy, and Junkseylon, on the south. It covered a space between the ninth and twenty-sixth degrees of north latitude, and between the ninety-second and one hundred and second of east longitude, being about one thousand and fifty geographical miles in length, and six hundred in breadth. It probably contained one hundred and ninety-four tiiousand square miles. By the late treaty, the British retain the province of Arracan, on the west; and on the south, Yay, Tavoy and Mergui, and Tenasserim, with the islands and dependencies, taking the Salwen river as the line of demarkation on that frontier. These cessions have considerably diminished the extent and the power of the Burman empire, as may be seen by an inspection of the map; but the precise limits of the portions lost and retained are not sufficiently known to enable us to state them with much accuracy. Nor is it important for the purposes of this work, since the field for missionary effort is not changed by these political events, though greater facilities are afforded by this extension of the British sway. History. — The history of the Burman empire resembles that of all other oriental nations. It is a melancholy detail of usurpations and conquests, of sanguinary wars between rival chiefs, and of the subjection of many petty states to the ambition and tyranny of one more powerful kingdom. Ava Prop- er is the original state, which has successively sub- dued the other provinces which compose the empire. Ava was itself at one time subject to the king of Pegu; but in the sixteenth century its numerous and warlike inhabitants revolted, and obtained possession of the provinces of Ava and Martaban. Malte- Brun says: " The Burmans continued masters of the country MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 107 till 1740, when a civihvar broke out in consequence of a revolt in the conquered provinces of Pegu, and was prosecuted on both sides with savage ferocity, fn 1750 and 1751, the Peguans, with the aidofarms imported by Europeans, and the active services of some Dutch and Portuguese, beat their rivals, and in 1752, Av-a, the capital, surrendered to them at discre- tion. Dweepdee, the last of a long line of Burman kings, was taken prisoner, with all his family, except two sons, who escaped into Siam, Binga Delia, king of Pegu, returned to his hereditary dominions, leav- ing the government of Ava to his son Apporasa, When the conquest appeared complete and settled, one of those extraordinary characters which Provi- dence sometimes raises up to change the destinies of nations, now appeared. This was a Burman, called Alompra, a man of obscure birth, known by the name of ' the huntsman,' and the chief of Man- chaboo, then a poor village. Having collected around him one hundred picked men, he defeated the Peguan detachments in small skirmishes. Improving in experience, and acquiring confidence in his own strength, he attracted more numerous followers; and in the autumn of 1753, suddenly advanced, and obtained possession of Ava, Defeating the king of Pegu, in several subsequent engagements, he invaded his territories, and in three months took his capital, which he gave up to indiscriminate plunder and carnage. Having sustained some indignities from the Siamese, he invaded Siam; but, during the eiege of the metropolis of that kingdom, his career of conquest was suddenly terminated in 1760 by a fatal disease, in the fiftieth year of his age, and ninth of his reign. Alompra was succeeded by his son Namdojee Praw, a minor. Shembuan, the uncle of this prince, brother to Alompra, acted as regent, ind, on the death of his nephew, assumed the crown. Shembuan declared war against the Siamese, and took their capital in 1766, but did not retain perma- nent possession of that country. In 1767 the empire 108 MEMOIR OF MES. JXJDSOIX. was invaded by a Chinese army, 50,000 strong, cm the side of Yunnan, which advanced as far as a vil- lage called Chiboo; but the Biirmans cut off theiF supplies, and then destroyed the whole of them, except 2500, who were sent in fetters to the BurmancapitaH compelled to labor in their respective trades, and encouraged to marry Burman wives, and become naturahzed subjects. Shembuan subdued Cassay in 1774, and died in 1776. His son and successor, Chenguza, a debauched, and bloody tyrant, was de- throned and put to death in 1782, in a conspiracy headed by his own uncle, Minderagee, who took pos- session of the government. This prince was the fourth son of Alompra. In 1783 he sent a fleet of boats against Arracan, which he easily conquered. He then marched against Siam, where he met with some checks; and, finding himself unable to retain possession of the interior, was obliged to content himself with the dominion of its western coast, as far south as Mergui, including the two important seaports of Tavoy and Mergui, which were ceded to him by a treaty of peace in 1793. " In 1795 his Burman Majesty marched an army of 5000 men into the English province of Chitta- gong, holding an army of 20,000 in readiness to join them in Arracan. His object was to claim three notorious robbers, who had taken refuge in that country. This force was confronted by a strong detachment from Calcutta. The affair was amica- bly adjusted by the delivery of the refugees, whose enormous guilt v/as established, and the Burmans withdrew without committing any disorders. In June, 1819, Minderagee Praw died, and was succeed- ed by his grandson. The junior branches of the family revolted, and scenes of massacre ensued."* Population. — It is impossible to make a statement with any pretensions to accuracy, relative to the population of countries little known to foreigners, where no regular census is published, and where the * ]Malte-Brun, book 11. pp. 268, 269, Philadelphia edition. MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 109 pride of the government and people inclines them to exaj^g-erate their numbers and power. The poj)uIa- tion of Buimah was estimated by Colonel Symes, in 1795, at seventeen millions; by Ca])tain Cox, in ISOO, at no more than eiglit millions; and Cai)tain Canning, in 1810, believed that this estimate exceed- ed the truth. Snodgrass, in his Burmese War, i 'ib- lished in 18-27, says, ' The population of Ava (mean- ing, by this term, the whole empire) has been greatly overrated by travellers, their accounts being founded on the thickly peopled banks oi" the rivers, or drawn from the natives, who have estimated their numbers beyond the truth.' There can be no doubt, however, that the empire contains several millions of immortal beings, who have no hope, and are without God in the world. Climate, tS'C. — " Though this empire," says Malte- Brun, " extends into the torrid zone, it enjoys a tem- perate climate, in consequence of tlie elevation of Its territory. The healthy and robust constitutions of the natives show the salubrity of the climate. The seasons are regular. Extreme cold is unknown, and the intense heat which precedes the rainy sea- son is of short duration. This country exhibits eve- ry variety of soil and exposure. A flat marshy delta extends along the mouths of the Irrawaddy. Be- yond this are pleasing hills, picturesque valleys, and majestic mountains. The fertile soil of the south- ern provinces yields crops of rice equal to those of the finest districts of Bengal. Although the surface is more irregular and mountainous to the north, the plains and valleys, especially those situated on the banks of the great rivers, produce excellent wheat, and the different corn and leguminous crops v/hich are cultivated in Hindostan. Sugar canes, excellent tobacco, indigo, cotton, and the tropical fruits, are indigenous in this favored country. Agriculture is said to be in an improved state, though the methods followed have never yet been satisfactorily described. In a district to the northeast of Amarapora, the tea 10 HO MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. leaf grows, but not equal to that which is produced in China, and seldom used except as a pickle. The teak tree grows in all parts of the country, though properly a native of the mountains. Almost every kind of timber found in Hindostan is produced in the southern parts. Fir grows in the mountains, and turpentine is extracted from it; but the natives do not use the wood in carpentry, being prejudiced against it on account of its softness. "The plains are well stocked with cattle ; but in the neighbourhood of the forests they are exposed to frequent ravages from the tigers, which are very numerous in this country. Pegu abounds in ele- uhants. *' The chief minerals are found in Ava Proper. Six days' journey from Bamoo, near the Chinese frontier, are the gold and silver mines of Badooem. There are also mines of gold, silver, rubies, and sap- phires, now open in a mountain called Woobolootan, near the river Ken-duem. But the richest are in the neighbourhood of the capital. Precious stones are found in several other parts of the empire. Iron, tin, lead, antimony, arsenic, and sulphur, are in great abundance. Great quantities of very pure amber are dug up near the river, and gold is found in the sands of the mountain streams. One of these in the north, situated between the Ken-duem and the Irrawaddy, is called ' the stream of golden sand.' (Shoe Lien Kioop.) There are no dia- monds or emeralds in the empire; but it has ame- thysts, garnets, beautiful chrysolites, and jasper. There are, near Amarapora, quarries which yield marble equal to the finest in Italy. It is monopo- lized by the government, and consecrated to the making of images of Gaudama. This empire con- tains celebrated and very productive petroleum wells, which yield a large revenue to government, being retained as a monopoly." * *Malte-Brun, book 11. p. 269 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. Ul Character and Manners of the Inhabitants. — The character of the Burmese is undoubtedly very much affected by the nature of their government. They are represented to be indolent, inhospitable, deceit- ful and crafty. A people oppressed by despotic rulers, and harassed with vexatious taxes, have no motive to steady industry, the fruits of which may be wrested from them by the government, or by subordinate civil agents. The distrust which is engendered, and the fears that such a system awak- ens, prevent hospitality, and make the people cold hearted, unfeeling, and suspicious. The rapacity of the rulers occasions efforts to conceal property, and produces cunning, falsehood, and perjury. Enterprise and genius are checked, because the individual can hope for no personal advantage from his exertions. Under a better government — such as would be produced by the influence of Christiani- ty — the character of the Burmans would, without doubt, become highly respectable. They possess acute minds, and lively imaginations. They are not fierce nor revengeful. Their domestic relations are generally maintained with affection and fidelity. There is no cast; and social intercourse has no other restraints than those which spring from the nature of their religion and government. Malte-Brun says : "The Burmans differ remarkably in physical and in moral character from the Hindoos. Lively, impa- tient, active and irascible, they have none of the habitual indolence of the natives of Hindostan, nor are they addicted to that gloomy jealousy which prompts so many eastern nations to immure their females in the solitudes of a harem. The sexes have equally free intercourse as in Europe, but they treat the women as an inferior order of beings. Their testimony in a court of justice is less valued. They are often sold or lent to strangers without blame or scruple. They are much engag- ed in labor, and, on the whole, faithful to the conju pal tie The Burmans participate ol' the Chinese 112 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. physiognomy. The women, especially in the north- ern parts, are fairer than those of the Hindoos, but less delicately formed. The men are not tall, but active and muscular. They pluck their beards, and thus give themselves a youthful appearance. Both men and women color the teeth, and the edges of the eye-lids with black. Marriages are not contracted before puberty. Polygamy is prohibited, but con- cubinage is admitted without limitation. The bod- ies of the dead are buried. They are less dehcate and cleanly in their eating than the Hindoos. They kill no domestic animals, being prohibited by their religion, but make abundant use of game. The lower orders eat hzards, guanas, and snakes. They are very indulgent to the manners and customs of strangers. The sitting posture is reckoned among them the most respectful, though this mark of defer- ence has been mistaken by some strangers, for an expression of insolence. ''Manufactures and Commerce. — The Burmans excel in the art of gilding. The capital maintains a considerable commercial intercourse with Yunnan, the nearest province of China. It exports cotton, amber, ivory, rubies, sapphires, and betel nuts; birds, and edible nests, from the Eastern Islands; and re- ceives in return raw or manufactured silk, velrets, gold-leaf, paper, sweet-meats, and a variety of hard- ware. By the river Irrawaddy there is a great in- land trade in the transport of rice, salt, and pickled sprats, from the lower provinces, to support the capital and northern districts. Some foreign arti- cles are brought by Arracan, and carried over the mountains by men, but the greater part by the Irrawaddy. Broadcloth, some hardware, coarse muslins, Cossimbazar silk handkerchiefs, china-ware and glass, are the leading commodities. Some lac, silver and precious stones are exported. In 1795, the quantity of timber exported to Madras and Cal- cutta, amounted to a value of £200,000 sterHng. About 3000 tons of shipping are, in peaceable times, MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 113 built in this country, and sold in ddrerent parts of India. The maritime ports of this empire are more commodiously situated than those of any otlier pow- er, particularly the harbour of Negrais. The cur- rency consists of silver, bullion and lead, in small pieces; as the Burmans, like the Chinese, have no coin." ^ Government. — " The government is strictly mo- narchical. The emperor is an absolute sovereign, and is regarded as the sole lord and proprietor of life and property in his dominions; and without the con- currence of any, his word is irresistible law. Four private ministers of state, (called Atwenwoon) and four public ministers of state, (Woongyee) are the organs of administration. The latter compose the supreme court of the empire, (Loot-dau) in the name of which all imperial edicts are issued. " The Burman empire is divided into districts, each of which is governed by a viceroy, (Myo- woon) and a court, (Yong-dau.) The district courts are composed of a ju-esident, (Ray-woon) — collector-general, (Akoon-woon) — collector of port duties, (Akouk-woon) — magistrates, (Seet- kai,) — auditors, (Nah-kan-dau) — and secretaries, (Sa-ray-gyee.) "The members of the district courts, and the Avives, relations, and favorites of viceroys, have also the privilege of holding private courts, and of decid- ing petty causes, subject to appeal to higher au- thority." f "When anything belonging to the Emperor is mentioned, the epithet "golden" is attached to it. When he is said to have heard anything, "it has reached the golden ears;" a person admitted to liis presence "has been at the golden feet;" the perfume of roses is described as grateful to " the golden nose." The sovereign is sole ])roprietor of all the elephants in his dominions; and the privilege to keep or ride on one is only granted to men of the first rank. No * Malle-Brnn, book li. pp. 273, 274 t History of the Bunnaii Mission, p. 11 lu* 114 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. honors are hereditary. All offices and dlg-nities de- pend immediately on the crown. The tsaloe, or chain, is the badge of nobility; and superiority of rank is signified by the number of cords or of divi- sions. The council of state consists of the princes of the royal family. Men of rank have their barges dragged by war boats, common water-men not being admitted into the same boat with them. Temporary houses are built for them at the places where they mean to stop in travelling. " A singularly absurd custom takes place in this country in certain forms of political homage shown to a white elephant, a preternatural animal kept for the purpose, superbly lodged near the royal palace, sumptuously dressed and fed, provided with func- tionaries like a second sovereign, held next in rank to the king, and superior to the queen, and made to receive presents and other tokens of respect from for- eign ambassadors. " The court of Ava is fully as proud as that of Pekin. The sovereign acknowledges no equal. The punctilios of ceremony are numerous, and rigidly followed; and the utmost guardedness is observed in any diplomatic intercourse with foreign states. The manners of the great are often pleasing, but they are crafty; and the tenures by which they hold their of- fices render them rapacious. Obliged to give large presents to the king, they have recourse to extor- tion, speculations in trade, and almost universal mo- nopoly. G reat vicissitudes of fortune are occasioned by royal caprice."* Religion. — The Burmans are idolaters, of the sect of Boodh. This religion is spread over the Burman empire, Siam, Ceylon, Japan, Cochin-China, and the greater part of China Proper. It has been con- tended, that it was also the ancient religion of Hin- dostan itself, and that the prevailing brahminical su- perstitions were the invention of later times. It ia * M:ilte-Brun, book 11. p. 275. f^< (^^ fCf)U(/Jt'^ MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 115 indeed probable, that all the idolntrous systems of religion, which have ever existed in the world, have had a common origin, and have been modified by the different fancies and corruptions of different nations. The essence of idolatry is everywhere the same. It is everywhere "abominable" in its principles and its rites, and everywhere the cause of indescribable and manifold wretchedness. It is asserted by Mr. Ward, that two of the six schools of philosophy which once flourished among the Hindoos, taught the same atheistical principles as the disciples of Boodh now maintain; and it is in- disputable, that these two sects were numerous be- fore the appearance of Boodh. This personage is said in Burman books to have been a son of the king of Benares, and to have been born about the year 600 before Christ. He is supposed to have adopted the atheistical system of these sects, and his principles were espoused and maintained by the suc- cessive monarchs of his family, who are charged by the Brahmins with the crime of destroying their re- ligion, and substituting atheism. At length, how- ever, the Brahmins obtained the ascendency, and arming themselves with the civil power, they so effectually purified Hindostan from the offensive her- esy, that scarcely a vestige of the Boodhist super- stition is now to be traced in that country. It found a refuge in Ceylon, and neighbouring regions; and the most learned Bnrmans assert, that it was in- troduced into that empire, about four hundred and fifty years after the death of Boodh, or (as he is more commonly called) Gaudama. The Boodhists believe, that, Hkethe Hindoo Vish- noo, Boodh has had ten incarnations, which are de- scribed in the Jatus, amounting, it is said, to five hundred and fifty books. The following summary statement of the principles of Boodhism is copied from the valuable w^ork of Mr. Ward on the History, Literature, and Religion of the Hindoos; "The Boodhists do not believe in a First Cause* 116 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. tliey consider matter as eternal; that every portion of animated existence has in itself its own rise, ten- dency and destin}^; that the condition of creatures on earth, is regulated by works of merit and demerit; that works of merit not only raise individuals to happiness, but as they prevail, raise the world itself to prosperity; while on the other hand, when vice is predominant, the world degenerates, till the universe itself is dissolved. They suppose, hoAvever, that there is always some superior deity, who has attained to this elevation by religious merit; but they do not regard him as the governor of the world. "To the present grand period, comprehending all the time in- cluded in a kulpu, they assign five deities, four of Avhom have already appeared, including Gaudama or Boodh, whose exaltation continues five thousand years, two thousand three hundred and fifty-six of which had expired A. D. 1814. After the expiration of the five thousand years, another saint w^ll obtain the ascendency, and be deified. Six hundred mil- lions of saints are said to be canonized with each deity, though it is admitted that Boodh took only twenty-four thousand devotees to heaven with him. " The lowest state of existence is in hell; the next, is that in the form of brutes; both these are states of punishment. The next ascent is to that of man, which is probationary. The next includes many degrees of honor and happiness up to demi-gods, &c. which are states of reward for works of merit. The ascent to superior deity is from the state of man. "The Boodhists are taught, that there are four superior heavens, which are not destroyed at the end of a kulpu; that beloAv these there are twelve other heavens, follow^ed by six inferior heavens; af- ter which follows the earth, then the world of snakes, and then thirty-two chief hells; to which are to be added one hundred and tw^enty hells of milder tor- ments. " The highest state of glory is absorption. Tiie person wlio is unchangeable in his resolution, "vvho MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 117 has obtained a knowledge of things past, present, and to come, through one kulpu, who can make himself invisible, and go where he pleases, and who has attained to complete abstraction, will enjoy ab- sorption.* "Those who perform works of merit, are admit- ted to the heavens of the different gods, or are made kings, or great men on earth; and those who are wicked, are born in the forms of different animals, or consigned to different hells. The happiness of these heavens is w^hoUy sensual. "The Boodhists believe, that at the end of a kul- pu, the universe is destroyed. To convey some idea of the extent of this period, the illiterate Cingalese use this comparison; if a man were to ascend a mountain nine miles high, and to renew these jour- neys once in every liundred years, till the mountain were worn down by his feet to an atom, the time required to do this, would be nothing to the fourth part of a kulpu. "Boodh, before his exaltation, taught his follow- ers, that after his ascent, the remains of his body, his doctrine, or an assembly of his disciples, were to be held in equal reverence with himself. When a Cingalese, therefore, approaches an image of Boodh, he says, ' I take refuge in Boodh; I take refuge in his doctrine, I take refuge in his followers.' " There are five commands delivered to the com- mon Boodhists; the first forbids the destruction of animal life; the second forbids theft; the third adul- tery; the fourth falsehood; the fifth the use of spir- ituous liquors. There are other commands for the superior classes, or devotees, which forbid dancing, *The Hindoo idea of absorption is, that the soul is received into the divine essence; but as the Boodhists reject the doctrine of a separate Supreme Spirit, it is difficult to say what are their ideas of absorption. Dr. Buchanan says, (A. Researches, vol. vi. p. 180) Nigban "implies (that is, among the Burnians) exemption from all the miseries incident to humanity, but by no means an- nihilation." 118 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. songs, music, festivals, perfumes, elegant dresses, elevated seats, &c. Among works of the highest merit, one is the feeding of a hungry infirm tigei with a person's own flesh. " The temples erected in honor of Boodh,* in thp Burman empire, are of various sizes and forms, as quadrangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, or octagonal. Those of a round spiral form can be erected only by the king, or by persons high in office. An elevated spot is preferred for the erection of these edifices; but where such an elevation can- not be found, the building is erected upon the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth terrace. "The priests worship at the temples daily, or ought to do so. The worship consists in present- ing flowers, incense, rice, beetle-nuts, &c. repeating certain prayers. The priest cleanses the temple, preserves the fights, and receives the offerings. A worshipper may present his own offerings, if he is acquainted with the formulas. The five commands are repeated by a priest twice a day to the people, who stand up and repeat them after him. " Boodh, as seen in many temples, appears seated upon a throne placed on elephants, or encircled by a hydra, or in the habit of a king, accompanied by his attendants. In most of the modern images, however, he is represented in a sitting posture, with his legs fblded, his right hand resting upon his right thigh, and his left upon his lap: a yellow cloth is cast over his left shoulder, which envelopes his right arm. His hair is generally in a curling state, like that of an African; his ears are long, as though dis- tended by heavy ear-rings. The image is generally placed in the centre of the temple, under a small arch prepared for the purpose, or under a small * " When the author asked a Boodhist, why, since the object of their worship was neither creator nor preserver, they honored him as God; he was answered, that it was an act of homage to exalted merit ! ' MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 119 porch of wood, neatly gilded. Images of celestial attendants, male and female, are frequently j)laced in front of the image. "It appears evident from their writings, that the ancient religion of the Burmans consisted principal- ly in religious austerities. When a person becomes initiated into the priesthood, he innnediately re- nounces the secular state, lives on alms, and abstains from food after the sun has passed the meridian. The ancient writings of the Burmans mention an order of female priests; but it is likely that these were only female mendicants. " Priests are forbidden to marry; they are to live by mendicity; are to possess only three garments, a begging dish, a girdle, a razor, a needle, and a cloth to strain the water which they drink, that they may not devour insects. " The priests reside in houses which are built and offered to them as works of merit. There are nu- merous colleges, which are built in the style of a palace, by persons of wealth, and in which boys are taught. "The priests are the schoolmasters, and teach gratuitously as a work of merit, the children being maintained at home by their parents. If a priest finds a pupil to be of quick parts, he persuades the parents to make him a priest; but if a boy wishes to embrace a secular hfe after he has been sometime in the college, he is at liberty to do so. " The Burman feasts are held at the full and change of the moon. At these times all public business is suspended; the people pay their homage to Gaudama, at the temples, presenting to the im age, rice, fruits, flowers, candles, &c. Aged people often fast during the whole day. Some visit the colleges, and hear the priests read portions of the Boodhist writings. "According to the religion of Boodh, there are no distinctions of cast. The Burmans burn their 120 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. dead with many ceremonies, especially the bodiei* of the priests."* The religion of Burmah, then, is, in effect, atheism, and the highest reward of piety, the object of earn- est desire and unwearied pursuit, is annihilation. How wretched a system is this; how devoid of ade- quate motives to virtue; and how vacant of conso- lation! O how must every humane heart, and much more every Christian, desire, that the pure and glorious Gospel may shed its light upon this gross darkness ! Language. — The Burman language is peculiar to itself. We cannot know what affinity it has to some of the Indo-Chinese languages, which are not yet investigated; but it is essentially different from the Sanscrit, the parent of almost all the languages of India Proper, and indeed from every language, that has yet come under the observation of Euro- peans. This is the common language of the coun- try, for colloquial and other ordinary purposes; though in some of the provinces other dialects are, to some extent, spoken. It is a very difficult language; and it cost Mr. Judson, though he possessed an uncommon apti- tude for the acquisition of languages, the labor of several years, before he was able to speak and write it with ease; His difficulties, however, were peculiarly great, as there were no grammars, nor dictionaries, nor other aids, to facilitate his progress. The character in common use appears to the eye of an American, to be a series of circular marks. Hence it has been called the Round O Language. The following specimen has been engraved for this work. * Ward's View of the History, Literature and Religion of the Clindoos, vol. ii. pp. 887—393. MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON Co g 8 Q cS O OB o \3 I'es' 8 s "It IS written from left to right, like the langua- ges of Europe. The common books are composea 122 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. of the palmyra leaf, on which the letters are en- j*-raved with styles, and are better executed than those of the Hindoos. Sometimes they write on plates of g-ilded sheet iron. In a Burman version of the Lord's prayer, the Missionaries could scarce- ly discover three genuine Sanscrit words; but many syllables are found coinciding^ with those of the col loquial dialect of the Chinese. A knowledg-e of letters is very generally diffused. Many read and write the vulgar tongue, though few understand the learned and sacred volumes. The Burmans are fond of poetry and music; and in the latter, make use of an instrument formed of a series of reeds, on the principle of Pan's reed. They possess epic and religious poems of great celebrity, and recite in verse the exploits of their heroes. Colonel Symes was astonished at the number of books contained in the royal library, where the contents of each chest are written on the outside in letters of gold."* There is, also, a sacred language, called the Pali. It is a dialect of the Sanscrit, and was introduced into Burmah with the religion of Boodh. The sa- cred books were written in Ceylon, where this form of the Sanscrit had obtained currency, and thence were carried to Burmah. This language became, of course, the language of religion; and gradually intermingled many of its words and forms, with the common language. Thus, although the Pali is now a dead language, cultivated by the learned only, some knowledge of it is indispensable to him, who would acquire a perfect knowledge of the Burman, and is useful to a Missionary. It is said to be rich, har- monious, and flexible; and Malte-Brun affirms, that it is the language of religion, and is used by the priests and the learned in the whole of Chin-India, except Malacca, Cochin-China and Tonquin. It was a wise Providence, which selected, as the pioneer and founder of the Burman Mission, so * Malte-Brun, vol. ii. p. 274. MEMOIR OP MRS. JUDSON. 123 thorough a scholar, and so able a philologist, as Mr. Judson. He has accomplished a service of inesti- mable utility, by preparing a Grammar and a Dic- tionary of the Burman and Pali languages, which will render the acquisition of these languages com- paratively an easy task to future Missionaries. Had he done no more, his life would have yielded rich fruit to the Missionary cause. CHAPTER VII. Establishment of the Mission at Rangoon. Rangoon is the principal seaport of the Burman empire. It is situated thirty miles from the sea, on the Rangoon river, one of the outlets of the Irra- waddy. It lies in sixteen degrees forty-seven minutes north latitude, and ninety-six degrees nine minutes east longitude, and is 670 miles southeast of Calcutta. *' The river," says Captain Cox,* " is one of the finest for shipping I have ever seen. It is about six hundred yards wide at Rangoon, the water in general deep from shore to shore, the bottom good, and current moderate." Ships of 800 or 900 tons can come up to the Avharves. The town stretches about a mile along the bank of the river, and is not more than a third of a mile broad. In 1795, it contained 5000 taxable houses. In 1812, they had been reduced to 1500, by fire and bad government.! The number of inhabitants, in 1813, was stated by Mr. Judson, to be 40,000. Some of the inhabitants were of Portuguese extraction, and had two or three churches and priests. The Armenians also had one church. The first Protestant Missionaries who visited * Cox's Burman Empire, p. 5. t Malte-Brun, book li. p. 273. 124 MEMOIR OP MRS. JUDSON. Burmah, were Messrs. Chater and Mardon, who went thither from Serampore, in 1 807. Mr. Mardon, after a few months, left the station, and Mr. Chater was joined by Mr. Felix Carey, the eldest son of Dr. Carey. Soon after, Messrs. Prichettand Brain, from the London Missionary Society, arrived; but Mr. Brain soon died, and Mr. Prichett, after a year's residence, removed to Vizagapatam. Mr. Chater remained lour years, and made a considerable progress in the language. He translated the Gospel, by n ^ ' Matthew, which was revised by Mr. Carey, and afterwards printed at Serampore. At length Mr. Chater relinquished the mission, and removed to Ceylon. Mr. Carey remained, and was joined by a young man from Calcutta, who soon quitted the station. When Mr. Judson arrived, Mr. Carey had gone to Ava, by order of the King. Thus had every attempt of the English Missionaries failed, and this fact seems to show still more conclusively, that God reserved for the American Baptist Churchej the duty of establishing and sustaining the Burman Mission. Mrs. Carey, who was a native of the country, still resided at Rangoon, in the mission house, which Mr. Chater had erected, in a pleasant rural spot^ half a mile from the walls of the town. The houst was built of teak wood, and was large and conven lent for that climate, though the inside was unfinish ed, and the beams and joists were naked. Connecter with it were gardens enclosed, containing about two acres of ground, and full of fruit trees of various kinds. In this quiet spot Mr. and Mrs. J. found a home, and felt that at last they had reached a place where they could labor for the Saviour. But their situa- tion, even here, was not without trials. Mrs. Jud- son, in a letter to her parents, dated July 30, 1813, says: i " We felt very gloomy and dejected the first night MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 125 we arrived, in view of our prospects; hut we were enable^l to lean on God, and to feel that he wasahle to support us under the most discouraging circum- stances. Tlie next morning I prepared to go on shore, but hardly knew how I should get to Mr. Carey's house, as there was no method of convey- ance, except a horse, while I was unable to ride. It was, however, concluded that I should be carried in an armed chair; consequently when I landed, one was provided, through which were put two bamboos, and four of the natives took me on their shoulders. When they had carried me a little way into the town, they set me down under a shade, when great num- bers of the natives gathered around, as they had r^eldom seen an English female. Being sick and se of benefittinjr bis health, and of j)r<)curin^ one of the natjve Christians, residinjj^ there, who spoke the Bur- man lanj^nap^e, to assist him in his first public at- teni|)ts to preach tlu; (»os|)(d. He dcsi^^ned to bo abstMit l>ut three months: hut the vessel was de- tained ])y eontrary winds, and becoming unmanap^c- al)l(^ in the dillieult nnvi^ation alon^ the coast, her direction was chaii(>('d II»r Madras, and Mr. Judson bad the unsp(\-ikable anguish of bein^ home away from the scene of his missionary labors, to a distant part of India, which he had no wish to visit. The vessel was unable to reach Madras, and Mr. Judson was carried to a i)lace three hundred miles from that city, to which he Avas oblijj^ed to travel by land. Here he endeavoured to obtain a ])assa^e for Ran- K"(M)n but was unsuccessful; and ht^ was detained at Madras, till July ^0, when he sailed li)r Rangoon in an ICnglish ship. During his ahsencc, very alarming incidents oc- curred at Rangoon, wbicb threatened, for a while, to destroy the mission. Nothing, indeed, but the sj)ecial providences of (jod, and the firnmess of Mrs. Judson, prevented an abandonujent of the station, which might have been final. Under date of Janu- ary 18, 1818, she thus wrote to Dr. Baldwin; " We still live in a (juiet manner, unmolested by government, or rohbers. The Viceroy's family treat us with resj)ect and affection, now and th("n sending us an elephant, to accompany them in their excur- sions, iier Highness, l\w. Vicereine, professes a j)articular regard for nie, and I, in return, have pre- sented her with a translation of Matthew's Gospel, a tract, and catechism, and have bad two or tiireo MEMOIR OK MRS .limSON. I GO opporlnnilios of ronvi'r.siiiijf with Iicr piivnlcly on tin* snl)j«M-t of n'li}ri<)ii. IJow imicli nlir rc'ids in th(> foriiuT, or hclirvt's in (lie laltfr, I :iiii imahlc to Hay; l)iit iumIIht pnuliK-cs .'iiiy visible clli'cf. She ordrrcd tl»(^ iiiHtriictn'HS of one of Ijit dantrlilcrH to ir'ivv. the catecliisiM to lior to coniinit to iiiciiiory. '^January 30. Tlu' Hnrmau Mr. JikIhoii incii- tiorjc^l Honjcliinr ap^o, as \n'\u\r the first scrioiiH iii(|iiir- er, and oik; wlio lias rxc.itrd tlu; most liojx', caiiitt to-day to the missioii-liouHe. It is now almost a year since he first came, and Avilli niiicli a|)|)areiit arixu'ty iiujiiired, 'How lnii^^ time will it d, hilt (d)laiiied little iiif(>rmati<>ii r(*H iiecliiitr him, until to-day. Soon after his first visit, lie was appointed (iovernor of a cluster of villa^rrs situated on the Syrian river, in the country of I'emi. Jle has heen at kan^^oon hut once since, and then on business by order of th(5 Viceroy, and oblij^ed to return immeom the mission-house, and in dimensions is twenty-seven by eighteen feet. It is raised four feet from the ground, and is divided into three parts. The first division is laid entirely open to the road, without doors, windows, or a partition in the front side, and takes up a third part of the whole building. It is made of bamboo and thatch, and is the place where Mr. Judson sits all the day long, and says to the passers by, 'Ho! every one that thirsteth,' &c. The next, and middle division, is a large airy room, with four doors and four windows, opening in oppo- site directions; made entirely of boards, and is white- washed, to distinguish it from the other zayats around us. " In this room we have public worship in Burman on the Sabbath; and in the middle of which I am now situated at my writing table, while six of the male scholars are at one end, each with his torch and black board, over which he is industriously bending, and emitting the curious sounds of the language. The third, and last division, is only an entry way, which opens into the garden, leading to the mission house. " In this apartment, all the women are seated, with their lights and black boards, much in the same po- sition and employment as the men. The black board , on which all the Burmans learn to read and write, answers the same purpose as our slates. They are about a yard in length, made black with charcoal and the juice of a leaf; and letters are clearly imprin- ted with a species of white stone, a little similar to our slate pencils. A lesson is written out on this board by an instructer; and when the scholar is per feet master of it, it is erased, and a new one written. The Burmans are truly systematic in their elemen- tary instructions, and a scholar is not considered qualified to read without spelling, until he has a per- fect knowledge of all the various combinations of letters." ISO MEMOIR OP MRS. JUDSOW, At this time Mrs. Judson wrote the following letter to her sisters; « Rangoon, April 29, 181&. ■< My dear Sister M. " Being left alone in my room this afternoon, I know not how I can spend it more pleasantly than in writing- to a dear, far-distant sister, whom I never expect to meet again until we arrive at our Father's house in heaven. . Though it is seven years since I left my native land and scenes of my earliest years, they are as fresh in my recollection as though it were but yesterday; and the wound then inflicted every now and then opens and bleeds afresh. I be- lieve very few females who have left their native country, have had it in their power to make such sacrifices as myself When I think of my pleasant home, and dear Bradford friends; the flattering prospects and sources of enjoyment which 1 left, I am often led to wonder how I was ever made willing to forsake them, and deliberately embrace a life replete with vicissitudes as the present. But, my dear sister Mary, a little sacrifice for the cause of Christ is not Avorth naming; and I feel it a privilege, of which I am entirely undeserving, to have had it in my power to sacrifice my all for Him who hesita- ted not to lay down his life for sinners. I rejoice that I had a pleasant home, dear friends, and flat- tering prospects, to relinquish, and that once in my life I had an opportunity of manifesting my little attachment to the cause of Christ. I know you often wish to know certainly, whether I still approve of the first step I took in the missionary cause; and whether, if I had the choice again to make, with my present knowledge and views of the subject, I should make the same. Well, I frankly acknowledge that I should do just the same, with this exception; that I should commence such a life, with much more fear and trembling, on account of my unfitness; and should almost hesitate whetlier one so vile, so poor- ly qualified, ought to occupy a sphere of so much MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSOPT. 181 usefulness. I do at times feel almost ready to sink down in despair, when I realize the responsibility of my situation, and witness my short-coming-s in duty. If I have grown any in grace since I left America, it has consisted entirely in an increasing knowledge of my unspeakably wicked heart. As to my real religious enjoyment, I think, generally speaking, I have not experienced more than when in America. I do hope, however, vile as I am, to obtain an in- heritance in that better world, where Jesus has prepared mansions for his followers, and will intro- duce them there himself, sprinkled with his blood, and clothed in his righteousness. " Relative to the mission, it is gaining ground slowly, but I hope surely. We have a place erected ibr public worship, where Mr. Judson and myself spend the day in conversing with all who call; he with the men, and I with the women. On the Sabbath we have regular public worship in the Burman language. The building is situated on one of the public roads; which, on account of its being lined on both sides with pagodas, is called Pagoda road. " This last week has been a very interesting one to us, on account of having had several very hope- ful inquirers, who really appeared to be a prepared people for the Lord. I have a meeting every Wed- nesday evening with the females, many of whom appear attentive and inquisitive. " I have been attending to the Siamese language for a year and a half. It is a language easy of ac- quisition, when one has a teacher he understands. I have not found it so difficult as the Burman; but It has been owing, probably, to the teacher's being a Burman, as well as Siamese scholar. There are several thousands of Siamese who live in Rangoon, and who speak and write the pure language of Siam. With the assistance of the teacher, I have made a translation of the Burman catechism, tract, and Matthew. I have also nearly completed a transla- 182 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. tion of one of their celebrated books into English. It is an account of the incarnation of one of their deities, when he existed in the form of a great ele- phant." The 30th of April, 1819, is a memorable day in the history of this Mission. On that day, Moung Nau,* the first convert, made his first visit to the zayat. He was then silent and reserved, and excit- ed little attention or hope. But the next day, and on several succeeding days, he repeated his visit. Mr, Judson says in his journal, May 5 : " Moung Nau has been with me several hours. I begin to think that the grace of God has reached his heart. He expresses sentiments of repentance for his sins, and faith in the Saviour. The sub- stance of his profession is, that from all the dark- ness, and uncleanness, and sins of his whole fife, he has found no other Saviour but Jesus Christ; no- where else can he look for salvation; and therefore he proposes to adhere to Christ, and worship him all his life long. " It seems almost too much to believe, that God has begun to manifest his grace to the Burmans; but this day I could not resist the delightful conviction, that this is really the case. Praise and glory bk TO HIS NAME POREVERMORE. AmCU. ''May 6. Moung Nau was again with me a great part of the day. He appears to be slowly growing in religious knowledge, and manifests a teachable, humble spirit, ready to believe all that Christ has said, and obey all that he has commanded. " He is thirty-five years old, no family, middling abilities, quite poor, obliged to work for his living, and therefore his coming day after day to hear the * It may be well here to state, that the Burmans use a number of titles, like our Mr. Miss and Mrs. to designate individuals, with reference to their age : Moung denotes a young or middle aged man ; Ko, an elderly man ; Oo, an old man ; Mee, a girl ; Mah, a young or middle aged woman j Mai, a woman of some respect ability ; May, an old woman. MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 183 truth, aflfords stronger evidence that it has taken hold of his mind. May the Lord graciously lead his dark mind into all the truth, and cause him to cleave inviolably to the blessed Saviour. " 8. Burman day of worship. Thronged with visiters through the day. Had more or less compa- ny, without intermission, for about eight hours. Several heard much of the Gospel, and engaged to come again. Moung Nau was with me a great part of the day, and assisted me much in explaining things to new comers. Towards night, a man came in, by name of Moung Shwa Oo, whom I think it time to mention particularly, as he has vis- ited me several times, and though, Uke Moung Nau, apparently backward at first, he appears to be really thoughtful. He is a young man of twenty-seven, of very pleasant exterior, and evidently in good cir- cumstances. "May 9. Lord's-day, Moung Shwa Oo came in the morning, and- staid through the whole day. Only two or three of all I conversed with yesterday came again — Had, however, an assembly of thirty — After worship, some warm disputation. I begin to feel that the Burmans cannot stand before the truth. In the course of conversation, Moung Nau declared himself a disciple of Christ, in presence of a considerable number; and even Moung Shwa Oo appeared to incline the same way. "11. Had more or less company from morning till night. Among the rest, Moung Shwa Oo, and two or three others, who appear to be pretty well satisfied that the Boodhist religion has no founda- tion. Conversation was very animated, and some- what encouraging; but I wanted to see more serious- ness, and more anxiety to be saved from sin. " Heard much to-day of the danger of introducing u new religion. All agreed in opinion, that the King would cut off those who embraced it, being a King who could not bear that his subjects should differ in sentiment from himself, and who has, for a 184 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. long time, persecuted the priests of the estabhshed religion of the empire, because they would not sanc- tion all his innovations. Those who seemed most favorably disposed, whispered me, that I had better not stay in Rangoon and talk to common people, but go directly to the ' lord of life and death.^ If he approved of the religion, it would spread rapidly; but, in the present state of things, nobody would dare to prosecute their inquiries, with the fear of the King before their eyes. They brought forward the case of the Kolans, a sect of Burmans, who have been proscribed and put to death under several reigns. I tried to set them right in some points, and encouraged them to trust in the care of an Al- mighty Saviour; but they speak low, and look around fearfully, when they mention the name of the ' own- er of the sword.' " 13. Moung Shwa Doan, a man who has at- tended two Sundays, and made some occasional vis- its, was with me several hours. He professes to have felt the truth of this religion, ever since he first heard about it, and now desires to be a disciple of Christ. He has obtained, I find, considerable knowledge of the Christian system; but does not ap- pear to have much sense of his own sins. May the Spirit teach him what man cannot. " May 21. Had several attentive hearers; among the rest Moung A. who says that the good news has taken hold of his mind. I have been so frequently disappointed in visiters, who appeared promising the first time, but never came again, that I have lost all credit in early professions; yet I cannot but hope well of this man, especially as Moung Nau appear- ed to like him better than any other inquirer. "June 6. Lord's-day. After partaking of the Lord's supper in the evening, we read and consider- ed the following letter of Moung Nau, which he wrote, of his own accord : ' I, Moung Nau, the constant recipient of your ex- cellent favor, approach your feet. Whereas my MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 185 lords tnree have come to the country of Burmah, not for the purpose of trade, but to preach the reh- gion of Jesus Christ, the Son of the eternal God, I, liaving heard and understood, am Avith a joyful mind filled with love. * I believe that the Divine Son, Jesus Christ, suf- fered death in the place of men, to atone for their sins. Like a heavy laden man, I feel my sins are very many. The punishment of my sins I deserve to suffer. Since it is so, do you, sirs, consider that I, taking refug-e in the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ, and receiving baptism, in order to become his disciple, shall dwell one with yourselves, a band nf brothers, in the happiness of heaven, and there- fore grant me the ordinance of baptism.* It is through the grace of Jesus Christ, that you, sirs, have come by ship from one country and continent to another, and that we have met together. I pray my lords three, that a suitable day may be appoint- ed, and that I may receive the ordinance of baptism. ' Moreover, as it is only since I have met with you, sirs, that I have known about the eternal God, I venture to pray that you will still unfold to me the religion of God, that my old disposition may be destroyed, and my new disposition improved.' " We have all, for sometime, been satisfied con- cerning the reality of his religion, and therefore voted to receive him into church fellowship, on his being baptized, and proposed next Sunday for ad- ministering the ordinance. " June 20. Lord^s-day. To-day Moung Shwa Doan appeared again, after an absence of several weeks, and a Httle revived our hopes concerning him. Several whom I have particularly mentioned, have discontinued their visits, though I am satisfied that * " At the time of writing this, not having heard much of bap- tism, he seems to have ascribed an undue efficacy to tlie ordi- nance. He has since corrected his error ; but the translator tliinks it the most fair and impartial, to give tlie letter just as it wjis written at fu-st." 16* 186 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. they are convinced of the falsity of the Burman re- ligion, and of the truth of the Christian. I cannot possibly penetrate their motives. Whether, after several visits, they meet with some threatening sug- gestion, that awakens their fears of persecution, or whether, at a certain stage in their inquiries, they get such an insight into the Gospel, as arouses the enmity of the carnal heart, I am not able from my experience hitherto to ascertain." During the period embraced in the preceding ex- tracts, they had been annoyed by vexatious taxes, which they were forced to pay. In June, the news arrived that the King had died, or (as the Burmans expressed it,) "had gone up to amuse himself in the celestial regions." His grandson succeeded to the throne, after putting to death one of his uncles, and Imprisoning another, who soon after died. Such are the usual accompaniments of the accession of a new monarch in oriental countries. " June 23. Had some encouraging conversation with Moung Thah-lah, a young man who has been living in our yard several months. He had lately made me several visits at the zayat, and appeared very thoughtful and teachable. To-day, on being asked the state of his mind, he replied with some feeling, that he and all men were sinners, and expos- ed to future punishment; that, according to the Boodhist system, there was no way of pardon; but that according to the religion which I taught, there was not only a way of pardon, but a way of enjoying endless happiness in heaven; and that, therefore, he wanted to believe in Christ. I stated to him, as usu- al, that he must think much on the love of Christ, and pray to God for an enlightened mind and new heart, and then gave him a form of prayer suited to his case. '•' In the evening female meeting, his sister, Mah Baik, whose husband also lives in our yard, manifest- MfiMUtR or MRS. JUDSON. 187 ed considerable feeling, (especially when Mrs. Jud- son prayed with her alone,) and expressed strong desires to obtain an interest in the Saviour." On the 27th of June, 1819, the first baptism oc curred in the Burman empire. It was a day of un utterable joy to the Missionaries, who had so long been "going forth weeping, bearing precious seed." " June 27. Lord's-day. There were several stran gers present at worship. After the usual course, I called Moung Nau before me, read and commented on an appropriate portion of Scripture, asked him several questions concerning his faith, hope, and love, and made the baptismal prayer, having concluded to have all the preparatory exercises done in the zayat. We then proceeded to a large pond in the vicinity the bank of which is graced with an enormous im- age of Gaudama, and there administered baptism t( the first Burman convert. O, may it prove the be ginning of a series of baptisms in the Burman em pire, which shall continue in uninterrupted succes- sion to the end of time ! ''July 4. Lord's-day. We have had the pleasure of sitting down, for the first time, at the Lord's table, with a converted Burman; and it was my privilege, — a privilege to which I have been looking forward with desire for many years, — to administer the Lord's supper in two languages." The power and grace of God thus displayed in the conversion of one Burman, the first who ever ven tured publicly to profess the religion of Christ, afford- ed the strongest evidence of his approbation of the mission; and ministered the most cheering encour- agement to the Missionaries. The new convert be- came a valuable assistant to Mr. Judson, and showed a strong desire to communicate to others the know- ledge of that Saviour, who had become precious to his own heart. Mrs. Judson says, in a letter, dated June 3: / 188 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. " Little did I think, when I last wrote, that I should so soon have the joyful intelhgence to com- municate, that one Burman has embraced the Chris- tian religion, and given good evidence of being a true disciple of the dear Redeemer. This event, this single trophy of victorious grace, has filled our hearts with sensations hardly to be conceived by Christians in Christian countries. This circum- stance has convinced us, that God can and does operate on the minds of the most dark and ignorant; and that he makes his own truths, his own words, the instrument of operation. It serves, also, to encourage us to hope, that the Lord has other cho- sen ones in this place. As Mr. Judson has given some account of the first impressions of this man, and as I have had him particularly under my in- struction since his conversion, I will give you some of his remarks in his own words, with which you will be much interested. ' In our religion, there is no way to escape the punishment due to sin; but according to the religion of Christ, he himself has died in order to deliver his disciples. I wish all the Burmans would become his disciples; then we should meet together as you do in your country; then we should all be happy together in heaven. How great are my thanks to Jesus Christ for sending teachers to this country! and how great are my thanks to the teachers for coming ! Had they never come and built that zayat, I should never have heard of Christ and the true God. I mourn that so much of my life passed away before I heard of this religion. How much I have lost ! ' It is peculiarly interesting to see with what eagerness he drinks in the truths from the Scriptures. A few days ago, I was read- ing with him Christ's sermon on the mount. He was deeply impressed, and unusually solemn. * These words,' said he, ' take hold on my very heart; the^^ make me tremble. Here God commands us to dcv everything that is good in secret, not to be seen ol men. How unlike our religion is this ! When Bur MEMOIR OP MRS. JUDSON. 189 mans make offerings to the pagodas, they make a great noise with drums and musical instruments, that others may see how good they are. But this relig- jon makes the mind fear God; it makes it of its own accord fear sin.' When I read this passage. Lay not up for yourselves treasures, ^c. he said, ' What words are these! It does not mean that we shall take the silver and gold from this world and carry them to heaven; but that by becoming the disciples of Jesus, we shall live in such a manner as to enjoy heaven when we die.' We have taken him into our employ for the present as a copyist, though our primary object was to have him near us, that we might have a better opportunity to know more of him before he received baptism, and of im- parting to him more instruction than occasional visits could afford. Mornings and evenings he spends in reading the Scriptures, and when we all meet in the hall for family worship, he comes and sits with us; though he cannot understand, he says he can think of God in his heart. " June 4. I have just had a very interesting meet- mg with the women, fifteen in number. They ap- peared unusually solemn, and I could not help hoping that the Holy Spirit was hovering over us, and would ere long descend, and enlighten their precious immortal souls. Their minds seem to be already prepared to embrace the truth, as their prejudices in favor of the Burman religion are apparently de- stroyed. They also appear to be convinced, that the atonement for sin provided in the Gospel is suit- able for persons in their situation. But they fre- quently say, the great difficulty in the way of their becoming Christians is, the sinfulness of their hearts, which they cannot yet overcome. O lor the influ- ences of that Spirit, which can alone effect the mighty change! " The operations of the mission thus proceeded, with many encouraging indications of divine favor, 190 MEMOIR OP MRS. JUDSON. and of the effect of truth on the minds of several of the Burmans. Moung Thah-lah, Moung- E, Mah Baik and others, appeared to be seriously intent on the salvation of their souls. In July, Mr. Judson enlarged and revised the tract for a new edition, and added to it several prayers. Its title was, " A View of the Christian Religion, in four parts, Historical, Practical, Pre- ceptive, and Devotional." It was sent to Serampore to Mr. Hough, and an edition of five thousand cop- ies was printed. On the 7th of August, Mr. Wheelock embarked for Bengal, in so low a state of health, that no hopes were entertained of his return. A few days after he sailed, a violent fever deprived him of his reason, and in a paroxysm of delirium, he plunged into the sea, and was drowned, the vessel sailing with such velocity, that no effort could be made to save him. Thus early did his Master call him away from the earth. The desire of his heart to visit the heathen was gratified; but he was not permitted to do any- thing, to lead them to the Saviour whom he loved. Mysterious, indeed, are the ways of God. Mrs. Wheelock, who accompanied him on the voyage^ proceeded to Bengal. The Board offered to defray the expenses of her return to this country; but she preferred to remain in Calcutta, hoping that she might be useful to the heathen. She has since been married to Mr. Jones, of Calcutta. Several visiters attended occasionally at the zayat, but we cannot take special notice of any others, than those who became real believers in the Saviour, and were baptized. '^ Jlugtist ^'2. Lord^s-day. Two of the adherents of the Mangen teacher, the popular preacher that I mentioned sometime ago, were present at worship. I had much conversation with them; in the course of which, I so clearly refuted their system, in two or three instances, that they could not refrain from an MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 191 involuntary expression of assent and approbation. They directly said, however, that it was impossible for them to think of embracing a new religion. 1 never saw more clearly the truth of our Saviour's words, Ye will not come unto me. " After worship, had another conversation with Moung Thah-lah. He hopes that he is a disciple of Jesus Christ in heart; but wants to know whether a profession of religion is indispensable to salvation. He fears the persecution that may hereafter come on those who forsake the established religion of the empire. I gave him such explanation as I thought suitable, and lei't him, with the solemn considera- tion, that unless he loved Christ above his own life, he did not love him sincerely, and ought not to hope that he is interested in his redemption. "His sister Mah Baik is in a very similar state. She has been particularly attentive and solemn in her appearance for sometime past. " 24. Another conversation with Moung Thah- lah, which at length forces me to admit the convic- tion that he is a real convert; and I venture to set him down the second disciple of Christ among the Burmans. He appears to have all the characteristics of a new born soul; and though rather timid in re- gard to an open profession, has, I feel satisfied, that love to Christ, which will increase and bring him forward in due time." The 26th of August was made memorable by the first visit of Moung Shwa-gnong, a learned teacher of considerable distinction. He appeared to be half deist and half skeptic. " At^ust 27. The teacher Moung Shwa-gnong came again, and staid from noon till quite dark. We conversed incessantly the whole time; but I fear that no real impression is made on his proud, skepti- cal heart. He, however, promised to pray to the eternal God, through Jesus Christ, and appeared at 192 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. times to be in deep thought. He is a man of very superior argumentative powers. His conversation would probably shake the laith of many. ''Aug. SI. A man, by the name of Moung Ing, has visited the zayat five or six days in succession. At first, a variety of other company prevented my attending much to him, and he conversed chiefly with Moung Nau, and employed himself in reading Matthew. He once told Moung Nau, that he had long been looking after the true religion, and was ready to wish that he had been born a brute, rather than to die in delusion and go to hell. Sunday I conversed with him largely, and his attention, du- ring worship, was very close and solemn. To-day he has made me half inclined to believe that a work of grace is begun in his soul. He says that he for- merly had some idea of an eternal God, from his moth- er, who was christened a Roman Catholic, in conse- quence of her connexion with a foreigner; but that the idea was never rooted in his mind, until he fell in with the zayat. Within a few days he has begun to pray to this God. He is quite sensible of his sins and of the utter inefficiency of the Boodhist religion; but is yet in the dark concerning the way of salva tion, and says that he wants to know more of Christ, that he may love him more. Lord Jesus, give him the saving knowledge of thine adorable self! " September 3. A great crowd of company through the whole day; the teacher, Moung Shwa-gnong, from ten o'clock till quite dark, with several of his adherents. He is a complete Proteus in religion, and I never know where to find him. We went over a vast deal of ground, and ended where we began in apparent incredulity. " After he was gone, Moung Ing, who has been listening all day, followed me home to the house, being invited to stay with Moung Nau, tli rough the night. We conversed all the evening, and his ex- pressions have satisfied us all, that he is one of God's chosen people. His exercises have been of a much MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 193 Stronger character tlian those of the otliers, and lie expresses himself in the most decided manner. He tlesires to become a disciple in profession, as well as in heart, and declares his readiness to sutler persecu- tion and death for the love of Christ. When I sta- ted the danger to which he was exj)Osing himself, and asked him whether he loved Christ better than his own life, he replied, very deliberately and sol- emnly, 'When I meditate on this religion, I know j. not what it is to love my own life.' Thus the poor r fisherman, Moung Ing,"is taken, while the learned teacher, Moung Shwa-gnong, is left. " Sept. 6. Spent the evening in conversing with Moung Byaa, a man who, with his family, has lived near us for sometime, a regular attendant on wor- ship, an indefatigable scholar in the evening school, where he has learned to read, though fifty years old, and a remarkably moral character. In my last conversation, sometime ago, he appeared to be a thorough legalist, relying solely on his good works; but yet sincerely desirous of knowing and embracing the truth. The greater part of the evening was spent in discussing his erroneous views; his mind seemed so dark and dull ot' apprehension, that I was almost discouraged. Towards the close, however, he seem- ed to obtain some evangelical discoveries, and to re- ceive the humbling truths of the Gospel, in a man- ner which encourages us to hope that the Spirit of God has begun to teach him. The occasion of this conversation was, my hearing that he said that he intended to become a Christian, and be baptized with Moung Thah-lah. He accordingly professes a full behef in the eternal God, and his Son Jesus Christ. "11. Moung Shwa-gnong has been with me all day. It appears that he accidentally obtained the idea of an eternal Bemg, about eight years ago; and it has been floating about in his mind, and disturb- ing his Boodhist ideas, ever since. When he he.ird of us, which was through one of his adherents, to 17 194 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDS6S. whom I had given a tract, this idea received consid- erable confirmation; and to-day he has fully admit- ted the truth of this first grand principle. The lat- ter part of the day, we were chiefly employed in discussing the possibility and necessity of a divine revelation, and the evidence which proves that the writings of the apostles of Jesus contain that reve- lation; and I think I may say, that he is half inclin- ed to admit all this. He is certainly a most interest- ing case. The way seems to be prepared in his mind, for the special operation of divine grace. Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove! " His conversion seems peculiarly desirable, on ac- count of his superior talents and extensive acquain- tance with Burman and Pali literature. He is the most powerful reasoner I have yet met with in this country, excepting my old teacher, Oo Oungmen, (now dead,) and he is not at all inferior to him. " Oct. 23. At n^'ght, Moung Thah-lah and Moung Byaa presented a paper, professing their faith in Je- sus Christ, and requesting to be baptized — but in private. We spent sometime with them. They appear to have experienced divine grace; but we advised them, as they had so little love to Christ as not to dare to die for his cause, to wait and recon- sider the matter. " 29. The teacher came again, afler an interval of three weeks; but he appears to be quite another man. He was mentioned before the Viceroy as hav- ing renounced the religion of the country. The Viceroy gave no decisive order; but merely said, * Inquire further about him.' This reached the ears of Moung Shwa-gnong, and he directly went to the Mangen teacher, and, I suppose, apologized, and explained, and flattered. He denies that he really recanted, and I hope he did not. But he is evident- ly faUing ofi" from the investigation of the Christian rehgion. He made but a short visit, and took leave, as soon as he could decently. *' Nov. 6. The two candidates for baptism again MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 195 presented their urgent petition, that they might be baptized; not absolutely in private, but about sun- set, away from public observation. We spent some hours in again discussing the subject with them, and with one another. We felt ^tisfied, that they were humble disciples of Jesus, and were desirous of re- ceiving this ordinance, purely out of regard to his command, and their own spiritual welfare; we felt, that we were all equally exposed to danger, and needed a spirit of mutual candor, and forbearance, and sympathy; we were convinced, that they were influenced rather by desires of avoiding unnecessary exposure, than by that sinful fear, which would plunge them into apostasy, in the hour of trial; and when they assured us, that if actually brought be- fore government, they could not think of denying their Saviour, we could not conscientiously refuse their request, and therefore agreed to have them baptized to-morrow at sunset. *' 7. Lorcfs-day. We had worship as usual, and the people dispersed. About half an hour before sunset the two candidates came to the zayat, accom- panied by three or four of their friends; and, after a short prayer, we proceeded to the spot where Moung Nau was formerly baptized. The sun was not al- lowed to look upon the humble, timid profession. No wondering crowd crowned the overshadowing hill. No hymn of praise expressed the exulting fe<5ling of joyous hearts. Stillness and solemnity pervaded the scene. We felt, on the banks of the water, as a little, feeble, solitary band. But per- haps some hovering angels took note of the event, with more interest than they witnessed the late cor onation; perhaps Jesus looked down on us, pitied and forgave our weaknesses, and marked us for his own; perhaps, if we deny him not, he will acknow- ledge us another day, more publicly than we ven- ture at present to acknowlec^ge him. " In the evening, we all united in commemorating the dying love of our Redeemer; and I trust we en- 196 MEMOIR OF MRS JUDSON. joyed a little of his gracious presence in the midst of us. ''Nov. 10. This evening- is to be marked as the date of the first Burman prayer meeting that was ever held. None present but myself and the three converts. Two of them made a little beginning — such as must be expected from the first essay of converted heathens. We agreed to meet for this purpose every Tuesday and Friday evening, imme- diately after family worship; which, in the evening, has for sometime been conducted in Burman and English; and which these people and occasionally some others have attended. "14. Lord^s-day. Have been much gratified to find, that this evening the three converts re- paired TO THE ZAYAT, AND HELD A PRAYER MEET- ING OF THEIR OWN ACCORD. " 26. Ever since the affair of Moung Shwa-gnong, there has been an entire falling off at the zayat. I sometimes sit there whole days, without a single visiter, though it is the finest part of the year, and many are constantly passing. " We and our object are now well known through- out Rangoon. None wish to call, as formerly, out of curiosity; and none dare to call from a principle of religious inquiry. And were not the leaders in ecclesiastical afiairs confident that we shall never succeed in making converts, I have no doubt we should meet with direct persecution and banishment. "Our business must be fairly laid before the Em- peror. If he I'rown upon us, all missionary attemots within his dominions will be out of the question. If he favor us, none of our enemies, during the con- tinuance of his favor, can touch a hair of our heads. But there is a greater than the Emperor, before whose throne we desire daily and constantly to lay the business. O, Lord Jesus, look upon us in our low estate, and guide us in our dangerous course! ''Dec. 4. Another visit from Moung Shwa- gnong. After several hours spent in metaphysical MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 197 cavils, he owned that he did not believe anything that he had said, and had only been trying nie and the religion, being determined to embrace nothing but what he found unobjectionable and impregnable. 'What,' said he, ' do you think that I would pay you the least attention, if I found you could not answer all my questions, and solve all my dilTicul- ties?' He then proceeded to say, that he really be- lieved in God, his Son Jesus Christ, the atonement, &c. Said I, (knowing his dt^istical weakness,) ' Do you believe all that is contained in the book of Matthew, that I have given you.'' In j)articular, do you believe that the Son of God died on a cross.'" ' Ah,' replied he, ' you have caught me now. I be- Ueve that he suffered death, but I cannot admit that he suffered the shameful death of the cross.' ' There- fore,' said I, 'you are not a disciple of Christ. A true disciple inquires not whether a fact is agree- able to his own reason, but whether it is in the book. His pride has yielded to the divine testimony. Teacher, your pride is still unbroken. Break down your pride, and yield to the word of God.' He stopped, and thought. ' As you utter these words,' said he, ' I see my error; I have been trusting in my own reason, not in the word of God.' Some inter- ruption now occurred. When we were again alone, he said, ' This day is different from all the days on which I have visited you. I see my error in trust- ing in my own reason; and I now believe the cruci- fixion of Christ, because it is contained in the Scrip- ture.' Sometime after, speaking of the uncertainty of life, he said he thought he should not be lost, though he died suddenly. Why.^ 'Because I love Jesus Christ.' Do you really love him.'* ' No one that really knows him, can help loving him.' And so he departed." Mr. and Mrs. Hough being in Bengal, and tne lamented Wheelock having died, Mr. Judson, and his excellent and zealous associate, Mr. Colman, 17* Idd MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. with their wives, were the only Missionaries at Rangoon. It seemed evident, that it would be in vain to proceed in their missionary labors, unless the favor of the Monarch could be obtai-ned. They resolved, therefore, after earnest prayer to God, to visit the capital. Permission was obtained from the Viceroy, a boat was procured, and other pre- parations were made, for their long passage up the Irrawaddy. CHAPTER XI. Visit to Ava — Unsuccessful Interview with the King — Return to Rangoon— Death of Mr. Colman. Messrs. Judsonand Colman immediately set out on their visit to Ava, leaving their families at Rangoon. On the 22d of December, 1819, they embarked in a boat six feet wide, and forty feet long, and rowed by ten men. The faithful Moung Nau accompanied them as a servant. They took with them, as a pres- ent to his Burman Majesty, the Bible, in six vol- umes, covered with gold leaf, in the Burman style; and each volume enclosed in a rich wrapper. Seve- ral pieces of fine cloth, and other articles, were de- signed for presents to other members of the govern- ment; as nothing can be done at an oriental court without presents. Their passage up the river was attended with much danger from robbers, who often committed depredations on boats, and usually murdered some of the passengers. But the Lord preserved them from molestation. Mr. Judson, in his journal, thus describes the ruins of Pah-gan, a city two hundred and sixty miles from Rangoon, and once the seat of government : ^'•Jan. 18. Took a survey of the splendid pajja MEMOIR OF MRS. JTJDSON. 199 (las, and extensive ruins, in the environs of this once famous city. Ascended, as far as possible, some of the hio^hest edifices; and at the height of one hun- dred feet, perhaps, belield all the country round, covered with temples and monuments of every sort and si/.e; some in utter ruin, some fast decaying, and some exhibiting- marks of recent attention and repair. The remains of the ancient wall of the city stretched beneath us. The pillars of the g^ates, and many a grotesque, dilapidated relic of antiquity, checkered the motley scene. All conspired to suggest those air to some more propitious climate, to regain her health. It was, at last, resolved, that she should visit America; and on the 21st of August, she emharked for Bengal. The feelings with which she parted from her husband, and from the little church, may be better conceived than described Her own words are: "Those only who have; been through a variety of toil and privation, to obtain a darling object, can realize how entirely every fibre of the heart adheres to that object, when secured. Had we encountered no difficulties, and sulfered no privations in our attempts to Ibrm a church of Christ, under the government of a heathen despot, we should have been warmly attached to the individuals composing it, but should not have felt that tender solicitude and anxious affection, as in the present case. " Rangoon, from liaving been the theatre, in which so much of the faithfulness, power and mercy of God had been exhibited — from having been con- sidered, for ten years past, as my home for life — and from a thousand interesting associations of ideas, had become the dearest spot on earth. Hence you will readily imagine that no or-dinary consideration could have induced my departure." The following letter to Dr. Baldwin contains an account of her arrival in Calcutta, and of her ar- rangements for visiting England: ♦* Calcutta, Dec. 8, 1821. •* Rev. and dear Sir, " I left Rangoon last August, and arrived in Cal- cutta on the 22d of September. My disorder gained 284 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSOW. ground so rapidly, that nothing but a voyage to sea, and the benefit of a cold climate, presented the least hcpe ofUfe. You "tvill readily imagine that nothingr but the prospect of a final separation would have in- duced us to decide on this measure, under circum- stances so trying as those in which we were placed. Dut duty to God, to ourselves, to the Board of Mis- sions, and to the perishing BurmanSy compelled us to adopt this course of procedure, though agonizing to oil the natural feelings of our hearts. On my arrival in Calcutta, inquiries were immediately made relative to a voyage to America. But, to my great disappointment, I found most of the American Cap- tains far from being disposed to take passengers, on account of having their cargoes engaged to the ex- tent of the tonnage of their vessels. One Captain, however, ofFered to give me a passage for fifteen hundred rupees, but I could not think of causing the Board so great an expense. In mentioning my cir- cumstances to Mrs. Thomason, (lady of the Rev. Mr. Thomason, chaplain) she suggested the advan- tages of a voyage to England, on account of the superior acconmiodations, medical advice, and female passengers, in English ships. The pious Captain of a ship bound to England was then residing in her family; with him she consulted, and they made arrangements for my passage for five hundred ru- pees, providvM I went in a cabin with three children, who were going to England. As my only object in going to sea, is restoration of health, I did not hesi- tate to secure a passage, though I should have re- joiced (since I must take a long voyage) to have gone direct to America. The father of the children has since arrived in Calcutta, and has very kindly offered to pay the whole price of the cabin, (which is fDur thousand rupees) which will enable me to go to England, free of expense to the Board. "If the pain in my side is entirely removed, while on my passage to Europe, I shall return to India in the same ship, and proceed immediately to RangooDu MEMOIR OP MRS. JUDSON. 223 JJut if not, I sliall go over to America, and spend one winter in my dear native conntry. As ardently as I long- to see my beloved friends in America, I cannot prevail on myself to be any longer from Ran- goon than is absolutely necessary for the preserva- tion of my life. I have had a severe struggle relative to my immediate return to Rangoon, instead of go- ing to England. But I did not venture to go con- trary to the convictions of reason, to the opinion of an eminent and skdful physician, and the repeated injunctions of Mr. Judson. "Relative to the Rangoon mission, I presume Mr. Judson has given you ali the information. But perhaps I have received letters of a later date, and may be able to communicate something, of which you may not have heard. My last from Rangoon was dated October 26. Moung Shwa-gnong had been accused before the Viceroy, and had disappear- ed. Mr. Judson had felt much anxiety and distress on his account, fearing he had done something in the way of retraction, which prevented his visiting him. But in a fortnight, he was agreeably surprised at seeing him enter. Moung Shwa-gnong informed Mr. Judson, that, having been accused, he thought it the wisest way to keep out of sight; that he had put all his family on board a boat, and was going up the country among the sect of heretics with whom he once associated, and had now come to take leave, obtain tracts, gospels, &c. Mr. Judson furnished him with what was necessary, and bid him God speed. He will, no doubt, do much good among that class of people; for it is impossible for him to beany time with his friends, without conversing on the sub- ject of religion. Moung-Inghad returned, as stead- fast, and as much devoted to the cause as ever. He, and Moung Shwa-ba, spend every evening in reading the Scriptures, and finding the places where the apostles preached, on a map which Mr. Judson has made for them. Another Burman has been bap- tized, who gives decided evidence of being a true 826 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. Christian, Have we not, my dear sir, every reason to trust in God in future, when we see what he has done in Rangoon? Could you see at once ihe difficulties in the way of the conversion of the Burmans, the grace of God would appear ten times as conspicuous as it now does. When we hardly ventured to hope that we should ever see a truly converted Burman, how great is our joy to see a little church rise up in the midst of that wi'derness, consisting of thirteen converted Burmans." On her passage, she had a severe attack of her complaint, which confined her to her cabin for several days. During her confinement, two young ladies of rank and influence frequently inquired concerning her health. She occasionally requested them to read to her such selections as she thought might have a salutary effect upon their minds. To these exercises, she added much serious converse; and soon had the happiness of seeing their minds solemnly impressed. Their seriousness continued during the rest of the voyage; but what has been the issue, we have had no means of ascertaining. Having arrived in England, with health somewhat improved, she was introduced to the excellent Joseph Butterworth, Esq., Member of Parliament. He po- litely urged her to make his house her home ; which invitation she accepted with the livehest emotions.* * Mr. Butterwortli, at a meeting of the English Baptist Mia- eionary Society, thus gracefully alluded to Mrs. Judson's visit: After some remanks upon the pleasing success which had attended missionary exertions among all denominations of Chris- tians, he proceeded to mention that respecting one interesting scene of labor, which had been slightly touched on in the Report, he could add some further particulars which had recently come to bis knowledge. He referred to the Burman Eoipire, and his Information was derived from Mrs. Judson, whokft he had lately the pleasure of receiving under his roof, and whose «fisu reminded him of the apostolic admonition, " Be not forger"^! to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angr^ unawares." MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 22t While in tiis family, she was favored with an in troduclion to many i)ersons distinguished for litera- ture and piety, particularly Wilberforce, Babington, and Sumner, the King's chaplain. It was thought expedient that Mrs. Judson should visit Cheltenham, for the benefit of its mineral waters. She was recommended by Mr. Butterworth to an eminent physician of that place, and there spent several weeks. About the same time she received a pressing invi- tation from friends in Scotland, to visit them, with a kind offer to defray her expenses. Acceding to this proposal, she spent several weeks in that land of Christian hospitality. Here she received a re- quest from the American Baptist Board, to return in the New York packet. She proceeded to Liver- pool for embarkation; but was persuaded to take passage in a much more commodious vessel, by a number of Liverpool ladies, who generously defrayed the expense of her passage. In August, 1822, she took final leave of her Brit- ish friends, who had become inexpressibly endeared to her by many valuable presents and innumerable acts of kindness. " Often has she mentioned," says a friend, "with the brightest glow of affection, the high-toned piety of English and Scottish Christians, and the prelibations of heaven which she enjoyed in their society." The following memorandum has been found among her papers : " AiLgust 1 6. Embarked on board the Amity, for the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Deakin, Miss Mope, Miss Jones and her brother, accompanied me, about fifty miles, and returned in the steam-boat. After the departure of these very dear friends, I felt sad and disconsolate, being quite alone, without any Christian friend on board, or any female with whom I can converse. Yet I am not alone. The name kind and glorious Being, who, notwithstanding 228 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON, all my provocations, has hitherto directed my steps, and at times granted me his presence, is still, I trust, with me, and will make my way prosperous. I hope to enjoy much of his presence, during my passage, and spend more time in the immediate duties of religion, than my late rambling hfe has admitted. Should I be preserved through the voy age, the next land I tread Avill be my own native soil, ever-loved America, the land of my birth. _ I cannot realize that I shall ever again fii»d myself in my own dear home at Bradford, amid the scenes of my early youth, where every spot is associated with some tender recollection. But the constant idea, that my dear J. is not a participator of my joys, will mar them all." The following letter from Mr. Judson, to Dr. Baldwin, will show the state of things at Rangoon, up to the time of its date. « Rangoon, Feb. 6, 1822. " Rev. and dear Sir, " I have baptized one man only, smce I last wrote you; nor are there any others, at present, who are preparing to come forward. The last pros- ecution of our most distinguished disciple, Moung Shwa-gnong, which took place in September last, and terminated in his being obliged to flee for his life, struck a fatal blow to all religious inquiry. Since that time, I have confined myself almost en- tirely to translating. About half the New Testa- ment is now finished, and I am desirous of finishing the whole, if possible, before making any further missionary movement. When that work is disposed of, I expect to feel more free to go forth and encoun- ter the hazards, which may attend an open and ex tensive declaration of the Gospel, I am fully per- suaded that the way will soon be opened for the introduction and establishment of true religion in this country. Difficulties may obstruct, delays may intervene, the faith of Missionaries and their sup- MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 229 porters may be severely tried; but at the right time, the time marked out from all eternity, the Lord will appear in his glory. "Brother Price arrived here in December, and brother Hough in January following. I believe it is the desire of us all to live and die among the Burmans." CHAPTER Xni. Mrs. Jadson's Visit to America — Mr. Wade joins the Mission — Sail for Calcutta. Mrs. Jddson arrived at New York on the 25th of September, 1822. The following letter expresses her feeUngs on revisiting her native country. TO MR. JUDSON'S PARENTS; Philadelphia, Sept. 27, 1822. **My dear Parents, " With mingled sensations of joy and sorrow, I address a few lines to the parents of my beloved hus- band — joy, that I once more find myself in my own native country, and with the prospect of meeting with loved relatives and friends — sorrow, that he who has been a participator in all my concerns for the last ten years, is not now at hand to partake with me in the joyful anticipations of meeting those he so much loves. I left Liverpool on the 16th of August, and arrived in New York harbor day before yesterday. On account of the prevalence of the yel- low fever, prudence forbade my landing. Accor- dingly I embarked on board the steam-boat for this place, where I arrived a few hours ago. It was my intention to pass a week in Philadelphia, and then go to Providence, and thence to you in Woburn, as it would be on my way to Bradford, where I shall 20 93ti MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. spend the winter. But Dr. Staughton wishes me to go on to Washington, which will detain me in this part of the country a week longer. However, I hope to be with you in a fortnight from this time. My health is much improved since I left England, and I begin to hope that the disorder is entirely erad- icated." Of the various incidents which occurred during this visit to America, the Compiler was encouraged to hope for a particular narrative, by her brother, Dr. Elnathan Judson, whose kind attentions to her during her visit, she frequently mentions in her let- ters with the warmest gratitude. But the state of his health has preventf^d that gentleman from per- forming a service for wnich he is so well qualified, and which would have been so acceptable to the readers of this work.* From the letters of Mrs. Judson, with which we have "fteen favored, we shall make such extracts as will furnish a general view of her proceedings during her visit. After a short stay in Philadelphia, she hastened to meet her parents and friends in Bradford. Here, iii the bosom of her native home, she had hoped so far *<^ regain her health, as to be enabled to embark again for Burmah, early in the ensuing spring. But the excitement of feeling produced by this visit to the scenes and the friends of her childhood, and the exhaustion of strength, resulting from the neces sity of meeting and conversing with numerous vis- iters, added to the effect of the cold climate of New- England, on a constitution so long accustomed to the tropical heat of Burmah, obliged her to leave Bradford, after a stay of six weeks, and spend the winter in Baltimore. The letters which will now be inserted will fully disclose the real state of her health, her feelings, and ♦This amiable and lamented gentleman has died, since the previous editions of this woik were published. MEMOIR OF MRS. JUUSON. 231 her employments. We have thought that tliey would not only be interesting, as furnishing a better view of her character, than any remarks of a biog- rapher could impart, but necessary, to correct the erroneous ideas which may stili exist in some minds. There were persons, who, from motives which we shall not attempt to investigate, were busy in misrepresenting Mrs. Judson's character and con- duct. It was said that her health was not seriously impaired, and that she visited the south with a view to excite attention and applause. To such persons, the perusal of these letters, in which she utters her feelings to her friends without reserve, will, it is hoped, minister a rebuke sufficiently severe, to awaken shame and penitence; and to those who may have been unwarily led to form unfavorable opinions respecting Mrs. judson, we cannot doubt that these letters will afford welcome evidence of her modest and amiable disposition, consistent and ex- emplary demeanor, ardent piety, and steady, irre- pressible devotion to the interests of the mission. TO HER SISTERS. "Baltimore, Dec. 3, 1822. ** My dear Sisters, « 1 have at last arrived at my home for the winter, and though it looks stormy and cold out- side, it is warm and comfortable within my chamber, and I am as well as can be expected after such a journey. Surely no person ever had so much reason for thankfulness as I have. Through how many dangers and journeys have I been preserved — how many kind friends meet me wherever- 1 go— "femd how many mercies attend me ! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. But though I am not in Rangoon, I doubt not you will be pleased with a narration of my adventures ; 80 I will write in my usual style. " I left Dr. Baldwin's on Tuesday morning, in company with Mr. H. We had a pleasant ride to S32 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. Providence, at which place we arrived about five o'clock in the afternoon. I sent my letters to Mr. B. who soon came to the hotel, and urged my going to his house. But as we were to go on board the Bteam-boat the same night, I declined. He then Baid he would come with his carriage, and conduct me to the steam-boat; at the same time saying, he hoped to have a ship ready to sail for India in the spring, and should rejoice to give me and other Missionaries a passage gratis. He drove me in his chaise to the boat about ten o'clock at night, where many passengers had embarked. The wind was fair, the sky clear, and we had a most charming passage through the Sound. For the first time since my arrival in America, I slept all night, lulled to sleep by the motion of the boat. We reached New York at four, on Thursday morning. Soon after light, Mr. C. of Boston, came on board, having been apprized of my coming, by letters from hia wife. He procured a carriage, and conducted me to the house of Mr. C. a pious, wealthy Baptist. It rained very hard, and as Mr. H. was obliged to go on, Mr. C. of Boston, very kindly offered to accompany me to Philadelphia, on the next day, rather than I should go in the rain. Accordingly, I passed Thursday in New York. In the evening, one of the most interesting prayer meetings was held, that ever I attended. Many pious, devout Christians were present; seven prayers were offered, and as many addresses. They proposed devoting, individually, a part of every Sabbath morning to pray lor the restoration of my health. Friday morning, at six o'clock, we again went on board the steam-boat for Philadelphia. It was a most charm- ing day; and so mild, that I found my cloak burden- some. Forty miles was land carriage; but having very pleasant company, I felt not much fatigued. We arrived in Philadelphia at nine o'clock in the evening of the same day. I found the weather so warm, that a fire was unnecessary. So much for MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSOl^ 233 reports which say there is no difference in the cli- mates. Sunday morning, brother Elnathan arrived ; and on Monday we set off for this city, and arrived on Tuesday morning. I am very comfortably situ- ated, and keep in my chamber most of the time." TO REV. DR. WAYLAND. "Baltimore, Dec. 5, 1822- "How much of heaven might Christians enjoy even here on earth, if they would make an effort, if they would keep in vievv what ought to be their great object in life. If they would but make the enjoyment of God their main pursuit, how much more consistent with their profession would be their conduct, how much more useful their lives, and how much more rapidly would they ripen for eternal glory. Christians do not sufficiently assist each other in their spiritual walk. They are not enough in the habit of conversing familiarly and affectionately on the state of each other's souls, and kindly encouraging each other to persevere and get near to heaven. One degree of grace attained in this world is worth more than every earthly enjoyment. " My journey to this place was pleasant though fatiguing. I passed one night only in New York, and spent a most pleasant evening in the society of a large party of good people, who were collected together for the purpose of prayer. Many fervent petitions were presented in behalf of the perishing Burmans, and the little church established in that country. It was an evening to me full of interest; but I found at the conclusion, that my strength Avas quite exhausted, and I began to fear whether I should be able to continue my journey. I reached Philadel- phia late on Friday evening, where I met my brother. " I ought to have mentioned that I found much of a true missionary spirit existing in New York; and that the intelligence of Mr. Colman's death seemed to have a proper effect — that of exciting to greatei 20* 234 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. effort and more fervent prayer that faithful Mission aries may be raised up to fill the places of those that are removed. " Dec. 9. I began this letter as you will see from its date some days ago; but a violent cold taken the evening I received rours, prevented my finishing it. I feel" very thankful that I am no farther north than Baltimore, for I am confident that the cold would soon destroy me. 1 have not been out of the house since I arrived, and hardly out of my chamber. My health is certainly better than when I left Boston, though I have a heavy cold and some cough. " What can be done to excite a missionary spirit in this country? I dare not engage in the subject till I am better. It would take up my whole soul, and retard my recovery. A little while, and we are in eternity; before we find ourselves there, let us do much for Christ." TO MRS. CHAPLIN, OF WATERVILLE. " Baltimore, Dec. 19, 1822. *'My dear Mrs, Chaplin, " All your kind favors, dictated, I doubt not, bv the sincerest affection, have been received, ai.: demand from me an early communication, with a particular account of my present situation, plans and prospects. I did intend writing you from Bostc.., but such was the state of my health and engage- ments with our dear friends in that city, that I was necessitated to defer it ti" the present time. Rela- tive to my leaving New England for the south, w^hen you shall hear my reasons, you will, I dare say, join with me in thinking, that duty to myself and Mr. Judson required my proceeding as I have. 1 had never fully counted the cost of a visit to my dear native country and beloved relatives- I did not expect that a scene which 1 had anticipated as so joyous, was destined to give my health and constitu- tion a shock which would require months to repair. During my passage from England, my health was MEMOIR OP MRS. JUDSON. 235 most perfect, not the least symptom of my oripfmal disorder remained. But from the day of my arrival, the idea that I was once more on American grouncl banished all peace and quiet from my mind, and for the lirst four days and nij^hts I never closed nay eyes to sleep! This circumstance, together with dwelling- on my anticipated meeting with my friends, occasioned the most alarming apprehensioris. Still, however, I flattered myself, that after my first meet- ing with my friends was over, I should gradually recover my composure, and hastened my departure for the eastward. I reached my father's in about a fortnight after my arrival in this country — and had not been able to procure a single night's sleep. The scene which ensued brought my feelings to a crisis, nature was quite exhausted, and I began to fear would sink. To be concise, my health began to decline in a most alarming manner, and the pain in my side and cough returned. I was kept in a state of constant excitement, by daily meeting with my old friends and acquaintances; and during the whole six weeks of my residence at my father's, I had not one quiet night's rest. I felt the cold most severely, and found, as that increased, my cough increased. " You may not perhaps be aware of the circum- stance, that Mr. Judson's only brother is a physician of some considerable skill, under government, and located for the winter in this city. During my stay at Bradford, his letters were most frequent and urgent, relative to my removal to the south, for the purp)ose of salivating, as the most dangerous conse- quences would ensue, should I, with my Indian constitution, salivate at the north. I saw that my disorder was rapidly gaining ground — my nervous system had become so much afiected, that the very sight of an old dear friend was quite distressing, and I really desired to get away from the sight of every human being, as it had become very painful to talk. Thus situated, there was no hope of my recovery, as my father's house was thronged with visiters 336 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. from day to day. Painful as it was to think of leav- ing- my beloved family, I felt convinced, since it was my only object in visiting this country, duty requir- ed that everything should yield to endeavours to regain my health. I knew that retirement, and freedom from company and excitement, were as necessary as a milder climate, neither of which could be obtained in Bradford. My sister had made ar- rangements to accompany me; but meeting in Boston with a pious man going on to Washington, and knowing I should receive the kindest attention when once with my brother, I desired her to return to Bradford to comf;)rt my parents. " I have been in this city about a fortnight, and am very comfortably situated with my brother at a boarding-house, where I refuse to see company of every description, till my health is re-established. I find the climate mild and dehghtful — have the best medical attendance in the city, through the influence of my brother — have commenced a course of mercu- ry, which, I trust, through the blessing of God, will perfectly restore my health — ^and find my ner- vous system so far restored to its usual state, that I am able to study four and five hours every day. This, to me, is an unspeakable comfort, as I hope my time will not be entirely lost in my endeavours to regain my health. While in England, my friends repeatedly urged my writing an account of the Bur- man Mission, as so little information had hitherto been communicated. On my passage I made a be- ginning, in a " Series of Letters addressed to Mr. Butterworth," in whose house I resided during my stay in England. While at Bradford, I was unable to proceed in this work; but since my arrival here, my freedom from interruption has enabled me to go on — and I find much pleasure in the consideration, that I shall be able to give to my friends, not only in England, but America, that information relative to the Burman Empire, which my state of health forbids my verbally communicating. My object is, MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 237 to give an account of the American Baptist Mission to Burmah — its origin, progress, and success; consis ting principally in a compilation of those letters and documents transmitted to friends in America, inter spersed with accounts of the population, manners, and customs of the Burmans. " Thus, my dear Mrs. C. have I been particular, and I fear tiresome, in my account of myself. But your kindness, your affectionate concern for my wel- fare, IS all the excuse I have to ofier. Your kind hint, relative to my being injured by the lavish at- tention of our dear friends in this country, has much endeared you to my heart. I am well aware that human applause has a tendency to elate the soul, and render it less anxious about spiritual enjoyments, particularly if the individual is conscious of deserv- ing them. But I must say, that since my return to this country, I have often been affected to tears, in hearing the undeserved praises of my friends, feeling that I was far, very far from being what they imag- ined; and that there are thousands of poor, obscure Christians, whose excellences will never be known in this world, who are a thousand times more de- serving of the tender regard of their fellow Chris- tians, than I am. Yet I trust, I am grateful to my Heav'cnly Father for inclining the hearts of his children to look on me with a friendly eye. The re- tired hfe I now lead, is much more congenial to my feelings, and much more favorable to religious enjoy- ment, than when in England and America, where I was kept in a continual bustle of company. Yes, it is in retirement that our languishing graces are re- vived, our affections raised to God, and our souls refreshed and quickened by the influences of the Ho- ly Spirit. If we would live near the threshold of heaven, and daily take a glance of our promised in- heritance, we must avoid not only worldly, but reli- gious dissipation. Strange as it may seem, I do believe there is something like religious dissipation, 238 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. in a Christian's being so entirely engrossed in reli* g-ioiis company, as to prevent his spiritual enjoy- ments." TO HER SISTER. «' Baltimore, Dec. 25, 1822. •* My dear Sister Mary, " Many thanks for the concern you manifest for mj" spiritual health, as it is to me a convincing evi- dence that you constantly pray for me. Whatever is my situation, however flattering my prospects of a worldly nature, all is loss and dross unless I feel something of that spiritual peace and comfort which our Lord bequeathed to his disciples. And I know of no means so directly calculated to insure this peace to us, as the fervent and earnest prayers of those who enter heaven, as it were, to lay the case of their friends before their Father. lam in this city much more comfortably situated than you im- agine, or I anticipated. I have always found full employment of time, and much retirement from com- pany of every description, the grand secret for liv- ing near to God, and the right performance of duties incumbent on us. In these respects I have not been so comfortably situated since I left Rangoon, as now, excepting on my passage from England to this country. When I first arrived, I requested the ser- vants of the house to say, when any person requested to see me, that ' Mrs. Judson did not see company.' For I felt resolved that my health should be my first consideration. "Brother E. is absent, engaged in his official du- ties, nearly all day, so that I have the disposal of my time entirely. I spend about five hours in the day in arranging letters relative to the Burman Mis- sion; and feel very happy in the consideration, that in my endeavours to regain my health, my time is not all lost — for in this publication, Christians will have a more correct view of the little church in Ran- MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 239 goon, when they see from what materials it has been raised, than I could give them by conversiiii^ months. In addition to these advantages I have an assistant copyist, a pious, excellent young lady. I have been here three weeks, but have not been out of the house, and scarcely out of my chamber, smce my arrival. I have the best and most experienced medical attendance in the city. The j)hysicians here say I should not have liv^ed through the winter in New England. They have thought* it best to salivate me; and I am now under a course of mercu- ry, and feel my mouth considerably affected. My cough has been very severe, until within two days past; and I trust, in consequence of the mercury, it is beginning to subside. The physicians say there is no doubt but I shall recover by spring; but I de- sire to leave it with Him, who seeth the end from the beginning, and who doeth all things well. Why am I spared? O may it be to promote the cause of Christ in Burmah, and to be successful in winning souls. May we make it our great business to grow in grace, and to enjoy closet religion. Here is the place for us to prepare for usefulness. I have re- ceived several good spiritual letters since I have been here — one from Scotland." TO HER SISTER. " Baltimore, Jan. 5, 1823. " My dear Sister, " I have been spending part of this forenoon in prayer for myself, Mr. Judson, the Burman mission, parents and sisters, &c. and have now concluded to pass the remainder in writing to you. " I am very comfortably situated, the weathei mild, and I think my health improving. Soon after my arrival in this city, brother called a consultation of physicians, when it was decided that my cough, which had much increased, was in consequence of my liver being affected; and that in order to have it removed, I must be salivated. It is nearly three 240 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. weeks, since I commenced my old employment of taking mercury. I am now in a state of salivation, my cough is almost entirely removed, the pain in my side has subsided, and I begin to think my recov- ery is nearly completed. I continue, however, to take mercury, and shall probably be kept in this state for three weeks to come. I have not been out of the house since I arrived, and hardly out my chamber. " I receive a great many letters, some of which are very spiritual and interesting. The one you forwarded the other day, was from a niece of Mr. Butterworth, a most interesting letter. She says her uncle has put to interest, for my Burman school, £100 sterling, and much more is collected. I find it is the opinion of my London physicians, that I shall not live if I return to the East. Friends in England say, ' Mr. Judson must come there.' But I say no — I must make another trial. I still hope to get away in the spring, but not before April or May. I shall go on to the north, as early as the travelling will allow. I long to be among you again, though f believe it is much better for my health to be here." TO REV. DR. WAYLAND. « Baltimore, Jan. 22, 1823. "I want the Baptists throughout the United States to feel, that Burmah must be converted through their instrumentality. They must do more than they have ever yet done. They must pray more, they must give more, and make greater efforts to prevent the Missionary flame from becoming ex- tinct. Every Christian in the United States should feel as deeply impressed with the importance of making continual efforts for the salvation of the heathen, as though their conversion depended solely on himself. Every individual Christian should feel himself guilty if he has not lone and does not con- tinue to do all in his powe' for the spread of the MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 241 g^ospel ana the enlightening- of the henthen worl(L J3ut I need not write thus to you. You see, you feel the misery of the heathen world. Try to awaken Christians around you. Preach frequently on the subject of Missions. I have remarked it to be the case, when a minister feels much engaged for the heathen, his people generally partake of his spirit. " I rejoice to hear that there is a prospect of a revival of religion in Boston. May it reach all our societies." TO HER SISTER. «* Baltimore, Feb. 12, 1823. " My dear Sister, " The first moment I am able to hold a pen is in reply to yours, which I received yesterday. It found me in bed, weak and feeble, but its contents rejoiced my heart. If I have ever felt a disposition to complain of my deprivation of health, it has been since I have heard of the reformations at Andover and Boston. O could I have endured the cold of New-England, how rejoiced I should hav^e been to have passed the Avinter, where my soul would have been refreshed with those spiritual showers. I do indeed long once more to see the power of God dis- played in the awakening of sinners and the reviving of Christians. But though I am deprived at present of this unspeakable privifege, my soul rejoices to hear that God still remembers his church in mercy, that he still manifests himself a prayer hearing God. How gladly would I set off'immediately for Bradford, if I did not think it presumptuous. For the last month, I have been very feeble, — hardly able to write to any one. I have had two slight attacks of bleeding at the lungs; and in consequence of this, have been reduced very low by bleeding at the arm. I have been bled five times, and think I am now getting better. " My friends here are very kind. But in all my 21 242 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. afflictions, my only consolation has been derived from the consideration, that God my lather and my por- tion reigns, and orders all my changes." TO MRS. CHAPLIN, OF WATERVILLE. " Baltimore, Feb. 17, 1823. " My ever dear Mrs. Chaplin, "Your kind and affectionate letter found me in bed, so weak, that I was obliged to read it at inter- vals; but it afforded heartfelt consolation. But thanks to our Heavenly Father, whose guardian care and love I have so largely experienced, I am now much better, and once more enjoy the prospect of gaining that degree of health, which will allow my return to Burmah; there to pass my remaining days, few or many, in endeavouring to guide immor- tal souls to that dear Redeemer, whose presence can make joyful a sick chamber, a dying bed. For the last month, I have been very ill. The disease seem- ed to be removed from the liver to the lungs. I have raised blood twice, which the physicians thouglii proceeded from the lungs, though I am inclined to think to the contrary, and believe it came only from the mouth of some vessel in the throat. I was, however, bled so frequently, and so largely, that my strength was quite reduced. At present, I am free from every unfavorable symptom, but am still weak. " 1 am rejoiced to hear that Mr. Boardman has offered himself to supply dear Colman's place. If actuated from motives of love to God, and concern for precious souls, tell him he will never regret the sacrifice, but will find those spiritual consolations, which will more than compensate for every priva- tion. I shall rejoice to afford him every assistance in the acquisition of the language, which my health will allow, though I fear he will not be ready to sail so early as I hope to embark. "My dear Mrs. Chaplin, this is the third day I have been writing this letter, on account of my weakness. But I am gaining a little every day. MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON 243 Yesterday, I had a little female prayer meeting in my chamber — trust the blessed Saviour was near us. O, it is good to get near to God, to enjoy his pres- ence, and feel, whether in life or death, we are his. Open your mouth wide, and Iwilljillit, is a promise, or which we do not think sufficiently. How much real enjoyment we lose, by not striving more ear- nestly to partake largely of the influence of the Holy Spirit. "Let us, my dear sister, so live, that our union to Christ, the vine, may not only be satisfactory to ourselves, but to all around us. On earth we serve God; in heaven, enjoy him — is a motto I have long wished to adopt. When in heaven we can do noth- ing towards saving immortal souls." TO ONE OF HER SISTERS. « Baltimore, Feb. 25, 1823. " My dear Sisterj " From the tenor of my last, I know you will all feel anxious to hear from me, consequently, I take the earliest opportunity to write you. My health is daily improving; but after being reduced so low as I have been, by bleeding from the arm, I must expect to gain very gradually. My liver complaint seems entirely removed, and were I not so very fee- ble, I would set off for Bradford to-morrow. But 1 can now ride only an hour at a time, and am much fatigued after that. But God has been kind, un- speakably kind to me, and enabled me to cast all my cares and concerns on him; and I have frequently been led to say, it is good for me to be alHicted. There are some spiritual, heavenly minded Chris- tians in this place, who have often refreshed me by their conversation and prayers. A few days ago, I had a prayer meeting in my chamber, and I trust Christ was one in the midst of us. Dr. Staughton sent me yesterday Mr. Judson's journal, lately re- ceived. God is doing wonders in Rangoon, and building up his httle church there. P'ive more havo 244 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. been baptized, making eighteen in all, and several others seriously inquiring. Three females have late- ly been baptized, who formerly attended my Wednes- day meeting. They have set up, of their own accord, a female m-ayer meeting. Is not this en- couraging? Dr. Price had received an order from the Emperor to go to Ava, on account of his medical skill; and Mr. Judson was about to accom- pany him, in order to make another effort for tolera- tion. You will readily imagine my anxiety to get back to Rangoon. I yet hope that my health will enable me to return this spring. O that God would incline the heart of the Emperor to favor the intro- duction of the Christian religion, and protect the little church formed there. " I hope to get to Bradford by the last of March. Brother E. will probably travel with me. But I must give up all idea of visiting and talking, on ac- count of the weakness of my lungs. I have received a great many letters this Avinter, which have been a great consolation in my retired situation. "I am rejoiced to hear that there is a prospect of more attention to religion at Bradford. God will be inquired of by his children, and in answer to their prayers will pour out his Holy Spirit." TO REV. DR. WAYLAND. « Washington, March 16, 1823. " The intelligence communicated in Mr. Judson's letter to Dr. Baldwin, kindly transmitted in your last, is truly astonishing and interesting. The late accession to the little church in Rangoon, under ex isting circumstances, is wonderful indeed, and has a tendency to increase our confidence in God, and strengthen the assurance that the mission will never be destroyed. Mr. Judson's journal has been re- ceived by the Corresponding Secretary, which con- tains the particulars of the late conversions. It is to me pecuHarly interesting, being well acquainted with the name of every one. MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 245 " I long to be in Rangoon, and am anxiously hop- ing to get away this spring. Do make inquiries relative to the sailing of ships from Boston and Sa- lem. I must not miss one good opportunity. " I am pleased with Washington. We shall, how- ever, probably travel towards Boston by the first of April. I am rejoiced to hear of the revival of reli- gion in your city, and particularly that it seems spreading among our churches. May it not subside previously to my arrival among you, as I need the refreshing a revival of religion has a tendency to give. In Andover, also, I hear there is much attention; and Dr. Staughton mentions in a late letter, that there is considerable excitement among his peo[)le. These revivals of religion, my dear brother, are the glory of our country, and the preservatives of our Christian graces. How fervently should we pray for their commencement and continuance. I am some- times almost inchned to murmur that health and circumstances rendered necessary my removal to the south, this winter, where I have seen so few seasons of refreshment. Yet I do trust that heavenly con- solation has sometimes been imparted, though to one so undeserving. It often appears to me, that I have done very little for the cause of Christ, and therefore has my health been removed. But if again I am permitted the privilege of living on heathen ground — if ever again I find myself in a situation to impart instruction to those who have never before heard of Christ, I think now I shall make a greater effort to serve God more faithfully than ever before." TO ONE OF HER SISTERS. « Washington, March 27, 1823. " My dear bister, " When I last wrote, I was induced to hope that my health and the travelling would allow my being on my way to Bradford before this. But I am yet the subject of disappointment and trial, and it is undoubtedly for the best that I should be. We 21* 246 MEMOIR OP MRS. JUDSON. came to Washing-ton three weeks ago, and have, during this period, heen busily employed in super intending and correcting the proof sheets of my little history, now in press. It is nearly completed. A little exposure to the cold has returned a slight pain in my side, from which I had been entirely free for two months previous. This makes me cautious and afraid of travelling till the Aveather is milder in your region. I most ardently long to get home; but even my friends in New England advise me not to come till May. I hope, however, to be in Bradford b/ the last of April, lor I have not given up the ex- pectation of sailing for India in May. I am much pleased with Washington — have met with several engaged Christians. We had a very interesting prayer meeting at the College a few days ago, when twenty of the students, who are pious, joined us. I was much gratified in receiving a visit from David Brown, the converted Indian. What cannot re- ligion effect.'' To see this savage transformed into an interesting and enlightened Christian, teaches us what can be done by the eflbrts of Christians. O how frequently I think, should I be permitted to re- turn to Burmah again, that in communicating rehg- ious truth, I shall depend more on the influences of the Holy Spirit than ever before. Here I believe is the grand mistake of Missionaries, and the principal reason why they have no more success. They de- pend on their own exertions, not on the power of God. I think I do sometimes have a little sense of divine things, and at such times long more than ever to return to Rangoon. My only consolation, in view of my long, tedious voyage, is, that God is my confidence; and I have his promise, to direct my steps, if I commit my ways to him. Hope you continue to enjoy the presence of that Saviour, who condescends to take up his abode with sinful crea- tures, when they prefer him to the enjoyments of time and sense." MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 247 TO KEV. DR. WAYLAND. "Washington, April 1, 1823. " I have time to write a few lines only, requesting you to forward the enclosed by the ship Bengal, which I understand is to sail for India on the 15th of this month. You will, I trust, write to Mr. Judson, and give him all the information in your possession. I do hope, however, that these letters Avill not arrive many days before myself, for I hav^e now nearly determined to sail in tlie George or Danube, if I can get a passage. I do most anxiously desire to arrive at home, for I find this unsettled kind of Yil'e, and constant exposure to company, very unfavorable to religious enjoyment and progress in the divine life; without which, our existence is of little worth. I am most thoroughly convinced, my dear brother, that our usefulness depends almost entirely on our religious state of feehng. If we habitually enjoy that intimate communion with God which allows our entering in, and bringing away a portion of the spirit possessed by the very inhabitants of heav-en, we may feel assured that we shall be enabled so far to diffuse this spirit among those with Avliom we are surrounded, and that our eflt)rts and lives will not be in v^ain. I have felt much impressed this winter with this sentiment, that Christians in their prayers do not make it a sulficient object to enter into heaven. In this exercise we professedly converse with God. When our sj)irits, then, do not enter into his pres- ence in heaven, when we are either indifferent, or suffer our thoughts to wander from the Being ad- dressed, do we not mock God, and render ourselves, by this exercise, deserving of his frowns rather than In's favors .'' It is, my brother, a solemn thing to be a Christian. But my time for writing is almost cx- fired. My health is much, very much improved, have no cough, no pain in the side, and generally Bleep well. What cause for gratitude ! My only (ear now is, that the same cause which occasioned 248 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. a relapse on my first arrival in this country, win again operate on my return to New Enj^land. 1 hope to be in Boston by the first of May, and should the George or Danube sail earlier than the last of May, I shall make arrangements to be there in April." TO REV. DR. WAVLAND. " Washington, April 22, 1823. " It was my hope and expectation when I last wrote, that I should now be on my way to Boston, instead of being in this city. But daily occurrences convince me that it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. 1 left this place a fortnight ago, and set out, as I then thought, to visit my fi-iends at the North. ! proceeded as far as Baltimore, but found that my strength was not sufficiently restored to encounter the fatigues of so long a journey. This, together with the hope of exciting more attention to the subject of Missions among the members of the General Convention, which will soon meet here, induced me to return. I shall leave this city on the 5th of May, and proceed direct to Boston, without making any stay as I had intended in the principal cities through which we shall pass. But, O my brother, my heart sickens at the apathy and unconcern relative to the subject of Missions, which are in many places exhibited. I sometimes say to myself, Will not the missionary flame become entirely extinct, and the mission already established in Burmah, die for want of support? Then again I call to mind the loving kindness and faithfulness of God in sustaining and continuing the Mission through so many discouragements, and when no created arm could afford the least assistance. I am also comforted with the consideration, that there still exist a little few, who would, I have no doubt, risk their all ' to hold the rope fast at the mouth of the well.' But by whom shall Jacob arise, for he is small? Where are our young men, fired with tlie M£M0IR OP MUS. JUDSON. 249 love of Christ and compassion for immortal souls, who are desirous of leaving their comforts and their homes for a few vears, to serve their Redeemer in foreign lands? Wliere are our fathers, who, lamen- ting their former want of zeal in erecting the standard of the cross in those countries so long given up to the control of the prince of darkness, now exert their dying energies, in exhorting their younger brethren to care for the perishing heathen, to leave a double portion of ministerial work for them to perform, and to spend the vigor of youth and health, in attempting to build up the walls of Jerusalem in foreign lands? Who is wilUng to obey this last, this most benevolent command of our Lord, Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature? But I must stop. I dare not trust my feelings on this subject. Loss of sleep for this night will be the consequence of indulging myself thus far." While Mrs. J. was in Washington, the Bap- tist General Convention held a session in that city. A committee was appointed to confer with her respecting the Burman Mission; and at her sugges- tion several important measures were adopted. Her conversation and statements produced, on the members of the Convention, the same effect which had resulted from her intercourse with other indi- viduals since her arrival — a deeper concern in the interests of the mission; a more lively conviction of the duty of the American Baptist Churches to sustain and enlarge it; and a stronger disposition to pray for its prosperity, and to contribute liberally for its support. About this time, her "History of the Burman Mission" was published, the copyright of which she presented to the Convention. This book has been very useful in this country, and in England, where an edition was published. It was, indeed, a compi- lation of facts, which had, for the most part, been 250 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. published before; but it presented them in a brief and well-digested narrative. As a literary eflort, it does her credit; and if criticism should suggest amendments, it might be alleged, in the melancholy words of the great English lexicographer, that it was written, " not in the soft obscurities of retire- ment, or under the shelter of academic bowers; but amid inconvenience and distraction, in sickness and in sorrow." Mrs. Judson returned to Massachusetts early in the spring of 1823. Her health was but partially restored; and urgent solicitations were employed by her friends, to induce her to remain in this country another year. But her desire to return to Burmah was so strong, that she resisted every persuasion, and prepared to take a second, and, as she was convinced, a final, farewell of her friends and coun- try. There was, at times, an almost prophetic foreboding in her mind, as if " coming events cast their shadows before." But she resolved to return, whatever might be the will of God respecting the mission or herself. It was a happy circumstance that she was not to go alone. The Board of Missions had appointed Rev. Jonathan AVade, and Mrs. Deborah Wade, of Edinburgh, (N. Y.) as Missionaries to Burmah; and it was resolved that they should accompany Mrs. Judson. The following letter was written by Mrs, Judson to her sister, a few days before her embarkation. *' Boston, Saturday morniog. * My dear Sister, " We arrived in safety at six o'clock on Thursday. We were immediately informed that Mr. and Mrs. Wade would be in town to-day, to sail with me. This was animating intelligence, and I felt the hand of God was in it, for he had heard my prayers. Yesterday we went on board the ship, chose my cabin, and agreed with the captain to take us all for MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 251 twelve hundred dollars. The accommodations arc excellenr, clean, and airy. It is a most beautiful ship, an-l tlie ca})tain seems disposed to do cvery- tiiing- iu his power for our comfort. I am to visit his wife this afternoon. I am now mnkin^^ prepara- tions for my passage. Monday, we have a jirayer meeting, and on Tuesday we go to Plymouth. I have yet to visit Saugus, Charlestown, Cambridge, and Salem. I am doubting whether I ought to visit Bradford again, or not. My nerves are in such a state, that I have to make every possible exertion to keep them quiet. It will only increase my agita- tion to take a formal leave of my friends and home." On Lord's day, June 21, they went on board the ship Edward Newton, Captain Bertody. " They were accompanied by a large concourse of Chris- tian friends to the wharf, where fervent prayer, by Rev. Dr. Bakhsin, was offered up to Him, who * holds the winds in his fist, and rules the boisterous deep.' The parting scene was peculiarly tender and affecting to many. As the boat moved iVom the shore towards the ship, at the particular request of Mrs. Wade, the company united in singing the favorite hymn, ' From whence doth this union arise ? ' &;c. " The missionary friends manifested much com- posure, as they receded from the land of their nativ- ity, probably never more to return. When in the cabin, a hope was expressed to Mrs. Wade, that they might have a safe and prosperous passage. She replied, ' If Jesus is with us, we shall have nothing to fear: * With Christ in the vessel, We'll smile at the storm.' " Alter a prosperous voyage, during which they were treated with the utmost kindness by Cap'ain Bertody, of whose politeness Mrs. Judson repealed- S52 MEMOIR OF MRS. JVDSO^. ly speaks in her letters with much gratitude, they arrived in Calcutta, Oct. 19, and sailed in a few weeks for Rangoon. CHAPTER XIV. Messrs. Judson and Price visit Ava — Mrs. Judson and Mr. and Mrs. Wade arrive at Rangoon. We now return to Mr. Judson and his associates at Rangoon. Our last notice of them, dated Feb- ruary, 1822, stated that Dr. Price and hfs wife had arrived,* and that Mr. and Mrs. Hough had return- ed to Rangoon. One of the converts, Moung Thah- lah, died in November, of that dreadful disease, the cholera morbus. The appalling rapidity with which, in less than nineteen hours, it hurried him from a state of perfect health, into eternity, prevented Mr. Judson from being informed of his sickness, till he was insensible. But there is no doubt that his soul ascended to join the multitude of the just made per- fect — the first fruits of the mission in Burmah. Mr. Judson, in his journal, says : "March 12. Have had nothing to notice lately, except the progress of the translation. During a few months past, I have finished Matthew, (a new translation) Mark, and Luke, and this day pass into Romans, the intermediate books being previously done. "June 30. Am just recovering from severe ill- ness. A few weeks ago, was taken with a fever, slight at first, but daily increasing in violence, until the e\^ent became very dubious. On recovering * Mrs. Price died at Rangoon on the 2d of May, 1822, after a painful illness. Her mind was peaceful and happy in the prospect of death. MEMOIR OP MRS. JUDSON. 253 from the effects of the fever, and just resuming the translation, I was suddenly seized with the cholera morbus, though that disease is not now prevalent in the place; and several hours of suffering elapst-d, before medicine took effect. This, with the quanti- ty of laudanum administered, deprived me of the lit- tle remaining strength which the fever left me, and [ am now scarcely able to hold my pen. It is sin- gular, that last rainy season I was subject to the same diseases, though in a different order; and I as- cribe it to the ascendency which the climate of Ran- goon is obtaining over my constitution. If it be the will of God, I feel desirous of living to finish the JNew Testament in Burman, — a work which must otherwise be suspended for some time." Several individuals were, at this time, in an en- couraging state of mind. On the 21st of July, another female, Mah Doke, was baptized. Soon after the arrival of Dr. Price, information concerning his medical character was conveyed to the Emperor, who immediately ordered that he should visit the capital. Obedience was indispensa- ble, and Mr. Judson resolved to accompany him, with the hope of making some favorable impressions on the mind of the monarch. Previously to their departure, he had the pleasure of baptizing four other individuals, Moung Thah-a, May Mee, May Zoo, and Mee Men-oo — the latter a girl, whom Dr. Price had cured of blindness. These individuals gave the best evidence of piety, and of sincere desire to obey the Saviour. Eighteen persons had now been baptized, as dis- ciples of Christ. The exercises of their minds, which the limits of this work do not allow us to state in detail, prove that the Spirit of God operates in the same manner on the minds of all who are brought to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Je- sus, producing penitence for sin, conviction of the utter ruin of the soul, reliance on the righteousness 22 254 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. of the Son of God for justification; a peaceful hope, and a desire to obey his commandments, and to en- joy his favor. They prove, also, that the Gospel is everywhere the power of God unto salvation; and that wherever it is preached, with fidelity and prayerfulness, God honors it as the instrument of converting men from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God. On the 28th of August, Mr. Judson and Dr. Price embarked in a boat for Ava. Mr. Judson's journa' says: " After much tedious detention, resulting from our connexion with government, brother Price and my self set out from Rangoon, on the 28th of August, in a boat furnished at the public expense; and on the 27th of September reached Ava, the present capital, a few miles below Amarapora. We were immedi- ately introduced to the King, who received brother Price very graciously, and made many inquiries about his medical skill, but took no notice of me, ex cept as interpreter. The Atwenwoon Moung Zah, however, immediately recognised me, made a few inquiries about my welfare, in presence of the King and after his Majesty had withdrawn, converse'd a little on religious subjects, and gave me some private encouragement to remain at the capital. " Oct. 1. To-day the King noticed me for the first time, though I have appeared before him nearly every day since our arrival. After making some in- quiries, as usual, about brother Price, he added, ' And you, in black, what are you? a medical man too.'" 'Not a medical man, but a teacher of reli- gion, your Majesty.' He proceeded to make a few inquiries about my religion, and then put the alar- ming question, whether any had embraced it. I evaded, by saying. 'Not here.' He persisted. 'Are there any in Rangoon?' 'There area few.' 'Are they foreigners?' I trembled for the conse- quence of an answer, which might involve the little MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 255 church in ruin; but the truth must be sacrificed, or the consequences hazarded; and I therefore rejjlied, * There are some foreigners and some Burmans.' He remained silent a few moments, but presently showed that he was not displeased, by asking a great variety of questions on religion, and geography, and astronomy, some of which were answered in such a satisfactory manner, as to occasion a general expres- sion of approbation in all the court present. After his Majesty retired, a Than-dau-tsen (a royal sec- retary) entered into conversation, and allowed me to expatiate on several topics of the Christian religion, in my usual way. And all this took place in the liearing of the very man, now an Atwenwoon, who, many years ago, caused his uncle to be tortured al- most to death, under the iron mall, for renouncing Boodhism and embracing the Roman Catholic reli- gion! But I knew it not at the time, though, from his age, a slight suspicion of the truth passed across my mind. Thanks to God for the encouragement ofthis day ! The monarch of the empire has distinct- ly understood, that some of his subjects have embrac- ed the Christian religion, and his wrath has been re- strained. Let us then hope, that, as he becomes more acquainted with the excellence of the religion, he will be more and more willing that his subjects should embrace it. " 3. Left the boat, and moved into the house or- dered to be erected for us by the King. A mere temporary shed, however, it proves to be, scarcely sufficient to screen us from the gaze of the people without, or from the rain above. It is situated near the present palace, and joins the enclosure of Prince M. eldest half brother of the King. ** 4. On our return from the palace, whither we go every morning after breakfast. Prince M. sent for me. I had seen him once before, in company with brother Price, whom he called for medical ad- vice. To-day he wished to converse on science and religion. He is a fine young man of twenty-eight, 256 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. but greatly disfigured by a paralytic affection of the arms and legs. Being cut off from the usual sources of amusement, and having associated a little with the Portuguese padres, who have lived at Ava, he has acquired a strong taste for foreign science. My communications interested him very much, and I found it difficult to get away, until brother Price sent expressly for me to go again to the palace." The journal mentions that Mr. J. was ill about ten days with the fever and ague, and that he after- wards held several conversations at the palace, with various distinguished individuals, on the subject of religion. It then proceeds : " Oct. 22. Brother Price went to Amarapora, to meet a gentleman just arrived from Rangoon, who we hope may have letters for us. At night, broth- er Price returned, with a large parcel of letters and magazines and newspapers from our beloved, far- distant, native land — and what was still more inter- esting to me, eight sheets from Mrs. Judson, on her passage towards England, the first direct intelligence 1 have received from her, since she left Madras roads. A single line from Bengal informs me of the death of dear brother Colman, but leaves me ignorant of the particulars. May our bereaved sis- ter be supported under this heaviest of all afflictions; and may the severe loss which the mission has sus- tained, be sanctified to us all. " 23. Had some pleasant conversation with Moung Z. in the palace, partly in the hearing of the King. At length his Majesty came forward, and honored me with some personal notice for the second time, inquired much about my country, and authorized me to invite American ships to his dominions, assur- ing them of protection, and offering every facility for the purposes of trade. "28. Spent the forenoon with Prince M. He obtained for the first time, (though I have explain- ed it to him many times,) some view of the nature MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 257 of the atonement, and cried out, ' Good, good.' He then proposed a number of objections, which I re- moved, to his apparent satisfaction. Our subse- quent conversation turned, as usual, on points of geography and astronomy. He camlidly acknowl- edged, that he could not resist my arguments in fa- vor of the Copernican system; and that, if he admit- ted them, he must also admit that the Boodhist system was overthrown. '* Oct. 30. Spent part of the forenoon with Prince M. and his wife, the Princess of S. own sister of the King. Gave her a copy of Mrs. Judson's Burmaa Catechism, with which she was much pleased. They both appear to be somewhat attached to me, and say, do not return to Rangoon; but, when your wife arrives, call her to Ava. The King will give you a piece of ground, on which to build a kyoung, (a liouse appropriated to the residence of sacred characters.) " 31. Visited the Atwenwoon Moung K. whom I have frequently met at the i)alace, who has treat- ed me with distinguished candor. He received me very politely, and, laying aside his olhcial dignity, entered into a most spirited dispute on various points of religion. He pretended to maintain his ground without the shadow of doubt; but I am in- clined to think that he has serious doubts. We parted in a friendly manner, and he invited me to visit him occasionally. "Nov. 1. Visited the Tset-kyah-woongyee, at his particular request, with brother Price. He made the usual inquiries, medical and theological, and treated us with marked politeness. " N. B. The Woongyees, of which there are four, rank next to the members of the royal family, being public ministers of state, and forming the high court of the empire. The Atwenwoons, of which there are six or seven, may be termed private ministers of state, forming the privy council of the King. The next in rank to the Woongyees, are Woondouks, 22* 258 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. assistants or deputies of the Woong-yees. The sub ordinate officers, both of" the palace and of the high court, are quite innumerable. " 6. Since the last date, have been confined with another return of the fever and ague. " 7. Ventured to call again on the great Prince, and Avas rather better received, but had no religious conversation. "11. Visited the Than-dau-tsen Moung Tsoo, (of Oct. 1st) and spent an hour very agreeably^ though unable to introduce religion. He manifests more personal friendship than any other of my Ava acquaintances. " N. B. Understood that, according to the public registers, forty thousand houses have been removed from Amarapora to Ava, the new capital, and that thirty thousand remain. The Burmans reckon ten persons, great and small, to a house, which gives seven hundred thousand for the whole population of the metropolis of Burmah. " Nov. 12. Spent the whole forenoon with prmce M. and his wife. Made a fuller disclosure than ever before of the nature of the Christian religion, the object of Christians in sending me to this country, my f)rmer repulse at court, and the reason of it, our exposure to persecution in Ran- goon, the affair of Moung Shwa-gnong, &c. &c. They entered into my views and feelings with considerable interest; but both said decidedly, that though the King would not himself persecute any one on account of religion, he would not give any order exempting from persecution, but would leave his subjects throughout the Empire, to the regular administration of the local authorities. " After giving the Prince a succinct account of my religious experience, I ventured to Avarn him of his danger, and urged him to make the Christian religion his immediate personal concern. He appear- ed, for a moment, to feel the f)rce of what I said: but soon replied, ' I am yet young, only twenty-eight. MEMOIR OP MRS. JUDSON. 259 I am desirous of studying all the foreign arts and sciences. My mind will then be enlarged, and I shall he capable of judging whether the Christian religion be true or not.' ' But suj)i)ose your Higli- ness changes worlds in the meantime.' His counte- nance again fell. ' It is true,' said he, ' I know not when I shall die.' I suggested that it would be well to pray to God for light, which, if obtained, would enable him at once to distinguish between truth and falsehood; and so we parted. O, Fountain of I^ight; shed down one ray into the mind of this amiable Prince, that he may become a patron of thine infant cause, and inherit an eternal crown." Mr. J. found great difficulty in obtaining a piece of ground, on wliich to build a house. The King gave him a lot, but the grant was soon revoked. Mr. J. says: " In prosecuting this business, I had one notice- able interview with the King. Brother Price and two English gentlemen were present. The King appeared to be attracted by our number, and came towards us; but his conversation was directed chiefly to me. He again inquired about the Bu rmans •who had embraced my religion. 'Are they real Burmans.'' Do they dress like other Burmans?' &c. I had occasion to remark, that I preached every Sunday. 'What! in Burman.'" Yes. 'Let us hear how you preach.' I hesitated. An AtwenAvoon repeated the order. I began with a form of worship, which first ascribes glory to God, and then declares the commands of the law ami the Gospel; after which I stopped. ' Go on,' said another Atwenwoon. The whole court was profoundly silent. I proceed- ed with a few sentences declarative of the perfections of God, when his Majesty's curiosity was satisfied, and he interrupted me. In the course of subsequent conversation, he asked what I had to say of Gauda- ma. I rephed, that we all knew he was son of King Thog-dau-dah-nah; that we regarded him as 260 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. a wise man and a great teacher, but did not call him God. ' That is right,' said Moung K. N. an Atwenvvoon who had not hitherto appeared very friendly to me. And he proceeded to relate the substance of a long communication, which I had lately made to him in the privy council room, about God, and Christ, &c. And this he did, in a very clear and satisfactory manner, so that I had scarce- ly a single correction to make in his statement. Moung Z. encouraged by all this, really began to take the side of God, before his Majesty, and said, * Nearly all the world, your Majesty, believe in an eternal God; all, except Burmah and Siam, these little spots!' His Majesty remained silent; and after some other desultory inquiries, he abruptly arose and retired." Mr. J. at length procured a piece of ground, pleasantly situated on the bank of the river, just without the walls of the town, and about a mile from the palace, on which he built a small house. On visiting the Woongyee, to pay him for the land, an interesting scene occurred: " A few noblemen and their attendants were f^ present, which prevented me from immediately producing the money. His Excellency soon took notice of me, and from seven o'clock till nine, the time was chiefly occupied in conversation on relig- ious subjects. I found opportunity to bring forward some of my favorite arguments, one of which, in particular, seemed to carry conviction to the minds of all present; and extorted from the great man an expression of praise — such praise, however, as is indicative of surprise, rather than approbation. When the company retired, my people at the outer door overheard one say to another, ' Is it not pleas- ant to hear this foreign teacher converse on religion?* * Ay,' said the other, ' but his doctrines are derog- atory to the honor of Lord Gaudama.' When MEMOIR OF MRS. JUnSON. 2G1 they were gone, I presented the money, snyinp, that I wished to defray the expense of fencinj"^ the pround, which had been graciously given me. His Excellency was pleased with the otfer, but gently declined accepting anything. He then looked stead- ily at me, as if to penetrate into the motives of my conduct; and recollecting the manoeuvres of the first English settlers in Bengal, thought he had discov- ered something — ' Understand, teacher, that we do not give you the entire owning of this ground. We take no recompense, lest it become American territory. We give it to you for your present residence only; and when you go away, shall take it again.' * When I go away, my lord, those at whose expense the house is to be built, will desire to place another teacher in my stead.' ' Very well, let him also occupy the place; but when he dies, or when there is no teacher, we will take it.' * In that case, my lord, take it.' "Jan. 18. Removed to Chagaing, mto a house which Prince M. has allowed brother Price to build on his ground, in expectation that a change of air and residence would relieve me from the fever and ague, under which I suffer nearly every other day. It is my intention, however, to return imme- diately to Rangoon, the time being nearly expired, which I at first proposed to spend in Ava, and the ends for which I came up, being sufficiently gained. " 22. Took leave of Prince M. He desired me to return soon, and bring with me all the Christian Scriptures, and translate them into Burman; * for,' said he, * I wish to read them all.' "24. Went to take leave of the King, in company with Mr. L. collector of the port of Ran- goon, who arrived last evening. We sat a few rno- ments conversing together. ' What are you talking about?' said his Majesty. * He is speaking of his return to Rangoon,' replied Mr. L. « What does he return for.^ Let them not return. Let them both, (thai is, brother Price and myself,) stay together. 262 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. If one goes away, the other must remain alone, and will be unhappy.' ' He wishes to go for a short time only,' replied Mr. L. to bring his wife, the female teacher, and his goods, not having brought anything with him this time; and he will return soon.' His Majesty looked at me, ' Will you then come again ?' I replied in the affirmative. 'When you come again, is it your intention to remain permanently, or will you go back and forth, as foreigners commonly do .?' ' When I come again, it is my intention to remain permanently.' ' Very well,' said his Majes- ty, and withdrew into his inner apartment. " Heard to-day of the death of Mah Myat-la, sis- ter of Mah-Men-la, one of the most steadfast of the church in Rangoon. " Jan. 25. Embarked on a small boat, intending to go day and night, and touch nowhere, in order to avoid the robbers, of which we have lately had alarming accounts. " Feb. 2. Lord's-day. At one o'clock in the morning, reached Rangoon, seven days from Ava. "Several of the disciples soon came over from Dahlah, on the opposite side of the river, whither they and some others of the disciples and inquirers have taken refuge, to escape the heavy taxations and the illegal harassments of every kind allowed under the new Viceroy of Rangoon. Others of the disciples have fled elsewhere, so that there is not a single one remaining in Rangoon, except three or four with us. The house of some of the disciples has been demolished, and their place taken by gov- ernment, at the instigation of their neighbours, who hate them on account of religion. Mah Myat-la died before the removal. Her sister gave me the particulars of her death. Some of her last expres- sions were — ' I put my trust in Jesus Christ — I love to pray to him — am not afraid of death — shall soon be with Christ in heaven." During more than two years after this period, no MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 2G3 regular journal was kept by cither of the Missiona- ries; and our narrative of the very inij)ortant events which occurred in this interval, must be gathered from letters written to various individuals in this country. The following letter from Mr. Judson to Rev. Dr. Sharp, of Boston, exhibits the state of the mission, during several months after his return to Rangoon: '* Rangoon, Aug. 5, 1823. *' Rev and dear Brother, " It is with real satisfaction, that I am able to in- form you of the completion of the New Testament in Burman, about six weeks ago; since which I have added, by Avay of introduction, an epitome of the Old Testament, in twelve sections, consisting of a summary of Scripture History, from the creation to the coming of Christ, and an abstract of the most important prophecies of the Messiah and his king dom, from the Psalms, Isaiah, and other prophets. I trust this work will be found as valuable, as any part of the preceding; for though not, strictly speak- ing, the word of God, it is compiled almost entirely in the words of Scripture, is received by the converts with great eagerness, and found to be peculiarly in- teresting and instructive; and forms, moreover, a sort of text-book, from which I am able to commu- nicate much information on the history, types, and prophecies of the Old Testament, in a systematic manner. " I have heard but little from Ava since I left. Prince M. sometini'^s inquires for me, and wishes to hear more about the Christian religion. Brother Price is building a small brick house on the opposite side of the river, the King having given him bricks. I expect to remove as soon as Mrs. Judson returns, from whom I have not, however, received a word of inteUigence for nearly ten months. Brother Hough has not yet been able to get types from Ben- gal; no printing, therefore, has been done since his return. 264 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON " I hope it will not be long before the Gospel and Epistles of John are printed. They have been ready for the press above a year, and have been so thoroug-hly and repeatedly revised, that I flatter myself that subsequent translators will not find it necessary to make many alterations. Indeed, all the Gospels and the Acts are in a tolerable state; the Epistles are still deficient. But I never read a chapter without a pencil in hand, and Griesbach and Parkhurst at my elbow; and it will be an object with me through life, to bring the translation into such a state, that it may be a standard work." On the 5th of December, 1823, Mrs. Judson, with Mr. and Mrs. Wade, arrived at Rangoon. Mr» Judson, in a letter to Rev. Dr. Baldwin, thus an- nounced this joyful event : « Rangoon, Dec. 7, 1823. " Rev. and dear Sir, " I had the inexpressible happiness of welcoming Mrs. Judson once more to the shores of Burmah, on the 5th inst. We are now on the eve of depar- ture for Ava. " My last letter from brother Price mentions that the King has inquired many times about my delay, and the Queen has expressed a strong desire to see Mrs. Judson in her foreign dress. We sincerely hope that her Majesty's curiosity will not be con- fined to dress. " Mr. and Mrs. Wade appear in fine health and spirits, and I am heartily rejoiced at their arrival, just at the present time. " I enclose the translation of a letter from Moung Shwa-ba, which has been lying by me sometime, for want of a good opportunity of conveyance." Translation of a letter, written by Moung Shwa-ba, to Rev. Dr. Bald- win, and translated from the Burman original, Sept. 23, 1823. " Moung Shwa-ba, an inhabitant of Rangoon, a town of Burmah, one who adheres to the religion MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 265 of Christ, and has been baptized, who meditates on the immeasurable, inc^lcuhible nature of the divine splendor and glory of the Invisible, even the Lord Jesus Clirist and God the Father, and takes refug-e in the wisdom and power and glory of God, affectionately addresses the great teacher Baldwin, a superintendent of missionary affairs in the city of Boston, of America. " Beloved elder Brother, " Though in the present state, the places of our residence are very far aj)art, and Ave have never met, yet by means of letters, and ol" the words of teacher Judson, who has told me of you, I love you, and wish to send you this letter. When the time ar- rives in which we shall wholly put on Christ — him, in loving whom we cannot tire, and in j)raising whom we can find no end, and shall be adorned with those ornaments, which the Lord will dispense to us out of the heavenly treasure house, that he has prepar- ed, then we shall love one another more perfectly than we do now. " Formerly, I was in the habit of concealing my sins, Ihat they might not a])pear; but now I am con- vinced, that I cannot conceal my sins from the Lord who sees and knows all things; and that I cannot atone for them, nor obtain atonement from my for- mer objects of worship. And accordingly, I count myself to have lost all, under the elements of the Av'orld, and through the grace of the faith of Christ only, to have gained the si)iritual graces and rewards pertaining to eternity, which cannot be lost. There- fore, I have no ground f^)r boasting, pride, passion, and self exaltation. And without desi ring the i)raise of men, or seeking my own will, I WMsh to do the will of God the Father. The members of the body, dead in trespasses and sins, displeasing to God, I de- sire to make instruments of righteousness, not fol- lowing the will of the flesh. Worldly desire and heavenly desire being contrary the one to the other, 23 266 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. and the desire of visible thing's counteracting- the de- sire of invisible things, I am as a dead man. How- ever, he quickens the dead. He awakens those that sleep. He hfts up those that fall. He opens blind eyes. He perforates deaf ears. He lights a lamp in the great house of darkness. He relieves the wretched. He ieeds the hungry. The words of such a benefactor, if we reject, we must die forever, and come to everlasting destruction. Which cir- cumstance considering, and meditating also on sick- ness, old age and death, incident to the present state of mutability, I kneel and prostrate myself, and pray before God, the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, who has made an atonement for our sins, that he may have mercy on me and pardon my sins, and make me holy, and give me a repenting, believ- ing, and loving mind. " Formerly, I trusted in my own merits; but now, through the preaching and instruction of teacher Judson, I trust in the merit of the Lord Jesus Christ. The teacher, therefore, is the tree; we are the blossoms and fruit. He has labored to partake of the fruit, and now the tree begins to bear. The bread of life he has given, and we eat. The water from the brook which flows from the top of mount Calvary, for the cleansing of all filth, he has brought, and made us bathe and drink. The bread of which we eat, will yet ferment and rise. The water which we drink and bathe in, is the water of an unfailing spring; and many will yet drink and bathe therein. Then all things will be regenerated and changed. Now we are strangers and pilgrims; and it is my desire, without adhering to the things of this world, but longing for my native abode, to consider and inquire, how long I must labor here; to whom I ought to show the light which I have obtained; when I ought to put it up, and when disclose it. "The inhabitants of this country of Burmah, being in the evil practice of ibrbidden lust, erroneous MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 267 worship, and iklse speech, deride the rehgion of Clirist. However, that we may bear patiently derision, and persecution, and death, for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ, pray for us. I do thus pray. For, elder brother, I have to bear the threatening of my own brother, and my brother-in law, who say, ' We will beat and bruise and pound you; we will bring you into great difficulty; you associate with false people; you keep a false religion; and you speak false words.' However, their false religion is the religion of death. The doctrine of the cross is the religion of life, of love, of faith. I am a servant of faith. Formerly I was a servant of Satan. Now I am a servant of Christ. And a good servant cannot but follow his master. Moreover, the divine promises must be accomplished. " In this country of Burmah, are many strayed sheep. Teacher J udson, pitying them, has come to gather them together, and to feed them in love. Some will not listen, but run away. Some do listen and adhere to him: and that our numbers may increase, we meet together, and pray to the great Proprietor of the sheep. " Thus I, MouNG Shwa-ba, a disciple of teacher Judson, in Rangoon, write and send this letter to the great teacher Baldwin, who lives in Boston, America." Mr. Wade, in a letter to Dr. Staughton, then the Corresponding Secretary, gave some account of the passage from America : •Rev. and very dear Sir, " Guided and directed by the kind providence of God, we have reached in safety the place of our destination. His goodness and mercy have con- stantly attended us since we left America. May it provoke our gratitude and incite us to new obedi- ence. " During the voyage from Boston to Calcutta, 268 MEMOIR OP MRS. JUDSON. after having recovered from sea sickness, I applied myself to the study of the Burman language under the instructions of Mrs. Judson. The captain allowed us to have worship on deck every Sabbath and expressed not only a willingness, but some anxiety, that I should take frequent opportunities to converse with the sailors on the important concerns of their souls. They gave good attention to instruction, though without any very apparent religious feeling. Most of them were Roman Catholics. The captain was well convinced of the utility and consequent importance of having wor- ship among the sailors on the Lord's-day. " We arrived in Calcutta on the 19th of October, and, in about two weeks after, found a ship that was to sail for Rangoon in a few days. We were informed that there was a great prospect of a war between the English and Burmans. On this account, we were urgently advised by all the friends in Se- rampore and Calcutta not to venture ourselves in Rangoon. This advice was enforced by an account of the real state of things, kindly afforded for the purpose, by the chief secretary of the government of Bengal. Notwithstanding, we felt it our duty, if an opportunity offered, to venture, trusting in the great Arbiter of Hfe and death for protection. Consequently, we engaged a passage in the above mentioned ship, and sailed on the 1 5th of November, and arrived in Rangoon on the 5th of December. I trust we all felt some emotions of gratitude to the great Father of all our mercies, when we entered this great empire of darkness; where, having been wanderers for seven months, we found a place that we could call our own, which, though in a barbarous land, far from friends, is desirable, because we have some assurance that it is the place of residence designated for us by God himself— and ' Heaven itself, without my God, Would be no joy to me.' ** The prospect of war has been dailv increasmg MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 269 ever since we arrived. We cannot ])re(lict the final issue; but we pray that it may be for the advance- ment of the object of this Mission." CHAPTER XV. Mr. and Mrs. Judson visit Ava — War with the British. Mr. and Mrs. Judson, immediately after her ar- rival, left Rangoon for Ava, leaving Mr. and Mrs. Wade, with Mr. Hough and family, at Rangoon. The following letter of Mrs. Judson to her i)a- rents, contains a brief account of the passage, and of the state of things at Ava. It is the last letter that she wrote, before the occurrence of those dread- ful events, wliich, for nearly two years, subjected the Missionaries to sufferings and dangers, which have had few parallels in the history of missions. " Ava, Feb. 10, 1824. " My dear Parents and Sisters, " After two years and a half wandering, you will be pleased to hear that I have at last arrived at home, so far as this life is concerned, and am once more quietly and happily settled with Mr. Judson. When I retrace the scenes through which I have passed, the immense space I have traversed, and the various dangers, seen and unseen, from which I have been preserved, my heart is fdled with grati- tude and praise to that Being, who has at all times been my protector, and marked out all the w^ay be- fore me. Surely no one was ever more highly fa- vored, no being was ever under greater obligations to make sacrifices for the promotion of God's glory, than I am at this moment. And I think I feel, more than ever, the importance of being spiritual and humble, and so to cherish the influences of the Ho- V Spirit, that in the communication of divine truth, 270 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. powerful impressions may be made, and tiiat I may- no more wander from Him, who is deserving of all my services and affections. " I wrote from Rangoon, but for fear my letters should not have arrived, I Avill mention a few things therein contained. We had a quick and pleasant passage from Calcutta to Rangoon. Mr. J.'s boat was all in readiness, my baggage was immediately taken from the ship to the boat, and in seven days from my arrival, we were on our way to the capital. Our boat was small and inconvenient; but the current at this season is so very strong, and the wind always against us, that our progress was slow indeed. The season however was cool and delight- ful; we were preserved from dangers by day and robbers by night, and arrived in safety in six weeks. The A-rah-wah-tee (Irrawaddy) is a noble river; its banks everywhere covered with immortal beings, destined to the same eternity as ourselves. We of ten walked through the villages; and though we never received the least insult, always attracted uni- versal attention. A foreign female was a sight never before beheld, and all were anxious that their friends and relatives should have a view. Crowds followed us through the villages, and some who were less civilized than others, would run some way before us, in order to have a long look as we ap- proached them. In one instance, the boat being sometime in doubling a point we had walked over, we seated ourselves down, when the villagers as usual assembled, and Mr. Judson introduced the subject of religion. Several old men who were })resent entered into conversation, while the multi- lude was all attention. The apparent school-master of the village coming up, Mr. Judson handed him a tract, and requested him to read. After proceeding some way, he remarked to the assembly, that such a writing was worthy of being copied, and asked Mr. Judson to remain while he copied it. Mr. Judson informed him he might keep the tract, on condition MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 27l he read it to all his neighbours. We could not hut hope the Spirit of God would bless those fewsimjjle truths to the salvation of some of their souls. "Our boat was near being- u])8et in passin^^ through one of the rapids, with which tliLs river abounds. The rudder became entangled in the locks, which brought the boat across the stream, and laid her on one side. The steersman, however, liad presence of mind sufficient to cut the rudilcr from the boat, which caused her to right, without experiencing any other inconvenience than a thor- ough fright, and the loss of our breakfast, which was precipitated from the fireplace into the water, together with everything on the outside of the boat. "On our arrival at Ava, we had more difficulties to encounter, and such as we had never before expe- rienced. We had no home, no house to shelter us from the burning sun by day, and the cold dews at night. Dr. Price had^indly met us on the way, and urged our taking up our residence with hini; but liis house was in such an unfinished state, ami the walls so damp, (of brick, and just built) that spending two or three hours threw me into a fever, and induced me to feel that it would be presumption to remain longer. We had but one alternative, to remain in the boat till we could build a small house on the spot of ground which the King gave Mr. J udson last year. And you will hardly believe it possible, for I almost doubt my senses, that in just a fortnight from our arrival, we moved into a house built in that time, and which is sufficiently large to make us comfortable. It is in a most delightful sit- uation, out of the dust of the town, and on the bank of the river. The spot of ground given by his Majesty is small, being only 120 feet long, and 75 wide; but it is our own, and is the most healthy situation I have seen. Our house is raised four ieet from the ground, and consists of three small rooms and a verandali. " I hardly know how we shall bear the hot season, 272 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSOW. which is just commencing', as our house is built of hoards, and before night, is heated Hke an oven. Nothing- but brick is a shelter from the heat of Ava, where the thermometer, even in the shade, frequent- ly rises to a hundred and eight degrees. We have worship every evening in Burman, when a number of the natives assemble; and every Sabbath Mr. Judson preaches the other side of the river, in Dr. Price's house. We feel it an inestimable privilege, that amid alt our discouragements we have the lan- guage, and are able constantly to communicate truths which can save the soul. " My female school has already commenced, with three little girls, who are learning to read, sew, &c. Two of them are sisters, and we have named them Mary and Jlhhy Hasseltine. One of them is to be supported with the money which the ' Judson Asso- ciation of Bradford Academy * have engaged to col- lect. They are fine children, and improve as rapidly as any children in the world. Their mother is de- ranged, and their father gave them to me to educate, so that I have been at no expense for them, except- ing their food and clothes. I have already begun to make inquiries for children, and doubt not we shatl be directed in regard to our school. " I have not yet been at the palace, the royal family all being absent. They returned to Amara- pora a day or two afler our arrival, where they wiH remain till the new palace in this city is finished, when they will take possession in the usual form., and Ava in future will be their residence. My old friend, the lady of the Viceroy of Rangoon, who died in my absence, came to the boat to see me im- mediately on being informed of my arrival. All her power and distinction ceased at the death of her husband, and she is now only a private woman. She is, however, a very sensible woman, and there is much more hope of her attending to the subject of rehgion now, than when in public life. I intend to visit her frequently, and make it an object to fix MEMOIR OP MRS. JUDSON. 273 her attention to tlie subject. In consequence of war "with the Bengal government, foreigners are not so much esteemed at court as formerly. I know not what efiect this war will have on our mission; but we must leave the event with Him who has hitherto directed us." Rumors of approaching war with the Bengal government had, for sometime, disturbed the public mind. It has been well ascertained, that his Bur- man Emperor cherished the ambitious design of invading Bengal. He had collected in Arracan, an army of 30,000 men, under the command of his most successful General, Maha Bandoola. It is said, that the army was furnished with a pair of golden fetters, destined to the honorable service of being worn by the Governor General of India, when he should be led as a captive to the golden feet, at Ava.* The Bengal government, however, resolved to anticipate the blow, by a sudden irruption into the Burman empire. The encroachments of the Bur- mese government on the Company's possessions had been long a subject of complaint; and all attempts to obtain redress had been met by neglect, and at last, by preparations for invasion on the part of the Burmese. In May, 1824, an army of about six thousand English and native troops, under the command of Sir Archibald Campbell, arrived at Rangoon. So entirely unexpected was this attack, that no resis- tance was made, except a few shots from the fortifi- cations along the river. The following letter from Mr. Wade to Mr. Law- son, of Calcutta, relates the wonderful escape of the Missionaries from the fate which seemed, for several hours, to be impending over them. Truly, the Lord is a present help in trouble. He interposed on this * Snodgrass' Burmese War, p. 277. S74 MEMOIR or MRS. JUDSON. occasion, while the heathen raged, and suffered them to do his prophets no harm. « Rangoon, May 15, 1824. •* Dear brother Lawson, , " You would not think it strange if, by this time, we should express some regret for our imprudence in having left Bengal, contrary to the advice of our friends. If we had remained in Calcutta or Seram- pore, we should doubtless have been exempt from the inexpressible sufferings of body and mind, which we experienced during a part of the present week. But since God has graciously preserved our lives, and restored to us rest and quietness, lor reasons which may easily be conceived by a Christian, we rejoice that we have been afflicted. " We did not apprehend, until last Monday, that war was declared against the Burmans. The most credible information which we could obtain, assured us, that all grievances were amicably settled. But on Monday last, information came, that a number of ships were at the mouth of the river. Government immediately ordered every person in Rangoon who wears a hat, to be taken prisoner, which was accor- dingly done. In the course of the succeeding night, Mr. Hough and myself were chained, and put into close confinement, under armed keepers. In the morning the fleet was in sight of the town, and our keepers were ordered to massacre us the moment the first shot was fired upon the town. But when the firing commenced, our murderers were so effectually panic struck, that they all slunk away into one cor- ner of the prison, speechless, and almost breathless. The next, shot made our piison tremble and shake, as if it would be immediately down upon our heads. Our keepers now made for the prison door: we used every exertion to persuade them to remain, but all to no purpose; they broke open the door and fled. In a few moments after, the firing ceased; and we expected the troops were landing, and that we should MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 275 be soon released; Avhen, horrible to relate, about fif- ty Burmans rushed into the prison, drew us out, stripped us of everything; but pantaloons; our na- ked arms were drawn behind us, and corded as tiyfjit as the strength of one man would permit; and we were almost literally carried through the streets upon the points of their spears, to the seat of judg- ment, and were made to sit upon our knees, with our bodies bending forward, for the convenience of the executioner, who was ordered that moment to behead us. None of us understood the order but Mr. Hough. He requested the executioner to de- sist a moment, and petitioned the Ray-woon to send him on board the frigate, and promised to use his influence to prevent any further firing upon the town. The hnguists seconded the proposal, and pleaded that we might be reprieved for a few moments. ** The Ray-woon answered. If the English fire Rgain, there shall be no reprieve: and asked Mr, Hough if he would positively promise to put an im- mediate stop to the firing, which you will recollect had been discontinued, from the time that our keep- ers in prison fled. At this moment, several shots were sent very near us: the government people fled from the seat of judgment, and took refuge under the banks of a neighbouring tank. All the others fled from the town, but kept us before them: we were obliged to make our way as fast as possible, for the madness and terror of our attendants allowed us no compliments. " We were soon overtaken by the government people, fleeing upon horseback. " About a mile and a half from the town they halt- ed, and we were again placed before them. Mr. Hough and the linguists renewed their petition. After a few moments' conversation, his irons were taken off', and he was sent on board the frigate, vvith the most awful threatenings to himself and us, if he iid not succeed. "The remainder of us were obliged again to re- 276 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. sume our march. Finally, a part of us were con- lined in a strong building, at the foot of the golden pagoda. I, with two others, was taken into the pagoda, and confined in a strong building, and lef> under the care of a door-keeper. After dark this fellow, by the promise of a present, was induced to remove us into a kind of vault, which had but a small aperture, and was without windows: it afford- ed only sufficient air for the purpose of respiration. The fellow himself, I believe, ran away. We were several times alarmed during the night. " The next morning early, we were searched for by our blood thirsty enemies, who, upon finding we were not in the room where they left us, concluded that we had escaped and fled. We expected every moment we should be discovered, when, to our great relief, we heard them cry out, ' The English are coming ! ' and they fled. We waited, however, in vain, to hear some sound which would assure us that it would be safe to cry out for assistance ; for we soon found we were again surrounded with Burmans. " About noon, the English troops came up, and to our inexpressible joy, relieved us from our unpleas- ant situation. As soon as I could be disengaged from my galling chains, I hastened to the mission-house, to learn the fate of Mrs. Wade and Hough. I found them safe and well; but though not imprisoned, they had experienced great sufferings, and escaped great dangers. Mr. Hough I also found safe at the mission-house. When we met and heard the re- lation of each other's dangers and escapes, we felt constrained to join in the most hearty acknowledg- ments of gratitude to God, by whose divine inter- position our lives had been preserved. " I have too little room to think of entering upon our feehngs when we viewed ourselves as in one moment more, to launch into eternity. Suffice it to say, I felt an assurance in the grace of God, which dis- armed death of its terror. The hope of the GospeJ MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 277 seemed to me a treasure, whose value was beyond all computation. Finally, I trust the dangers and sufferings of the past week have yielded me a rich spiritual harvest. " All who had been taken prisoners, and ordered to be executed by the Burmans, Avere on Wednesday regained, and set at liberty by the English tro()])s. All the Burmans have fled to the jungles, and have built several stockades in different directions from the town, some of which have already been taken and burned by the English troops. " The Ray-woon orders every person to be put to death who betrays the least desire to return to Ran- goon. Numbers of Siamese, Parsees, Portuguese, Musselmans, and even Burmans, have been found in the jungles, who have been murdered by the Bur- mans themselves. '^Monday, 17. The army has penetrated the country for several miles around us. The result of every engagement, as yet, has been in favor of the English. " You will be able to obtain a full account of the state of aftairs in this place, from the public papers, else I should be more minute in my communications. "It is between two and three months since wfii have received any letter from Mr. Judson or Doc tor Price. It is impossible to predict their fate. We tremble whenever we think of them. We car. only pray, that God, who has delivered us out of the hands of our cruel enemies, may deliver then", also." LETTER FROM MR. HOUGH TO DR. STAUGHTON. " Rangoon, June 6, 1824. " Rev. and dear S ?: "We are now amid the noise and bustle of war, and are surrounded, on all sides, by an army of ten thousand British troops, a greater part of which came up the river, and attacked the town on the 21 378 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON, 1 1 th ult. The town was completely evacuated when the British landed, by the Burmans, who all fled into the interior of the country. Many skirmishes have taken place since, and we are now, from the forces which the Burman chiefs are collecting, expecting, probably within sight and hearing, a bloody and destructive battle. The Burmans have exercised many cruelties, both on one another, and on a k\v prisoners who have unhappily fallen into their hands. This presents no inducement to the English to spare their lives. The war, according to every present appearance, must continue for some- time to come. Every Burman Christian, excepting Moung Shwa-ba, has fled, and all missionary work, excepting the study of the language, has ceased. " We have not heard from brothers Judson and Price for a long time. Now all communication is cut off". We cannot but feel many anxieties on their account. The mission property here has sustained no injury; and, unless the Burmans make a sudden irruption, will, I trust, under God, remain undisturbed. Should we, however, fall into the hands of the Burmans, in their present state of feeling, we have no human probability on which to hope for safety." Messrs. Hough and Wade, with their wives, soon after returned to Bengal, their stay in Rangoon being attended with danger, while they had no opportunity of effecting anything for the mission. Mr. and Mrs. Wade here continued the study of the language; and Mr. W. employed himself in printing the Burman Dictionary, which had been compiled by Mr. Judson — a work of great value to future Missionaries. The situation of the Missionaries at Ava now became a subject of intense anxiety to all the friends of the mission. There was too much rea- son to /ear that they had fallen victims to the hasty resentment of a vindictive and haughty MEMOIR OF MftS. JUDSON, 279 government. The English troops were uniformly victorious. Army after army of the Burmans was defeated ; and the English were on the advance towards the capital. These events were likely to incense the Burman government, and to induce them to treat all foreigners with the utmost severity. For nearly two years the cloud which concealed their fate hung dark and portentous. That suspense, which is often as dreadful as the most awful certain- ty, agitated the minds of their relatives, and of all the friends of missions, with alternate hopes aiihant, richly adorned with gold and jewels, was one of the most 284 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. beautiful objects in the procession. The King and Queen alone were unadorned, dressed in the simple garb of the country; they, hand in hand, entered the garden in which we had taken our seats, and where a banquet was prepared for their refresh- ment. All the riches and glory of the empire were on this day exhibited to view. The number and immense size of the elephants, the numerous horses, and great variety of vehicles of all descriptions, far surpassed anything I have ever seen or imagined. Soon after his Majesty had taken possession of the new palace, an order was issued that no foreigner should be allowed to enter, excepting Lansago. We were a little alarmed at this, but concluded it was from political motives, and would not, perhaps, essentially affect us. " For several weeks, nothing took place to alarm us, and we went on with our school. Mr. J. preached every Sabbath, all the materials for building a brick house were procured, and the masons had made considerable progress in raising the building. " On the 23d of May, 1824, just as we had con eluded worship at the Doctor's house, the other side of the river, a messenger came to inform us that Rangoon was taken by the English. The in- telligence produced a shock, in which was a mixture of fear and joy. Mr. Gouger, a young merchant residing at Ava, was then with us, and had much more reason to fear than the rest of us. We all, however, immediately returned to our house, and began to consider what was to be done. Mr. G. went to Prince Thar-yar-wa-dee, the King's most influential brother, who informed him he need not Tive himself any uneasiness, as he had mentioned the subject to his Majesty, who had replied, that * the fcAV foreigners residing at Ava, had nothing to do with the war, and should not be molested.' " The government were now all in motion. An army of ten or twelve thousand men, under the command of the Kyee-woon-gyee, Avere sent off in MEMOIR OP MRS. JUDSON". 285 tnree or four days, and were to be joined by the Sakyah-woon-gyee, who had previously been ap- pointed Viceroy of Rangoon, and who was on his way thither, when the news of its attack reached him. No doubt was entertained of the defeat of the English; the only fear of the King was, that the foreigners, hearing of the advance of the Burmese troops, would be so alarmed, as to flee on board their ships and depart, before there would be time to secure them as slaves. ' Bring for me,' said a wild young buck of the palace, ' six kala pyoo, ^white strangers,) to row my boat; and ' to m"e,' said the lady of a Woon-gyee, ' send four white strangers to manage the afTains of my house, as I understand they are trusty servants.' The war boats, in high glee, passed our house, the soldiers singing and dancing, and exhibiting gestures of the most joyoua kind. Poor fellows! said we, you will probably never dance again. And it so proved, for few if any ever saw again their native home. " As soon as the army were despatched, the gov- ernment began to inquire the cause of the arrival of the strangers at Rangoon. There must be spies in the country, suggested some, who have invited them over. And who so likely to be spies, as the Englishmen residing at Ava? A report was in circulation, that Captain Laird, lately arrived, had brought Bengal papers which contained the inten- tion of the English to take Rangoon, and it was kept a secret from Lis Majesty. An inquiry was instituted. The three Englishmen, Gouger, Laird, and Rogers, were called and examined. It was found they had seen the papers, and were put in confinement, though not in prison. We now began to tremble for ourselves, and were in daily expec- tation of some dreadful event. " At length Mr. Judson and Dr. Price were sum- moned to a court of examination, where strict in- quiry was made relative to all they knew. The great point seemed to be whether they had been in 896 MEMOIR OP MRS. JUDSON. the habit of making' communications to foreigners, of the state of the country, &c. They answered, they had always written to their friends in America, but had no correspondence with English officers, or the Bengal government. After their examination, they were not put in confinement as the Englishmen had been, but were allowed to return to thei houses. In examining the accounts of Mr. G. it was found that Mr. J. and Dr. Price had taken money of him to a considerable amount. Ignorant as were the Burmese of our mode of receiving money by orders on Bengal, this circumstance, to their suspicious minds, was a sufficient evidence, that the Missionaries were in the pay of the En- glish, and very probably spies. It was thus repre- sented to the King, who, in an angry tone, ordered the immediate arrest of the * two teachers.' " On the 8th of June, just as we were preparing for dinner, in rushed an officer, holding a black book, with a dozen Burmans, accompanied by one, whom, from his spotted face, we knew to be an execution- er, and a 'son of the prison.' 'Where is the teach- er?' was the first inquiry. Mr. Judson presented himself. ' You are called by the King,' said the of- ficer; a form of speech ahvays used when about to arrest a criminal. The spotted man instantly seized Mr. Judson, threw him on the floor, and produced the small cord, the instrument of torture. I caught hold of his arm; ' Stay, (said I,) I will give you money.' 'Take her too,' said the officer; 'she also is a foreigner.' Mr. Judson, with an imploring look, begged they would let me remain till further or ders. The scene was now shocking beyond descrij.- tion. The whole neighbourhood had collected — the masons at work on the brick house threw down their tools, and ran — the little Burman children were screaming and crying — the Bengalee servants stood in amazement at the indignities offered their master — ^apd the har'^.ened executioner, with a kind of hellish ^^y, drei\ tight the cords, >,ound Mr. Jud- MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 287 son fast, and dragg^ed him off I knew not whither. In vain I begged and entreated the spotted face to lake the silver, and loosen the ropes; but he spurned my offers, and immediately depart (vL I gave the money, liowever, to Moung Ing to follow after, to make some further attempt to mitigate the torture of Mr. Judson; but instead of succeeding, when a few rods from the house, the unfeeling wretches again threw their prisoner on the ground, and drew the cords still tighter, so as almost to prevent respi- ration. "The officer and his gang proceeded on to the court house, where the Governor of the city and of- ficers were collected, one of whom read the order of the King, to commit Mr. Judson to the death prib on, into which he was soon hurled, the door closed — and Moung Ing saw no more. What a night was now before me! I retired into my room, and en- deavoured to obtain consolation from committing my case to God, and imploring fortitude and strength to suffer whatever awaited me. But the consolation of retirement was not long allowed me, for the mag- istrate of the place had come into the verandah, and continually called me to come out, and submit to his examination. But previously to going out, I de- stroyed all my letters, journals, and writings of every kind, lest they should disclose the fact, that we had correspondents in England, and had minuted down every occurrence since our arrival in the country. When this work of destruction was finished, I went out and submitted to the examination of the magis- trate, who inquired very minutely of everything I knew; then ordered the gates of the compound to be shut, no person to be allowed to go in or out, placed a guard of ten ruffians, to whom he gave a strict charge to keep me safe, and departed. " It was now dark. I retired to an inner room with my four little Burman girls, and barred the doors. The guard instantly ordered me to unbar the doors and come out, or' they would break the 288 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. house down. I obstinately refused to obey, and en deavoured to intimidate them by threatening to com- plain of their conduct to higher authorities on the morrow. Finding me resolved in disregarding their orders, they took the two Bengalee servants, and confined them in the stocks in a very painful posi- tion. I could not enduie this; but called the head man to the window, and promised to make them all a present in the morning, if they would release the servants. After much debate, and many severe threatenings, they consented, but seemed resolved to annoy me as much as possible. My unprotected, desolate state, my entire uncertainty of the fate of Mr. Judson, and the dreadful carousings and al- most diabolical language of the guard, all conspired to make it by far the most distressing night I had ever passed. You may well imagine, my dear broth- er, that sleep was a stranger to my eyes, and peace and composure to my mind. "The next morning, I sent Moung Ing to ascer- tain the situation of your brother, and give him food, if still living. He soon returned, with the in- telligence, that Mr. Judson, and all the white for- eigners, were confined in the death prison, with three pairs of iron fetters each, and fastened to a long pole, to prevent their moving ! The point of my anguish now was, that I was a prisoner myself, and could make no efforts for the release of the Mission- aries. I begged and entreated the magistrate to allow me to go to some member of government to state my case; but he said he did not dare to con- sent, for fear I should make my escape. I next wrote a note to one of the King's sisters, with whom I had been intimate, requesting her to use her in- fluence for the release of the teachers. The note was returned with this message — She 'did not un- derstand it,' — which was a polite refusal to inter- fere; though I afterwards ascertained, that she had an anxious desire to assist us, but dared not on ac- count of the Queen. The day dragged heavily MEMOIR OP MRS. JUDSON. 289 away, and another dreadful nif^ht was before me. I endeavoured to soften the feehngs of the guard, by- giving them tea and segars for the night; so that they allowed me to remain inside of my room, with- out threatening as they did the night before. But the idea of your brother being stretched on the bare floor in irons and confinement, haunted my mind like a spectre, and prevented my obtaining any quiet sleep, though nature was almost exhausted. " On the third day, I sent a message to the Governor of the city, who has the entire direction of prison affairs, to allow me to visit him with a present. This had the desired effect; and he immediately sent orders to the guards, to permit my going into town. The Governor received me pleasantly, and asked me what I wanted. I stated to him the situation of the foreigners, and particularly that of the teachers, who were Americans, and had nothing to do with the war. He told me it was not in his power to release them from prison or irons, but that he could make their situation more comfort- able; there was his head officer, with whom I must consult, relative to the means. The officer, who proved to be one of the city writers, and whose countenance at the first glance presented the most perfect assemblage of all the evil passions attached to human nature, took me aside, and endeavoured to convince me, that myself, as well as the prisoners, was entirely at his disposal — that our future comfort must depend on my liberality in regard to presents — and that these must be made in a private way and unknown to any officer in the government! What must I do, said I, to obtain a mitigation of the present sufiljrings of the two teachers ? ' Pay to me,' said he, ^two hundred tickals, (about a hundred dollars,) two pieces of fine cloth, and two pieces of handkerchiefs.' I had taken money with me in the morning, our house being two miles from the prison — I could not easily return. This I offered to the writer, and begged he would not insist on the 290 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. other articles, as they were not in my possession. He hesitated for sometime, but fearing to lose the sight of so much money, he concluded to take it, promising to relieve the teachers from their most painful situation. " I then procured an order from the Governor, for my admittance into prison; but the sensations produced by meeting your brother in that wretched^ horrid situation, and the affecting scene which ensued, I will not attempt to describe. Mr. Judson crawled to the door of the prison — for I was never allowed to enter — gave me some directions relative to his release ; but before we could make any arrangement, I was ordered to depart, by those iron hearted jailers, who could not endure to see us enjoy the poor consolation of meeting in that miserable place. In vain I pleaded the order from the Governor for my admittance; they again harshly repeated, ' Depart, or we will pull you out.' The same evening, the Missionaries, together with the other foreigners, who paid an equal sum, were taken out of the common prison, and confined in an open shed in the prison enclosure. Here I was allowed to send them food, and mats to sleep on; but was not permitted to enter again for several days. " My next object was to get a petition presented to the Queen; but no person being admitted into the palace, who was in disgrace with his Majesty, I sought to present it through the medium of her brother's wife. I had visited her in better days, and received particular marks of her favor. But now times were altered: Mr. Judson was in prison, and I in distress, which was a sufficient reason for giving me a cold reception. I took a present of considerable value. She was lolling on her carpet as I entered, with her attendants around her. 1 waited not for the usual question to a suppliant, * What do you want?' but in a bold, earnest, yet Tespectful manner, stated our distresses and our wrongs, and begged her assistance. She partly MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 291 raised her head, open>.d the present I had brought, and coolly replied, ' Your case is not singular; all the foreigners are treated alike.' ' But it is singu- lar,' said I, ' the teachers are Americans; they are ministers of religion, have nothing to do with war or politics, and came to Ava in obedience to the King's command. They have never done anything to deserve such treatment; and is it right they should be treated thus?' ' The King does as he pleases,' said she; ' I am not the King, what can I do?' ' You can state their case to the Queen, and obtain their release,' replied I. ' Place yourself in my situation, — were you in America, your husband, innocent of crime, thrown into prison, in irons, and you a solitary, unprotected female — what would you do ?' With a slight degree of feeling, she said, ' I will present your petition, — come again to-morrow.' I returned to the liouse, with considerable hope, that the speedy release of the Missionaries was at hand. But the next day Mr. Gouger's property, to the amount of fifty thousand Rupees, was taken and carried to the palace. The officers, on their return, politely informed me, they should visit our house on the morrow. I felt obliged for this information, and accordingly made preparations to receive them, by secreting as many little articles as possible; together with considerable silver, as I knew, if the war should be protracted, we should be in a state of starvation without it. But my mind was in a dreadful state of agitation, lest it should be discov- ered, and cause my being thrown into prison. And had it been possible to procure money from any other quarter, I should not have ventured on such a step. " The following morning, the royal treasurer, the governor of the north gate of the palace, who was in future our steady friend, and another nobleman, attended by forty or fifty followers, came to take possession of all we had. I treated them civilly, gave them chairs to sit on, tea and sweetmeats for 292 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON their refreshment; and justice obliges me to say, that they conducted the business of confiscation with more regard to my feelings than I should have thought it possible for Burmese officers to exhibit. The three officers, with one of the royal secretaries, alone entered the house; their attendants were or- dered to remain outside. They saw I was deepiy affected, and apologized for what they were about to do, by saying, that it was painful for them to take possession of property not their own, but they were compelled thus to do by order of the King. ' Where is your silver, gold, and jewels?' said the royal treasurer. 'I have no gold or jewels; but here is the key of a trunk which contains the silver — do with it as you please.' The trunk was produced, and the silver weighed. ' This money,' said I, ' was collected in America, by the disciples of Christ, and sent here for the purpose of building a kyoung,(the name of a priest's dwelling) and for our support, while teaching the religion of Christ. Is it suitable that you should take it?' (The Burmans are averse to taking what is offered in a religious point of view, which was the cause of my making the inquiry.) * We will state this circumstance to the King,' said one of them, ' and perhaps he will restore it. But is this all the silver you have? ' I could not tell a falsehood: 'The house is in your possession,' I re- plied; 'search for yourselves.' 'Have you not de- posited silver with some person of your acquaint- ance?' ' My acquaintances are all in prison, with whom should I deposit silver? ' They next ordered my trunk and drawers to be examined. The secre- tary only was allowed to accompany me in this search. Everything nice or curious, which met his view, was presented to the officers, for their decision, whether it should be taken or retained. I begged they would not take our wearing apparel, as it would be disgraceful to take clothes partly worn, into the possession of his Majesty, and to us they were of unspeakable value. They assented, and MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 293 took a list only, and did the same with the hooks, medicines, &c» My little work table and rocking chair, presents from my beloved brother, I rescued from their grasp, partly by artifice, and partly through their ignorance. They left also manyarti cles, which were of inestimable value, during our long imprisonment. "As soon as they had finished their search and departed, I hastened to the Queen's brother, to hear what had been the fate of my petition; when, alas, all my hopes were dashed, by his wife's coolly say- ing, ' I stated your case to the Queen, but her Maj- esty replied. The teachers will not die; let them re- main as they are.' My expectations had been so much excited, that this sentence was like a thunder- clap to my feelings. For the truth at one glance assured me, that if the Queen refused assistance, who would dare to intercede for me ? With a heavy heart I departed, and on my way home, attempted to enter the prison gate, to communicate the sad tidings to your brother, but was harshly refused ad- mittance; and for the ten days following, notwith- standing my daily efforts, I was not allowed to enter. We attempted to communicate by writing, and after being successful for a few days, it was discovered; the poor fellow who carried the communications was beaten and put in the stocks; and the circumstance cost me about ten dollars, besides two or three days of agony, for fear of the consequences. " The officers w^ho had taken possession of our property, presented it to his Majesty, saying, ' Jud- Bon is a true teacher; we found nothing in his house, but what belongs to priests. In addition to this money, there are an immense number of books, medicines, trunks of wearing apparel, &c. of which we have only taken a list. Shall we take them, or let them remain.?' 'Let them remain,' said the King, « and put this property by itself, for it shall be restored to him again, if he is found innocent.* This was an allusion to the idea of his being a spy. 294 Ali!.MOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. " For two or three months following-, I was sub- ject to continual harassments, partly through my ignorance of police management, and partly through the insatiable desire of every petty officer to enrich himself through our misfortunes. When the officers came to our house, to confiscate our property, they insisted on knowing how much I had given the Gov- ernor and prison officers, to release the teachers from the inner prison. I honestly told them, and they demanded the sum from the Governor, which threAV him into a dreadful rage, and he threatened to put all the prisoners back into tlieir original place. 1 went to him the next morning, and the first words with Avhich he accosted me were, ' You are very bad; why did you tell the royal treasurer that you had given me so much money? ' ' The treasurer inquir- ed; what could I say.'" I repHed. ' Say that you had given nothing,' said he, ' and I would have made the teachers comfortable in prison; but now I know not what will be their fate.' 'But I cannot tell a falsehood,' I replied. ' My religion differs from yours — it forbids prevarication; and had you stood by me with your knife raised, I could not have said what you suggest.' His wife, who sat by his side, and who always, from this time, continued my firm friend, instantly said, ' Very true — what else could she have done? I like such straight forward con- duct; you must not (turning to the Governor) be angry with her.' I then presented the Governor with a beautiful opera glass, I had just received from England, and begged his anger at me would not influence him to treat the prisoners with unkind- ness, and I would endeavour, from time to time, to make him such presents, as Avould compensate for his loss. ' You may intercede for your husband only; for your sake, he shall remain where he is; but let the other prisoners take care of themselves.' [ pleaded hard for Dr. Price; but he would not listen, and the same day had him returned to the inner prison, where he remained ten days. He was then MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 2<)5 taken out in consequence of the Doctor's promising a piece of broad-cloth, and my sending two pieces of handkerchiefs. " About this period, I was one day summoned to the Loot-dau, in an official way. Wliat new evil, was before me, I knew not, but was obliged to go. When arrived, i was allowed to stand at the bottom of the stairs, as no female is permitted to ascend the steps, or even to stand, but sit on tJie ground. Hun- dreds were collected around. The officer who pre- sided, in an authoritative voice, began; ' Speak the truth, in answer to the questions I shall ask. If you speak true, no evil will follow; but if not, your life will not be spared- It is reported that you have committed to the care of a Burmese officer, a string of pearls, a pair of diamond ear-rings and a silver tea-pot. Is it true? ' ' It is not,' I replied; ' and if you or any other person can |)roduce these articles, f refuse not to die.' The officer again urged the necessity of ' speaking true.' I told him I had noth- ing more to say on the subject, but begged he would use his iniiuence to obtain the release of Mr. Judson from prison. " I returned to the house, with a heart much lighter than I went, though conscious of my per])et- iial exposure to such harassments. Notwithstand- ing the repulse I had met in my application to the Queen, I could not remain without making continu- al effort for your brother's release, while there was the least probability of success. Time after time my visits to the Queen's sister-in-law were rej)eat- ed, till she refused to answer a question, and told me by her looks, I had better keep out of her pres- ence. For the seven following months, hardly a day- passed, that I did not visit some one of the members of government, or branches of the royal family,*i'n order to gain their influence in our beJialf; but the only benefit resulting was, their encouraging promi- ses preserved us from despair, and induced a hope of the speedy termination of our difficulties, which en 2%- MEMOFR OF MRS, JUDSON, abled us to bear our di&tresses better tban we other- wise should have done. I ought, however, to men- tion, that by my repeated visits to the different members of government, I gained several friends, who were ready to assist me with articles of food, though in a private manner, and wlx> iised their in- fluence in the palace to destroy the impression oC our being in any way engaged in the present war. But no one dared to speak a word to the King of Queen in favor of a foreigner, while there were such continual reports of the success of the English arms. " During these seven months, the continual extor- tions and oppressions to which your brother, and the other Avhite prisoners were subject, are indescribable. Sometimes sums of money were demanded, some- times pieces- of cloth, and handkerchiefs; at other times, an order would be issued, that the white for- eigners should not speak to each other, or have any communication with their friends without. Then, again, the servants were forbidden to carry in theii food, without an extra fee. Sometimes, for days and days together,, I could not go into the prison till after dark, when I had two miles to walk, in return- ing to the house, O how many, many times, have I returned from that dreary prison at nine o'clock at night, solitary and viorn out with fatigue and anx- rety, and thrown myself down in that same rocking ehair which you and Deacon L. provided for me in Boston, and endeavoured to invent some new scheme for the release of the prisoners. Sometimes, for a moment or tAvo, my thoughts would glance toward America, and my beloved friends there — but for near- ly a year and a half^ so entirely engrossed was every thought with present scenes and sufferings, that I seldom reflected on a single occurrence of my former Me, or recollected that I liad a friend in existence oift of Ava. " You, my dear brother, who know my strong attachment to my friends, and how much pleasure t Lave hitherto experienced from retrospect, can judge MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 297 from the above circumstances, how intense were my sufferings. But the point, the acme of my distress, consisted in the awful uncertainty of our final fate. My prevailing opinion was, that my husband would suffer violent death; and that "l should, of course, become a slave, and languish out a miserable though short existence, in the tyrannic hands of some unfeeling monster. But the consola- tions of religion, in these trying circumstances, were neither 'few nor small.' It taught me to look beyond this world, to that rest, that peacelul happy rest, where Jesus reigns, and oppression never enters. But how have I digressed from my relation. I will again return. " The war was now prosecuted with all the energy the Burmese government possessed. New troops were continually raised and sent down the river, and as frequent reports returned of their being all cut off. But that part of the Burmese army stationed in Arracan, under the command of Bari- doola, had been more successful. Three hundred prisoners, at one time, were sent to the capital, as an evidence of the victory that had been gained. The King began to think that none but Bandoola understood the art of fighting with foreigners; consequently his Majesty recalled him with the design of his taking command of the army that had been sent to Rangoon. On his arrival at Ava, he was received at court in the most flattering manner, and was the recipient of every favor in the power of the King and Queen to bestow. He was, in fact, while at Ava, the acting King. I was resolved to apply to him for the release of the Missionaries, though some members of government advised me not, lest he, being reminded of their existence, should issue an immediate order for their execution. But it was my last hope, and, as it proved, my last application. " Your brother wrote a petition privately, stating every circumstance that would have a tendency to S98 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSOW. interest him in our behalf. With fear and trembling I approached him, while surrounded by a crowd of flatterers; and one of his secretaries took the peti- tion, and read it aloud. After hearing it, he spake to me in an oblio^ing manner — asked several ques- tions relative to the teachers — said he would think of the subject — and bade me come again. I ran to the prison to communicate the favorable reception to Mr. Judson; and we both had sanguine hopes that his release was at hand. But the Governor of the city expressed his amazement at my temerity, and said he doubted not it would be the means of destroying all the prisoners. In a day or two, however, I went again, and took a present of considerable value. Bandoola was not at home; but his lady, after ordering the present to be taken into another room, modestly informed me that she was ordered by her husband to make the following communication — that he was now very busily employed in making preparations for Rangoon; but that when he had retaken that place and expelled the English, he would return and release all the prisoners. " Thus again were all our hopes dashed; and we felt that we could do nothing more, but sit down and submit to our lot. From this time we gave up all idea of being released from prison, till the termi- nation of the war; but I was still obliged to visit constantly some of the members of government, with Httle presents, particularly the Governor of the city, for the purpose of making the situation of the prisoners tolerable. I generally spent the greater part of every other day at the Governor's house, giving him all the information relative to American manners, customs, government, &c. He used to be so much gratified with my communications, as to feel greatly disappointed, if any occurrence prevent- ed my spending the usual hours at his house. " Some months after your brother's imprisonment, I was permitted to make a little bamboo room in MEMOIR OF MUS. JUDSON. 299 tlie prison enclosures, where he could be much by himself, and where I waM sometimes allowed to spend two or three hours. It so happened that the two months he occupied this place, was the coldest part of the year, Avhen he would have suffered much in the open shed he had previously occupied. After the birth of your little niece, I was unable to visit the prison and the Governor as before, and found I had lost considerable influence, previously gained; for he was not so forv^ard to hear my petitions when any difficulty occurred, as he formerly had been. When Maria was nearly two months old, her father one morning sent me word that he and all the white prisoners were put into the inner prison, in five pairs of fetters each, that his little room had been torn down, and his mat, pillow, &c. been taken by the jailers. This was to me a dreadful shock, as I thought at once it was only a prelude to greater evils. " I should have mentioned before this, the defeat of Bandoola, his escape to Danooyboo, the complete destruction of his army and loss of ammunition, and the consternation this intelligence produced at court. The English army had left Rangoon, and were advancing towards Prome, Avhen these severe measures were taken with the ])risoners. " I went immediately to the Governor's house. He was not at home, but had ordered his wiffe to tell me, when I came, not to ask to have the addi- tional fetters taken off, or the prisoners released, for it could not be done. I went to the prison-gate, but was forbid to enter. All was as still as death— not a white face to be seen, or a vestige of Mr. J.'s little room remaining. I was determined to sec the Governor, and know the cause of this additional oppression; and for this purpose returned into town the same evening, at an hour I knew he would be at home. He was in his audience room, and, as I enter- ed, looked up without speaking, but exhibited a mixture of shame and affected anger in his count©- SOO MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. nance. I began by saying, Your Lordship has Irith- €T to treated us with the kindness of a father. Our obhgations to you are very great. We have looited to you for protection from oppression and cruelty. You have in many instances mitigated the sufferings of those unfortunate, though innocent beings, com- mitted to your charge. You have promised me par- ticularly, that you would stand by me to the last, and though you should receive an order from the King, vou would not put Mr. J. to death. What crime has ne committed to deserve such additional pimishment.^ The old man's hard heart was melted, for he wept like a child. ' I pity you, Tsa-yar-ga-dau, (a name by which he always called me) I knew you would make me feel; I therefore forbade your application. But you must believe me when I say, I do not wish to increase the sufferings of the prisoners. When I am ordered to execute them, the least that I can do is, to put them out of sight, I Avill now tell you (continued he) what I have never told you be- fore, that three times I have received intimations from the Queen's brother, to assassinate all the white prisoners privately; but I would not do it. And I now repeat it, though I execute all the others, I will never execute your husband. But I cannot release him from his present confinement, and you must not ask it.' I had never seen him manifest so much feeling, or so resolute in denying me a favor, which circumstance was an additional reason for thinking dreadful scenes were before us, " The situation of the prisoners was now dis- tressing beyond description. It was at the com- mencement of the hot season. There were above a hundred prisoners shut up in one room, without a breath of air excepting from the cracks in the boards. T sometimes obtained permission to go to the door for five minutes, when my heart sickened at the wretchedness exhibited. The white prisoners, from incessant perspiration and loss of appetite, looked more Uke the dead than the living. I made MEMOIR OP MRS. JUDSON. 301 daily applications to the Governor, offering him money, which he refused; but all that I gained, was permission for the foreigners to eat their food out- side, and this continued but a short time. " It was at this period, that the death of Bandooia was announced in the palace. The King heard it with silent amazement, and the Queen, in eastern style, smote upon her breast, and cried, ama! ama! (alas, alas.) Who could be found to fill his place? who would venture since the invincible Bandooia had been cut off? Such were the exclamations constantly heard in the streets of Ava. The com- mon people were speaking low of a rebellion, in case more troops should be levied. For as yet the com- mon people had borne the weight of the war; not a tickal had been taken from the royal treasury. At length the Pakan Woon, who a few months before had been so far disgraced by the King as to be thrown into prison and irons, now offered himself to head a new army that should be raised on a dif- ferent plan from those which had hitherto been raised; and assured the King in the most confident manner, that he would conquer the English, and restore those places that had been taken, in a very short time. He proposed that every soldier should receive a hundred tickals in advance, and he Avould obtain security for each man, as the money was to pass through his hands. It was afterT\-ards found that he had taken, for his own use, ten tickals from every hundred. He was a man of enterprise and talents, though a violent enemy to all foreigners. His offers were accepted by the King and govern- ment, and all power immediately committed to him. One of the first exercises of his power was, to ar- rest Lansago and the Portuguese priest, who had hitherto remained unmolested, and cast them into Srison, and to subject the native Portuguese and Bengalees to the most menial occupations. The whole town was in alarm, lest they should feel the effects of his power; and it was owing to the 26 SOS MEMOIR OP MRS. JUDSON. malignant representations of this man, that the white prisoners suffered such a change in their cir- cumstances, as I shall soon relate. «' After continuing in the inner prison for more than a month, your brother was taken with a fever. I felt assured he would not live long, unless removed from that noisome place. To effect this, and in or- der to be near the prison, I removed from our house and put up a small bamboo room in the Governor's enclosure, which was nearly opposite the prison gate. Here I incessantly begged the Governor to give me an order to take Mr. J. out of the large prison, and place him in a more comfortable situation; and the old man, being worn out with my entreaties, at length gave me the order in an official form; and al- so gave orders to the head jailer, to allow me to go in and out, all times of the day, to administer medi- cines, &c. I now felt happy indeed, and had Mr. J. instantly removed into a little bamboo hovel, so low, that neither of us could stand upright — but a palace in comparison with the place he had left " CHAPTER XVII. Narrative continued — Removal of the Prisoners to Oung-pen-la— Mrs. Judsori follows tliem. " Notwithstanding the order the Governor had given for my admittance into prison, it was with the greatest difficulty that I could persuade the under jailer to open the gate. I used to carry Mr. J.'s food myself, for the sake of getting in, and would then remain an hour or two, unless driven out. We had been in this comfortable situation but two or three days, when one morning, having carried in Mr. Judson's breakfast, which in consequence of fever he was unable to take, I remained longer than usual, when the Governor in great haste sent for MEMOIR OP MRS. JUDSON. 303 me. I promised him to return as soon as I had as- certained the Governor's will, he being much alarm- ed at this unusual message. I was very agreeably disappointed, when the Governor informed me, that he only wished to consult me about his watch, and seemed unusually pleasant and conversable. I found afterwards, that his only object was, to detain me until the dreadful scene, about to take place in the prison, was over. For when I left him to go to my room, one of the servants came running, and with a ghastly countenance, informed me, that all the white prisoners were carried away. I would not believe the report, and instantly went back to the Governor, who said, he had just heard of it, but did not wish to tell me. I hastily ran into the street, hoping to get a glimpse of them before they were out of sight, but in this was disappointed. I ran first into one street, then another, inquiring of all I met, but no one would answer me. At length an old woman told me the white prisoners had gone towards the little river; for they were to be carried to Amarapo- ra. I then ran to the banks of the little river, about half a mile, but saw them not, and concluded the old woman had deceived me. Some of the friends of the foreigners went to the place of execution, but found them not. I then returned to the Governor, to try to discover the cause of their removal, and the probability of their future fate. The old man assured me that he was ignorant of the intention of government to remove the foreigners till that morn- ing. That since I went out, he had learned that the prisoners were to be sent to Amarapora; but for what purpose, he knew not. ' I will send off a man immediately,' said he, ' to see what is to be done with them. You can do nothing more for your husband,' continued he, ' take care of yourself .^ With a heavy heart I went to my room, and having no hope to excite me to exertion, I sunk down almost in despair. For several days previous, I had been actively en- gaged in building my own little room, and making S04 MEMOIR OP MRS. JUDSON* our hovel comfortable. My tlioug-hts had been al- most entirely occupied in contriving means to get into prison. But now I looked towards the gate with a kind of melancholy feeling, but no wish to enter. All was the stillness of death, no preparation of your brother's food, no expectation of meeting him at the usual dinner hour, all my employment, all my occupations seemed to have ceased, and I had nothing left but the dreadful recollection that Mr. Judson was carried off, I knew not whither. It waa one of the most insupportable days I ever passed. Towards night, however, I came to the determina- tion to set off the next morning for Amarapora; and for this purpose was obliged to go to our house out ol' town. " Never before had I suffered so much from fear m traversing the streets of Ava. The last words of the Governor, ' Take care of yourself,' made me suspect there was some design with which I was un- acquainted. I saw, also, he was afraid to have me go into the streets, and advised me to wait till dark, w^hen he would send me in a cart, and a man to open the gates. I took two or three trunks of the most valuable articles, together with the medicine chest, to deposit in the house of the Governor; and after committing the house and premises to our faithful Moung Ing and a Bengalee servant, who continued with us, (though we were unable to pay his wages,) I took leave, as I then thought probable, of our house in Ava forever. "On my return to the Governor's, I found a ser- vant of Mr. Gouger, who happened to be near the prison when the foreigners were led out, and followed on to see the end, who informed me, that the prison- ers had been carried before the Lamine Woon, at Amarapora, and were to be sent the next day to a Village he knew not how far distant. My distress was a little relieved by the intelligence that our friend was yet alive, but still I knew not what was to become of him. The next morning I obtained a MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 305 pass from government, and witli my little Maria, who was then only three mouths old, Mary and Ahhy Hasseltine, (two of the Barman children,) and our Bengalee cook, who was the only one of the party that could afford me any assistance, Isetoff for Am- arapora. The day was dreadluUy hot; but we ob- tained a covered boat, in which we were tolerably comfortable, till within twomilesof the government house. I tlien procured a cart; but the violent mo- tion, together with the dreailful heat and dust, made me almost distracted. But what was my disap- pointment on my arriving at the court house, to find that the prisoners had been sent on two liours be- Ibre, and that I must go in that uncomlbrtablc mode four miles further with little Maria in my arms, whom I held all the way from Ava. The cart man refused to go any further; and after waiting an hour in the burning sun, I procured another, and set off for that never to be forgotten place, Oung-pen-la. I obtained a guide from the Governor, and was con- ducted directly to the prison-yard. But what a scene of wretchedness was presented to my view ! The prison was an old shattered building, without a roof; the fence was entirely destroyed; eight or ten Bur- mese were on the top of the building, trying to make something like a shelter with leaves; while under a little low projection outside of the prison sat the fo- reigners, chained together two and two, almost dead with suffering and fatigue. The first words of your brother were, ' Why have you come.'' I hoped you would not follow, for you cannot live here.' It \yas now dark. I had no refreshment for the suffering prisoners, or for myself, as I had expected to pro- cure all that was necessary at the market of Ama- rapora, and I had no shelter for the night. I asked one of the jailers if I might put up a little bamboo house near the prison; he said no, it was not cus- tomary. I then begged he would procure me a shelter for the night, when on the morrow I could find some place to live in. He took me to his house, 26* 306 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. in which there were only two small rooms — one in which he and his family lived — the other, which was then half full of grain, he offered to me; and in that little filthy place, I spent the next six months of wretchedness. I procured some half boiled water, instead of my tea, and, worn out with fatigue, laid myself doAvn on a mat spread over the paddy, and endeavoured to obtain a little refreshment from sleep. The next morning your brother gave me the follow- ing account of the brutal treatment he had received on being taken out of prison: " As soon as I had gone out at the call of the Governor, one of the jailers rushed into Mr. J.'s little room — roughly seized him by the arm — ^pulled him out — stripped him of all his clothes, excepting shirt and pantaloons — took his shoes, hat, and all his bedding — tore oft' his chains — tied a rope round his waist, and dragged him to the court house, where the other prisoners had previously been taken. They were then tied two and two, and delivered into the hands of the Lamine Woon, who went on before them on horseback, while his slaves drove the prisoners, one of the slaves holding the rope which connected two of them together. It was in May, one of the hottest months in the year, and eleven o'clock in the day, so that the sun was intol- erable indeed. They had proceeded only half a mile, when your brother's feet became blistered, and so great was his agony, even at this early period, that as they were crossing the little river, he ardent- ly longed to throw himself into the water to be free from misery. But the sin attached to such an act alone prevented. They had then eight miles to walk. The sand and gravel were like burning coals to the feet of the prisoners, which soon became perfectly destitute of skin; and in this wretched state, they were goaded on by their unfeeling drivers. Mr. J.'s debilitated state, in consequence of fever, and having taken no food that morning, rendered him less capable of bearing such hardships MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. S07 than the other prisoners. When about half way on their journey, as they stopped for water, your brother begged the Lamine Woon to allow hiin to ride his horse a mile or two, as he could proceed no farther in that dreadful state. But a scornful, malignant look, was all the reply that was made. He then requested Captain Laird, who was tied with him, and who was a strong, healthy man, to allow him to take hold of his shoulder, as he was fast sinking. This the kind-hearted man granted for a mile or two, but then found the additional burden insupportable. Just at that period, Mr. Gouger's Bengalee servant came up to them, and seeing the distresses of your brother, took olf his head dress, which was made of cloth, tore it in two, gave half to his master, and half to Mr. Judson, which he instantly wrapped round his woundetl feet, as they were not allowed to rest even for a moment. The serv^ant then offered his shoulder to Mr. Judson, and was almost carried by him the remainder of the way. Had it not been for the support and assistance of this man, your brother thinks he should have shared the fate of the poor Greek, who was one of their number, and when taken out of prison that morning was in perfect health. But he was a corpulent man, and the sun affected him so much that he fell down on the way His inhuman drivers beat and dragged him until they themselves were wearied, when they procured a cart, in which he was carried the remaining two miles. But the poor creature expired, in an hour or two after their arrival at the court house. The Lamine Woon seeing the distressing state of the prisoners, and that one of their numl3er was dead, concluded they should go no further that night, otherwise they would have been driven on until they reached Oung-pen-la the same day. An old shed was appointed for their abode during the night, but without even a mat or pillow, or anything to cover them. The curiosity of the Lamine Woon's wife. 308 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. induced her to make a visit to the prisoners, whose wretchedness considerably excited her compassion, and she ordered some fruit, sugar, and tamarinds, for their refreshment; and the next morning rice was prepared for them, and as poor as it was, it was refreshing to the prisoners, who had been almost destitute of food the day before. Carts were also provided for their conveyance, as none of them were able to walk. All this time the foreigners were entirely ignorant of what was to become of them; and when they arrived at Oung-pen-la, and saw the dilapidated state of the prison, they imme- diately, all as one, concluded that they were there to be burnt, agreeably to the report which had pre- viously been in circulation at Ava. They all endeavoured to prepare themselves for the awful scene anticipated; and it was not until they saw preparations making for repairing the prison, that they had the least doubt that a cruel lingering death awaited them. My arrival was in an hour or two after this. " The next morning I arose and endeavoured to find something like food. But there was no market, and nothing to be procured. One of Dr. Price's friends, however, brought some cold rice and vege- table curry, from Amarapora, which, together with a cup of tea from Mr. Lansago, answered for the breakfast of the prisoners; and for dinner, we made a curry of dried salt fish, which a servant of Mr. Gouger had brought. All the money I could com- mand in the world, I had brought with me, secreted about my person; so you may judge what our pros- pects were, in case the war should continue long. But our Heavenly Father was better to us than our fears; for notwithstanding the constant extortions of the jailers, during the whole six months we were at Oung-pen-la, and the frequent straits to which we were brought, we never really suffered for the want of money, though frequently for want of pro- visions, which were not procurable. Here at this MEMOIR OP MRS. JUDSON. S09 place my personal bodily sufferings commenced. While your brother was confined in the city prison, I had been allowed to remain in our house, in which I had many conveniences left, and my health had continued good beyond all expectations. But now I had not a single article of convenience — not even a chair or seat of any kind, excepting a bamboo floor. The very morning after my arrival, Mary Hasseltine was taken with the small pox, the natu- ral way. She, though very young, was the only assistant I had in taking care of little Maria. But she now required all the time I could spare from Mr. Judson, whose fever still continued in prison, and whose feet were so dreadfully mangled, that for several days he was unable to move. I knew not what to do, for I could procure no assistance from the neighbourhood, or medicine for the suffer- ers, but was all day long going backwards and forwards from the house to the prison with little Maria in my arms. Sometimes I was greatly relieved by leaving her, for an hour, when asleep, by the side of her father, while I returned to the house to look after Mary, whose fever ran so high as to produce delirium. She was so completely covered with the small pox, that there was no distinction in the pustules. As she was in the same little room with myself, I knew Maria would take it; I therefore inoculated her from another child, before Mary's had arrived at such a state as to be infectious. At the same time, I inoculated Abby, and the jailer's children, who all had it so lightly as hardly to interrupt their play. But the inoculation in the arm of my poor little Maria did not take — she caught it of Mary, and had it the natural way. She was then only three months and a half old, and had been a most healthy child ; but it was above three months before she perfectly recov- ered from the effects of this dreadful disorder. " You will recollect I never had the small pox, but was vaccinated previously to leaving America. In 810 MEMOIR OF MRS JUDSON. consequence of being for SO long a time constantly exposed, I had nearly a hundred pustules formed, though no previous symptoms of fever, &c. The jailer's children having had the small pox so lightly, in consequence of inoculation, my fame was spread all over the village, and every child, young and old, who had not previously had it, was brought for in- oculation. And although I knew nothing about the disorder, or the mode of treating it, I inoculated them all with a needle, and told them to take care of their diet, — all the instructions I could give them. Mr. Judson's health was gradually restored, and he found himself much more comfortably situated, than when in the city prison. *' The prisoners were at first chained two and two; but as soon as the jailers could obtain chains suf- ficient, they were separated, and each prisoner had but one pair. The prison was repaired, a new fence made, and a large airy shed erected in front of the prison, where the prisoners were allowed to remain during the day, though locked up in the little close prison at night. All the children recovered from the small pox; but my watchings and fatigue, together with my miserable food, and more miserable lodg- ings, brought on one of the diseases of the country, which is almost always fatal to foreigners. My constitution seemed destroyed, and in a few days I became so weak as to be hardly able to walk to Mr. Judson's prison. In this debilitated state, I set off in a cart for Ava, to procure medicines, and some suitable food, leaving the cook to supply my place. I reached the house in safety, and for two or three days the disorder seemed at a stand; after which it attacked me so violently, that I had no hopes of re- covery left — and my only anxiety now was, to return to Oung-pen-la to die near the prison. It was with the greatest difficulty that I obtained the medicine chest from the Governor, and then had no one to administer medicine. I however got at the lauda- num, and by taking two drops at a time for severaV MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 311 hours, it so far checked the disorder, as to enable me to get on board a boat, thoutjh so weak that 1 could not stand, and again set off for Oung-pen-la. The last four miles was in that painful conveyance, the cart, and in the midst of the rainy season, when the mud almost buries the oxen. You may form some idea of a Burmese cart, when I tell you their wheels are not constructed like ours, but are simply round thick planks with a hole in the middle, through Avhich a pole that supj)orts the body is thrust. "I just reached Oung pen-la when my strength seemed entirely exhausted. The good native cook came out to help me into the house; but so altered and emaciated was my appearance, that the poor fellow burst into tears at the first sight. I crawled on to the mat in the little room, to which I was con- fined for more than two months, and never perfectly recovered, until I came to the English camp. At this period, when I was unable to take care of my- self, or look after Mr. Judson, we must both have died, had it not been for the faithful and affectionate care of our Bengalee cook. A common Bengalee cook will do nothing but the simple business of cooking: But he seemed to forget his cast, and al- most his own wants, in his efforts to serve us. He would provide, cook, and carry your brother's food, and then return and take care of me. I have frequently known him not to taste of food till near night, in consequence of having to go so far for wood and water, and in order to have Mr. Judson's dinner ready at the usual hour. He never com- plained, never asked for his wages, and never for a moment hesitated to go anywhere, or to perform any act we required. I take great pleasure in speak- ing of the faithful conduct of this servant, who is still Avith us, and I trust has been well rewarded for his services. " Our dear little Maria was the greatest sufferer at this time, my illness depriving her of her usual nourishment, and neither a nurse nor a drop of milk did MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. could be procured in the villagfe. By making pres- ents to the jailers, I obtained leave for Mr. Judson to come out of prison, and take the emaciated crea- ture around the villag^e, to beg a little nourishment I'rom those mothers who had young" children. Her cries in the night were heart-rending, when it was impossible to supply her wants. I now began to think the very afflictions of Job had come upon me. When in heakh, I could bear the various trials and vicissitudes through which I was called to pass. But to be confined with sickness, and unable to assist those who were so dear to me, when in distress, was almost too much for me to bear; and had it not been for the consolations of religion, and an assured conviction that every additional trial was ordered by infinite love and mercy, I must have sunk under my accumulated sufferings. Sometimes our jailers seem- ed a little softened at our distress, and for several days together allowed Mr. Judson to come to the house, which was to me an unspeakable consolation. Then again they would be as iron-hearted in their demands, as though we were free from sufferings, and in affluent circumstances. The annoyance, the extortions, and oppressions, to which we were sub- ject, during our six months' residence in Oung-pen- la, are beyond enumeration or description. " It was sometime after our arrival at Oung-pen- la, that we heard of the execution of the Pakan Woon, in consequence of which our lives were still preserved. For we afterwards ascertained, that the white foreigners had been sent to Oung-pen-la, for the express purpose of sacrificing them; and that he himself intended witnessing the horrid scene. We had frequently heard of his intended arrival at Oung-pen-la; but we had no idea of his diabolical purposes. He had raised an army of fifty thousand men, (a tenth part of whose advance pay was found in nis house,) and expected to march against the English army in a short time, when he was suspected of high treason, and instantly executed without the least ex- MEMOIR OF MRS JUDSON. 313 amination. Perhaps no death in Ava ever prodm^ed such universal rejoicings, as that of ihe Pakan Woon. We never, to this day, hear his name mentioned, but with an epithet of reproach or hatred. Ano til- er brother of the King- was appointea to the com- mand of the army now in readiness, but witli no very sanguine expectations of success. Some weeks after the departure of these troops, two of the Woon- gyees were sent down for the purpose of negotiating. But not being successful, the Queen's brother, the acting King of the country, was prevailed on to go. Great expectations were raised in consequence; but his cowardice induced him to encamp his detachment of the army at a great distance from the English, and even at a distance from the main body of the Burmese army, whose head-quarters were then at Maloun. Thus he efiected notliing, though reports were continually reaching us, that peace was nearly concluded. "The time at length arrived for our release from the dreary scenes of Oung-pcn-la. A messenger from our friend, the Governor of the north gate of the palace, informed us ihat an order had been given, the evening before, in the ])alace, lor INIr. Judson'3 release. On the same evening an olTlcial order ar- rived; and with a joyful heart I set about preparing for our departure early the following morning. But an unexpected obstacle occurred, which made us fear that /should still be retained as a prisoner. The avaricious jailers, unwilling to lose their prey, insisted, that as my name was not included in the order, I should not go. In vain I urged that I was not sent there as a prisoner, and that they had no authority over me — they still determined I should not go, and forbade the villagers from letting me a cart. Mr. Judson was then taken out of prison, and brought to the jailers' house, where, by prom- ises and threatenings, he finally gained their consent, on condition that we would leave the remaining part 27 S14 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. of our provisions we had recently received from Ava, It was noon before we were allowed to depart. When we reached Amarapora, Mr. Judson was obliged to follow the g-uidance of the jailer, who con- ducted him to the Governor of the city. Having made all necessary inquiries, the Governor appoint- ed another guard, which conveyed Mr. Judson to the court-house in Ava, to which place he arrived sometime in the night. I took my own course, pro- cured a boat; and reached our house before dark. " My first object the next morning, was to go in search of your brother, and I had the mortification to meet him again in prison, though not the death prison. I went immediately to my old friend, the Governor of the city, who now was raised to the rank of a Woongyee. He informed me that Mr. Judson was to be sent to the Burmese camp, to act as translator and interpreter; and that he was put in confinement for a short time only, till his affairs were settled. Early the following morning I went to this officer again, who told me that Mr. Judson had that moment received twenty tickals from govern- ment, with orders to go immediately on board a boat for Maloun, and that he had given him permission to stop a few moments at the house, it being on his way. I hastened back to the house, where Mr. Jud- son soon arrived; but was allowed to remain only a sliort time, while I could prepare food and clothing for future use. He was crowded into a little boat, where lie had not room sufficient to he down, and where his exposure to the cold damp nights threw him into a violent fever, which had nearly ended all his sufferings. He arrived at Maloun on the third day, where, ill as he was, he was obliged to enter immediately on the work of translating. He remain- ed at Maloun six weeks, sufiering as much as he had at any time in prison, excepting he was not in irons, nor exposed to the insults of those cruel jailers. " For the first fortnight after his departure, my anxiety was less than it had been at any time pre- MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 315 vious, Since the commencement of our difficulties. I knew the Burmese officers at the camp would led the value of Mr. Judson's services too much to al- loAV their using any measures threatening liis life. I thought his situation, also, would be much more comfortable than it really was — hence my anxiety was less. But my health, which had never been re- stored, since that violent attack at Oung-pen-la, now daily declined, till I was seized with the spotted fever, with all its attendant horrors. I knew the nature of the fever from its commencement; and from the shattered state of my constitution, together with the want of medical attendants, I concluded it must be fatal. The day I was taken with the fever, a Burmese nurse came and oftered her services far Maria. This circumstance filled me with gratitud" and confidence in God; for though I had so long and so constantly made efforts to obtain a person of this description, I had never been able; when a* the very time I most needed one, and without any exertion, a voluntary offer was made. My fever raged violently, and without any intermission. I began to think of setthng my worldly affairs, and of committing my dear little Maria to the care of a Portuguese woman, when I lost my reason, and was insensible to all around me. At this dreadful period. Dr. Price was released from prison; and hearing of my illness, obtained permission to come and see me. He has since told me that my situation was the most distressing he had ever witnessed, and that he did not then think I should survive many hours. My hair was shaved, my head and feet covered with blis- ters, and Dr. Price ordered the Bengalee servant who took care of me, to endeavour to persuade me to take a little nourishment, which I had obstinately refused for several days. One of the first things I recollect was, seeing this faithful servant standing by me, trying to induce me to take a little wine and water. I was in fact so far gone, that the Burmese neighbours who had come in to see me expire, said, S16 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. *She is dead; and if the King of angels should come in, he could not recover her.' "The fever, I afterwards understood, had run seventeen days when the blisters were applied. I now began to recover slowly; but it was more than a month after this before I had strength to stand. While in this weak, debilitated state, the servant who had followed your brother to the Burmese camp, came in, and informed me that his master had arriv- ed, and was conducted to the court-house in town. I sent off a Burman to watch the movements of government, and to ascertain, if possible, in what way Mr. Judson was to be disposed of. He soon returned with the sad intelhgence, that he saw Mr. Judson go out of the palace yard, accompanied by two or three Burmans, who conducted him to one of the prisons; and that it was reported in town, that he was to be sent back to the Oung-pen-la prison. I was too weak to bear ill tidings of any kind; but a shock so dreadful as this, almost annihilated me. For some time, I could hardly breathe; but at last gained sufficient composure to despatch Moung Ing to our friend, the Governor of the north gate, and begged him to make one more effort for the release of Mr. Judson, and prevent his being sent back to the country prison, where I knew he must suffer much, as I could not follow. Moung Ing then went in search of Mr. Judson; and it was nearly dark, when he found him in the interior of an obscure Erison. I had sent food early in the afternoon, but eing unable to find him, the bearer had returned with itj which added another pang to my distresses, as I feared he was already sent to Oung-pen-la. " If I ever felt the value and efficacy of prayer, I did at this time. I could not rise from my couch; I could make no efforts to secure my husband; I could only plead with that great and powerful Being who has said, ' Call upon me in the day of trouble, and / will hear, and thou shalt glorily me;' and who made me at this time feel so powerfully this promise, MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON 317 thai I became quite composed, Iceling assured that my prayers would be answered. " When Mr. Judson was sent from JNIaloun to Ava, it was within five minutes' notice, and without his knowledj^e of the cause. On liis way u]) the river, he accidentally saw the conmiunication made to government respecting him, which was simply this: ' We liave no further use for Yoodathan, we "^there- fore return him to the golden city.' On arriving at the court-house, there happened' to be no one pres- ent who was acquainted with Mr. J. The presiding officer inquired from what place he had been sent to Maloun. He was answered from Oung-pen-la. Let him then, said the officer, be returned tluther — when he was delivered to a guard and conducted to the place above mentioned, thereto remain until he could be conv^eyed to Oung-pen-la. In the meantime tiie Governor of the north gate presented a petition to the high court of the Em])ire, olfered himself as Mr. Judson's security, obtained his release, and took him to his house, where he treated him with considera- ble kindness, and to which I was removed as soon as returning health would allow. " The advance of the English army towards the capital at this time threw the whole town into the greatest state of alarm, and convinced the gov- ernment that some speedy measures must be taken to save the golden city. They had hitherto rejected all the overtures of Sir Archihakl Campbell, imag- ining, until this late period, that they could in some way or other drive the English from the country. Mr. Judson and Dr. Price were daily called to the palace and consulted; in fact nothing was done without their approbation. Two English officers, also, who had lately been brought to Ava as prison- ers, were continually consulted, and their good offi- ces requested in endeavouring to persuade the Brit- ish General to make peace on easier terms. It was finally concluded that Mr. Judson and one of the officers above mentioned, should be sent immediately 318 MEMOIR OP MRS. JUDSON. to the English camp, in order to negotiate. The clanger attached to a situation so responsible, under a government so fickle as the Burmese, induced your brother to use every means possible to prevent his being sent. Dr. Price was not only willing, but de- sirous of going; this circumstance Mr. Judson rep- resented to the members of government, and begged he might not be compelled to go, as Dr. Price could transact the business equally as well as himself. After some hesitation and deliberation, Dr. Price was a])pointed to accompany Dr. Sandford, one of the English officers, on condition that Mr. Judson would stand security for his return; while the other English officer, then in irons, should be security for Dr. Sandford. The King gave them a hundred tickals each, to bear their expenses, (twenty-five of which Dr. Sandford generously sent to Mr. Gouger, still a prisoner at Oung-pen-la,) boats, men, and a Burmese officer, to accompany them, though he ventured no farther than the Burman camp. With the most anxious solicitude the court waited the ar- rival of the messengers, but did not in the least relax in their exertions to fortify the city. Men and beasts were at work night and day, making new stockades and strengthening old ones, and whatever buildings were in their way were immediately torn down. Our house, with ail that surrounded it, was levelled to the ground, and our beautiful little com- pound turned into a road and a place for the erection of cannon. All articles of value Avere conveyed out of town, and safely deposited in some other place. " At length the boat in which the ambassador^, had been sent was seen approaching a day earlier than was expected. As it advanced towards the city, the banks were lined by thousands, anxiously inquiring their success. But no answer was given — the gov- ernment must first hear the news. The palace gates were crowded, the officers at the Loot-dau were seated, when Dr. Price made the following commu- MEMOIK OF MRS. JUDSON. Sit) nlcation: 'The General and commissioDcrs will make no alteration in tlicir terms, except the hundred lacks (a lack is a hundred thousand) of rupees, may- be paid at Ibnr ditierent times. The lirst twentv- five lacks to he pnid within twelv^e days, or the army will continue their march.' In addition to this, the prisoners were to be given nj) immediately. The General had commissioned Dr. Price to demand Mr. Judson and myself and little Maria, This wa.s com- municated to the King-, who rephed, 'They arc not English, they are my people, and shall not go.' At this time I had no idea that we should ever be released iVom Ava. The government had learned the value of your brother's services, having employ- ed him the last three months; and we both ciMiclud- ed they would never consent to ourdej)arture. I'he foreigners were again called to a consultation, tos<^e what could be done. Dr. Price and Mr, Judson told them plainly that the English would never make peace on any other terms than those oirered,and that it was in vain to go down again without the money. It was then proposed that a third part of the first sum demanded should be sent down immediately. Mr. Judson objected, and still said it would be use- less. Sonie of the memhers of government then intimated that it ■was proljable the teachers were on the side of the English, and did not try to make them take a smaller sum; and als<.i threatened if they did not make the English comply, they and their families should suffer. " In this interval, the fears of the government were considerably allayed, by the offers of a Gene- ral, by name Layar-thoo-yah, wl:o desired to make one more attempt to conquer the English^ and dis- perse them. He assured the King and government, that he could so fortifv the ancient city of Pafjan, as to make it impregnaV>le; and that lie Avould there defeat and destrov the English. His oflers were heard, he marched'to Pagan with a very considerable force, and made strong the fortifications. But the 320 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. English took the city with perfect ease, and dis- persed the Burmese army; while the General fled to Ava, and had the presumption to appear in the pres- ence of the King, and demand new troops. The King- being- enraged that he had ever listened to him lor a moment, in consequence of which the negotia- tion had been delayed, the English General provoked, and the troops daily advancing, that he ordered the General to be immediately executed ! The poor fel- low Avas soon hurled from the palace, and beat all the way to tlie court-house — when he was stripped of his rich apparel, bound with cords, and made to kneel and bow towards the palace. He was then delivered into the hands of the executioners, who, by their cruel treatment, put an end to his existence, before they reached the place of execution. " The King caused it to be reported, that this General was executed, in consequence of disobeying his commands, ^nnt to fight the English.' " Dr. Price was sent off the same night, with part of the prisoners, and Avith instructions to persuade the General to take six lacks instead of twenty-five. He returned in two or three days with the appalling intelligence, that the English General was very an- gry, reiused to have any communication with him, and was now within a few days' march of the capi- tal. The Queen was greatly alarmed, and said the money should be raised immediately, if the English would only stop their march. The whole palace was in motion, gold and silver vessels were melted up, the King and Queen superintended the weighing of a part of it, and were determined if possible to save their city. The silver was ready in the boats by the next evening; but they had so little confi- dence in the English, that after all their alarm, they concluded to send down six lacks only, with the as- surance that if the English would stop where they then were, the remainder should be forth coming immediately. " The government now did not even ask Mr. Jud* MEMOIR OF MRS, JUDSON. 321 son the question whether he would go or not; hut some of the officers took him hy the arm, as he was walking in the street, and told him he must go im- mediately on hoard the boat, to accompany two Bur- mese officers, a Woongyee and Woondouk, who were going down to make peace. Most of the Eng- lish prisoners were sent at the same time. The General and commissioners would not receive the six lacks, neither would they stop their march; but promised, if the sum complete reached them before they should arrive at Ava, they would make peace. The General also commissioned Mr. Judson to col- lect the remaining foreigners, of whatever country, and ask the question before the Burmese govern- ment, whether they wished to go or stay. Those who expressed a wish to go should be delivered up immediately, or peace would not be made. "Mr. Judson reached Ava at midnight; had all the foreigners called the next morning, and the ques- tion asked. Some of the members of government said to him, ' You will not leave us — you shall be- come a great man if you will remain.' He then secured himself from the odium of saying that he wished to leave the service of his Majesty, by recur- ring to the order of Sir Archibald, that whoever wished to leave Ava should be given up, and that I had expressed a wish to go, so that he of course must follow. The remaining part of the twenty- five lacks was soon collected; the prisoners at Oung- pen-la were all released, and either sent to their houses, or down the river to the English; and in two days from the time of Mr. Judson's return, we took an affectionate leave of the good natured officer who had so long entertained us at his house, and who now accompanied us to the water side, and we then left forever the banks of Ava. " It was on a cool, moonlight evening, in the month of March, that with hearts filled with grati- tude to God, and overflowing with joy at our pros- pects, we passed down the Irrawaddy, surrounded 822 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. by six or eight g-olden boats, and accompanied by ail we had on earth. The thought that we had still to pass the Bnrman camp, would sometimes occur to damp our joy, for we leared that some ob- stacle might there arise to retard our progress. Nor were we mistaken in our conjectures. We reached the camp about midnight, where we were detained two hours; the Woongyee, and high officers, insist- ing that we should wait at the camp, while Dr. Price, (who did not return to Ava with your brother, but remained at the camp,) should go on with the money, and first ascertain whether peace would be made. The Burmese government still entertained the idea, that as soon as the English had received the money and prisoners, they would continue their march, and yet destroy the capital. We knew not but that some circumstance might occur to break ofl'the negotiations; Mr. Judson therefore strenu- ously insisted that he would not remain, but go on immediately. The officers were finally prevailed on to consent, hoping much from Mr. Judson's assis- tance in making peace. " We now, for the first time, for more than a year and a half, felt that we were free, and no longer subject to the oppressive yoke of the Burmese. And with what sensations of delight, on the next morning did I behold the masts of the steam-boat, the sure presage of being within the bounds of civi- lized life. As soon as our boat reached the shore, Brigadier A. and another officer came on board, con- gratulated us on our arrival, and invited us on board the steam-boat, where T passed the remainder of the day; while your brother went on to meet the Gene- ral, who, with a detachment of the army, had en- camped at Yandabo, a few miles further down the river. Mr. Judson returned in the evening, with an invitation from Sir Archibald, to come immediately to his quarters, where I was the next morning intro- duced, and received Avith the greatest kindness by the General, who had a tent pitched for us near his MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 323 own — took us to his own table, and treated us with the kindness of a father, rather tlian as strangers of another country. " We feel that our obligations to General Canij)- bell can never be cancelled. Our fmai release from Ava, and our recovering all the property that had there been taken, was owing entirely to his efli)rts. This subsequent hospitality, and kind attention to the accommodations for our passage to Rangoon, have left an indelible impression on our minds, Avhicli can never be forgotten. We daily received the congrat- ulation of the British officers, whose conduct towards us formed a striking contrast to that of the Burmese. I presume to say, that no persons on earth were ever happier than we were during the fortnight we passed at the English camp. For several days, this single idea wholly occupied my mind, that we were out of the power of the Burmese gtwernment, and once more under the protection of the English. Our feelings continually dictated expressions like these: IVTiat shall we render to the Lord for all his henejiis toward us. " The treaty of peace was soon concluded, signed by both parties, and a termination of hostilities pub- Iidy declared. We left Yandabo, after a fortnight's lesidence, and safely reached the mission house in Rangoon, al'ter an absence of two years and three months. " A review of our trip to, and adventures in Ava, often excites the inquiry, Why were we permitted to go.' What good has been effected.? Why did I not listen to the advice of friends in Bengal, and remain there till the war was concluded? But all that we can say, is. It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. So far as my going round to Ran- goon, at the time I did, was "instrumental in bring- ing those heavy afflictions upon us, I can only state, that if I ever acted from a sense of duty in my life, it wa? at that time; for my conscience would not allow iTiC any peace, when I thought of sending for 524 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSOF. your brother to come to Calcutta, in prospect of the approaching war. Our Society at home have lost no property in consequence of our ditFiculties; but two years oi' precious time have been lost to the mission, unless some future advantage may be gained, in consequence of the severe discipline to which we ourselves have been subject. We are sometimes induced to think, that the lesson we i'ound so very hard to learn, will have a beneficial effect through our lives; and that the mission may, in the end, be advanced rather than retarded. " We should have had no hesitation about re- maining in Ava, if no part of the Burmese empire had been ceded to the British. But as it was, we felt it Avould be anunnecessary exposure, besides the missionary field being much more limited, in conse- quence of intoleration. We now consider our fu- ture missionary prospects as bright indeed; and our only anxiety is, to be once more in that situation where our time will be exclusively devoted to the instruction of the heathen.^' In a concluding paragraph, dated Amherst, July 27, she adds: " From the date, at the commencement of this long letter, you see, my dear brother, that my pa- tience has continued for two months. I have fre- quently been induced to throw it aside altogether, but feehng assured that you and my other friends are expecting something of this kind, I am in- duced to send it with all its imperfections. This letter, dreadful as are the scenes herein described, g^ives you but a faint idea of the awful reality. The anguish, the agony of mind, resulting from a thou- sand little circumstances impossible to delineate on paper, can be knoAvn by those only, who have been in similar situations. Pray for us, my dear brother and sister, that these heavy afflictions ma}'- not be in vain, but may be blessed to our spiritual good, and the advancement of Christ's church among the heathen." MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 325 At the close of this lonjr and melancholy nai rative, we may appropriately introduce the folloAvirg trib- ute to the benevolence and talents of Mrs. Judson, written by oiie of the English prisoners, wlio wore confined at Ava with Mr. Judson. It was pub- lished in a Calcutta paper, after the conclusion of the war; " Mrs. Judson was the author of those elocjuenl and forcible appeals to the government, which })re- pared them by degrees for submission to terms of peace, never expected by any, who knew the hau- teur and inflexible pride of the Burman court. " And while on this subject, the overflowings of grateful feelings, on behalf of myself and fellow prisoners, compel me to add a tribute of public thanks to that amiable and humane female, who, though living at a distance of two miles from our prison, without any means of conveyance, and very feeble in health, forgot her own comfort and infir- mity, and almost every day visited us, sought out and administered to our wants, and contributed in every way to alleviate our misery. " While we were all left by the government des titute of food, she, with unwearied perseverance, by some means or other, obtained for us a constant supply. "When the tattered state of our clothes evinced the extremity of our distress, she was ever ready to replenish our scanty wardrobe. "When the unfeeling avarice of our keepers con- fined us inside, or made our feet fast in the stocks, she, like a ministering angel, never ceased her aj)- plications to the government, until she was author- ized to communicate to us the grateful news of our enlargement, or of a respite from our galling oppres- sions. " Besides all this, it was unquestionably owing, in a chief degree, to the repeated eloquence, and forcible appeals of Mrs. Judson, that the untutored 28 826 MEMOIR OP MRS. JUDSON. Burman was finally made willing to secure the wel- fare and happiness of his country, by a sincere peace." CHAPTER XVIII. Removal to Amherst — Mrs. Judson's Deatli. The following letter from Mrs, Judson is a valu- able proof, that the severe sufferings and appalling dangers which she had experienced, did not abate her love for the souls of the Burmans, nor diminish her desire to go onward with the Mission. She had devoted her lite to this service; and she was ready to die whenever the sacrifice should be needful for the welfare of the heathen. TO MRS. CHAPLIN, OF VVATERVILLE. " Rangoon, April 26, 1826. ** My dear Mrs. Chaplin, " I live, again to write you, again to attempt a continuance of a correspondence which has been to me so valuable, and which I wish to be continued till the end of Hfe. We have formerly talked of tri- als and privations, but for the last two years we hdive felt the full import of these words. Our bodily and mental sufferings haveoften been such as to cause me, in moments of despair, to exclaim, 'We shall one day perish by the hand of Saul.' But that kind Being, who has ever upheld us, has in safety brought us through so many narrow passages, that our faith assures us of being brought into a wide field at last. But, my dear Mrs. Chaplin, I am distressed to find, that those afflictions which are often productive of much advantage to the children of God, have passed away without, I fear, leaving those salutary effects, for which I had hoped. And yet I trust the pros- perity of the Burman mission, (still the dearest ob- MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 327 ject of our hearts,) will be promoted by those events, which have taken place the last two years. We have no longer to solicit the patronage of aliaughty Monarch, for the establishment of our mission, (jr to court the favor of the Woongyees, to prevent the persecution of the converts; but in future shall he allowed to sit under our own vine and fig-tree, and call to perishing, immortal beings, to listen to the glad tidings of the Gospel. " We are now busily employed in preparing for our departure to Amherst. We shall doubtless be obliged to go through many trials, as it is a new place, and no houses yet built. But the Burmese population will be considerable, and we shall have every advantage for prosecuting the mission. Four of our Christian families have already gone, and we shall follow in a few days. My female school will, I trust, soon be in operation — then you shall hear from me constantly." Alas ! her fond anticipations were soon disappoint- ed. The mission is indeed, we trust, to go on, until Burm^ah shall be converted to God. But she who had assisted in its establishment, who had largely shared in its trials and joys; and to whose firmness, intrepidity, ready presence of mind, and devoted affection, her husband and Dr. Price were indebted, under God, for the preservation of their lives, during their imprisonment at Ava, was soon to be summoned away from her toils and suflerings on earth, to the presence of her Saviour. LETTER FROM MR. JUDSON TO DR. BOLLES, THE COR- RESPONDIiNG SECRETARY. " Rangoon, March 25, 1826. •* Rev. and dear Sir, « Through the kind interposition of our Heavenly Father, our lives have been preserved, in the nioat imminent danger, from the hand of the executioner, and in repeated instances of most alarming illness, 328 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. during my protracted imprisonment of one year and seven months — nine months in three pair of fetters, two months in five, six months in one, and two months a prisoner at large. Subsequent to the latter period, I spent about six weeks in the house of the north Governor of the palace, who petitioned for my release, and took me under his charge; and finally, on the joyful 21st of February last, took leave, with Mrs. Judson and family, of the scene of our sufferings — sufferings which, it would seem, have been unavailing to answer any valuable mis- sionary purpose, unless so far as they may have been silently blessed to our spiritual improvement and capacity for future usefulness. Let me beg your prayers, that it may not be in vain, that we have been afflicted. Dr. Price remains in the ser- vice of his Burmese Majesty. My intention, on leaving Ava, was to proceed to Mergui or Tavoy, ports south of Rangoon, and ceded by the treaty to the British government; but since arriving, I have found it advisable to wait a httle, previous to the evacuation of this place by the British troops, with a view to settling at a new town about to be estab- lished in the neighbourhood of Martaban, on the dividing line between the British and Burman terri- tories. " It is supposed that all Martaban will remove to the new place, on the other side of the Salwen river. The emigration also from all the southern districts of Burmah will be great, so that the native popula- tion will far exceed that of the places first mentioned. Add to which, that it is much more centrical, and, from the superior productiveness of the adjacent country, and the facility of communication with Siam, will probably become a place of much great- er trade. i " The disciples and inquirers have been dispersed in all directions. Several are dead; several I found on my passage down the river, and gave them notice of my plans, in case they might wish to follow; and MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSOX. 329 several are m this place waitinjr for some movement. Moung Shwa-ba has been in the mission house through the whole, and Moung Ing with Mrs. Judson at Ava. Moung Shwa-gnong I have been unable to find, but understood he was alive some- where in the interior. We had a pleasant meeting with Mah Men-la and her sister Mah Doke, who were living in boats at Promc, and instantly resolved to accompany us. I long for the time when we shall be able to re-erect the standard of the Gospel, and enjoy once more the stated worship and ordinances of the Lord's house. I feel a strong desire henceforth to know nothing among this people, but Jesus Christ and him crucified; and under an abiding sense of the comparative worthlessness of all worldly things, to avoid every secular occupa- tion, and all literary and scientific pursuits, and devote the remainder of my liays to the simple dec- laration of the all-precious truth of the Gospel of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ." On the 1st of April, Mr. Judson left Rangoon, in company with Mr. Crawford, the Commissioner of the Governor General of India, on an exploring ex- pedition, to a part of the territories ceded by the JBurmese to the British. They proceeded to the mouth of the Salwen, or Martaban river, (see map,) where they fixed on the site of a town, on the east- ern bank, which they called Amherst, in honor of the Governor General. On this occasion, the 60th chapter of Isaiah was read by Mr. Judson, and a prayer offered. The British iiag was hoisted, and other ceremonies signalized the occupation of this spot, as the seat of the English government in the newly ceded territories. On the 9th of April, Mr. Judson returned to Rangoon, and made immediate preparations to pro- ceed to Amherst. 28* *SSO MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. LETTER FROM MR. JUDSON TO THE CORRESPONDING SECRETARY. « Rangoon, July 31, 1826. "Rev. and dear Sir, " At the date of my last letter, I was waiting' for an opportunity of removing to Amherst. Since then, the Commissioner, Mr. Crawford, who is appointed to negotiate a secondary treaty with the court of Av^a, renewed his proposal for me to accompany the em- bassy, and pledged himself, in case of my complying, to use his interest to procure the insertion of an ar- ticle in the treaty, favorable to religious toleration — an object which I have had at heart so many years, and which, though now on account of the opening in the south provinces, not so necessary as formerly, yet greatly favorable to the gradual introduction of religion, into all parts of the country, from the sta- tion which we propose occupying. With these views, I thought it my duty to accept the offer. Desirous, however, of making a commencement in the new place, as early as possible, and unwilling to disappoint the native converts, who had left this, in the full expectation of our immediately following them, I accompanied Mrs. Judson and family thither, in the end of last month, and after seeing them com- fortably settled, in a temporary house belonging to Captain Fen wick. Civil Superintendant of the place, which he kindly vacated for Mrs. Judson's accommo- dation, I returned to Rangoon the 9th inst. The embassy will leave this for Ava, on the receipt of final orders from Bengal, which are daily expected." It was during the absence of Mr. Judson, that Mrs. Judson was seized with the fatal disorder, which terminatetf her life, on the 24th of October, 1 826. The shocks which her constitution had re- ceived, from previous attacks of disease, and during the scenes at Ava, rendered her incapable of with MEMOIR OP MRS. JUDSON. SSl Standing the violence of this last attack. She (lied — died in a strange place — and surrounded by stran- gers. Such was God's will. It would he consolini^r to know more of the state of her mind, during her sickness, and of her feelings in prosfject of death. But she is gone. Her life was a series of proof:^, that she loved the Saviour; and we may belii-ve, with entire confidence, that she has entered into the joy of her Lord. The following letters from her husband contain a statement of all the i)articiilars which could be ob- tained concerning her last sickness and death. His feehngs it would be presumptuous to attempt to de- scribe. His letters, though he has not sull'ered him- self to dwell on his dreadful loss, indicate so much of suppressed anguish, that every heart must be moved to sympathy. In a letter to the Corresponding Secretary, dated Ava, Dec. 7, 1826, Mr. Judson, after stating that he had been unsuccessful in obtaining a provision in the treaty for reUgious toleration, and that his ab- sence from home would be extended to seven or eight months, adds: ''But above all, the news of the death of my be- loved wife, has not only thrown a gloom over all my future prospects, but has forever imbittered the re- collection of the present journey, in consequence of which, I have been absent from her dying bed, and prevented from affording the spiritual conilbrt which her lonely circumstances peculiarly required, and of contributing to avert the fatal catastrophe, which has deprived me of one of the first of women, the best of wives. " I commend myself and motherless child to your sympathy and prayers." 882 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. LETTER FROM MR. JUDSON TO MRS. HASSELTINE, OP BRADFORD, (MASS.) " Ava, Dec. 7, 1826. " Dear Mother, " This letter, though intended for the whole fami ly, I address particularly to you; for it is a mother's heart that will he most deeply interested in its mel- ancholy details. I propose to give you, at different times, some account cf my great irreparable loss, of which you will have heard, before receiving this letter. " I left your daughter, my beloved wife, at Amherst, the 5th of July last, in good health, com- fortably situated, happy in being out of the reach of our savage oppressors, and animated in prospect of a field of missionary labor opening under the auspices of British protection. It affords me some comlbrt, that she not only consented to my leaving her, for the purpose of joining the present embassy to Ava, but uniformly gave her advice in favor of the measure, whenever I hesitated concerning my duty. Accordingly, I left her. On the fifth of July, I saw her for the last time. Our parting was much less painful than many others had been. We had been preserved through so many trials and vicissitudes, that a separation of three or four months, attended with no hazards, to either party, seemed a light thing. We parted, therefore, with cheerful hearts, confident of a speedy reunion, and indulging fond anticipations of future years of domestic happiness. After my return to Rangoon, and subsequent arrival at Ava, I received several letters from her, written in her usual style, and exhibiting no subject of regret or apprehension, except the declining health of our little daughter Maria. Her last was dated the 14th of Sept. She says, ' I have this day moved into the new house, and, for the first time since we were broken up at Ava, feel myself at home. The house is large and MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. S33 convenient, and if you were here I should feel quite happy. The native population is increasing very fast, and things wear rather a favorable aspect. Moung Ing's school has commenced with ten scholars, and more are expected. Poor little Maria is still feeble. I sometimes hope she is getting bet- ter; then again she declines to her former weakness. When I ask her where Papa is, she always starts up and points towards the sea. The servants behave very well, and I have no trouble about anything excepting you and Maria. Pray take care of your- self, particularly as it regards the intermittent Yevcr at Ava. May God preserve and bless you, and restore you in safety to your new and old home, is the prayer of your affectionate Ann.' " On the 3d of Oct. Capt. F , Civil Superin- tendant of Amherst, writes, ' Mrs. Judson is extreme- ly well.' Why she did not write herself by the same opportunity, I know not. On the ISth, the same gentleman writes, 'I can hardly think it right to tell you, that Mrs. Judson has had an attack of fever, as before this reaches you, she will, I sincere- ly trust, be quite well, as it has not been so severe as to reduce her. This was occasioned by too close attendance on the child. However, her cares have been rewarded in a most extraordinary manner, as the poor babe, at one time, was so reduced, that no rational hope could be entertained of its recovery; but at present a most favorable change has taken place, and she has improved wonderfully. Mrs. Judson had no fever last night, so that the intermis- sion is now complete.' The tenor of this letter was such, as to make my mind quite easy, both as it regarded the mother and the child. My next com- munication was a letter with a black seal, handed me by a person, saying he was sorry to inform me of the death of the child. I know not whether this was a mistake on his part, or kindly intended to prepare my mind for the real intelligence. I went into my room, and opened the letter with feeling of SS4 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. gratitude and joy, that at any rate the mother was spared. It was from Mr. B , Assistant Superin- tendant of Amherst, dated the 26th of October, and began thus: " ' My dear Sir, to one who has suffered so much and with such exemplary fortitude, there needs but Httle preface to tell a tale of distress. It were cruel indeed to torture you with doubt and suspense. To sum up the unhappy tidings in a few words — Mrs. Judson is no more.^ "At intervals, I got through with the dreadful letter, and proceed to give you the substance as indehbly engraven on my heart. " ' Early in the month she was attagked with a most violent fever. From the first she felt a strong presentiment that she should not recover, and on the 24th, about eight in the evening, she expired. Dr. R was quite assiduous in his attentions, both as friend and physician. Capt. F procured her the services of a European woman from the 45th regiment; and be assured all was done, that could be done to comfort her in her sufferings, and to smooth the passage to the grave. We all feel deeply the loss of this excellent lady, whose short- ness of residence among us was yet sufficiently long to impress us with a deep sense of her worth and virtues. It was not until about the 20th that Dr. R. began seriously to suspect danger. Before that period, the fever had abated at intervals, but its last approach baffled all medical skill. On the morning of the 23d, Mrs. Judson spoke for the last time. The disease had then completed its conquest, and from that time, up to the moment of dissolution, she lay nearly motionless, and apparently quite insensi- ble. Yesterday morning, I assisted in the last mel- ancholy office of putting her mortal remains in the coffin; and in the evening her funeral was attended by all the European officers now resident here. We have buried her near the spot where she first landed; and I have put up a small rude fence around MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 335 the grave, to protect it from incautious intrusion. Your little g^irl Maria is nfiucli better. Mrs. Wliitlock has taken charge of her; and I hope she will con- tinue to thrive under her care.' ^ "Two days later, Captain F. writes thus to a friend in Rangoon: " 'I trust that you will be able to find means to inlbrm our friend of the dreadful loss he has sutiered. Mrs. Judson had slight attacks of fever from the SLh or 9th inst. but we had no reason to apprehend the fatal result. I saw her on the 18th, and at that time she was free from fever, scarcely if at all redu- ced. I was obliged to go up the country on a sud- den business, and did not hear of her danger until my return on the 24th; on which day she breathed her last at 8, P. M. I shall not attempt to give you an account of the gloom which the death of this most amiable woman has thrown over our small so- ciety. You, who were so well acquainted with her, must feel her loss more deejjiy; but we liad just known her long enough to value her acquaintance as a blessing in this remote corner. I dread the ef- fect it will have on poor Judson. I am sure you will take every care that this mournful intelligence may be opened to him as carefully as possible.' " The only other communication on this subject that has reached me, is tlie following line from Sir Archibald Campbell to the envoy: 'Poor Judson will be dreadfully distressed at the loss of his gc^d and amiable wife. She died the other day at Am- herst, of remittent fever, eighteen days ill.' " You perceive, that I have no account whatever of the state of her mind, in view of death and eternity, or of her wishes concerning her darling babe, whom she loved most intensely. I hope to glean some information on these points from the physician who attended her, and the native ccjnverts who must have been occasionally present. " I will not trouble you, my dear mother, with an account of my own" private leelings — the bitter 8S6 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. heart-rending anguish, which for some days would not admit of mitigation, and the comfort which the Gospel subsequently afforded, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which brings life and immortality to light. Blessed assurance — and let us apply it afresh to our hearts — that while I am writing and you perusing these lines, her spirit is resting and rejoicing in the heavenly paradise, ' Where glories shine, and pleasures roll, That charm, delight, transport the soul j And every panting wish shall be Possess'd of boundless bliss in thee.' And there, my dear mother, we also soon shall be, uniting and participating in the felicities of heaven with her, for whom we now mourn. ' Amen — even so, come, Lord Jesus.' " TO THE SAME. " Amherst, Feb. 4, 1827. " Amid the desolation that death has made, I take up my pen once more to address the mother of my be- loved Ann. I am sitting in the house she built — in the room where she breathed her last — and at a win- dow from which I see the tree that stands at the head of her grave, and the top of the ' small rude fence,' which they have put up ' to protect it from incautious intrusion.' " Mr. and Mrs. Wade are living in the house, having arrived here about a month after Ann's death; and Mrs. Wade has taken charge of my poor motherless Maria. I was unable to get any accounts of the child at Rangoon; and it was only on my arriving here, the 24th ult. that I learned she was still alive. Mr. Wade met me at the landing place, and as I passed on to the house, one and another of the native Christians came out, and when they saw me, they began to weep. At length we reached the house; and I almost expected to see my Love coming out to meet me, as usual : but no, I saw only in the arms of Mrs. Wade, a poor little puny child, who MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 337 could not recognise her weeping father, and irom whose infant mind had long been erased all recollec- tions of the mother who loved her so much. " She turned away from me in alarm, and I, obli- ged to seek comfort elsewhere, found my way to the grave; but who ever obtained comfort there ? Thence I went to the house, in which I left her; and looked at the spot where we last knelt in prayer, and where we exchanged the parting kiss. " The doctor who attended her has removed to another station, and the only information I can ob- tain, i3 such as the native Christians are able to communicate. " It seems that her liead was much affected, during her last days, and she said but little. She sometimes complained thus — ' The teacher is long in coming and the new Missionaries are long in coming : I must die alone, and leave my little one; but as it is the will of God, I acquiesce in his will. I am not afraid of death, but I am afraid I shall not be able to bear these pains. Tell the teacher that the disease was most violent, and I could not write; tell him how I suffered and died; tell him all that you see; and take care of the house and things until he rcturna.' When she was unable to notice anything else, she would still call the child to her, and charge the nurse to be kind to it, and indulge it in everything, until its father should return. Tiie last day or two, she lay almost senseless and motionless, on one side — her head reclining on her arm — her eyes closed— and at 8 in the evenmg, with one exclamation of distress in the Burman language, she ceased to breathe. " Feb. 7. I have been on a visit to the physician who attended her in her illness. He has the char- acter of a kind, attentive and skilful practitioner; and his communications to me have been rather con- soUng. I am now convinced that everything possi- ble was done; and that had I been present myself, I could not have essentially contributed to avert the latal termination of the disease. The doctor waa 29 888 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. with her twice a day, and frequently spent the greater part of the night by her side. He says, that from the first attack of the fever, she was per- suaded she should not recover; but that her mind was uniformly tranquil and happy in the prospect of death. She only expressed occasional regret at leav- ing her child, the native Christians, and the schools, before her husband or another missionary family could arrive. The last two days she was free from pain. On her attention being roused by reiterated questions, she replied, ' I feel quite well, only very weak.' These were her last words. " The doctor is decidedly of opinion that the fatal termination of the fever is not to be ascribed to the localities of the new settlement, but chiefly to the weakness of her constitution, occasioned by severe privations and long protracted sufferings which she endured at Ava. Oh, with what meekness, patience, magnanimity, and Christian fortitude, she bore those sufferings ! And can I wish they had been less ? Can I sacrilegiously wish to rob her crown of a single gem? Much she saw and suffered of the evil of this evil world; and eminently was she qualified to relish and enjoy the pure and holy rest into which she has entered. True, she has been taken from a sphere, in which she was singularly qualified, by her natural disposition, her winning manners, her devot- ed zeal, and her perfect acquaintance with the lan- guage, to be extensively serviceable to the cause of Christ; true, she has been torn from her husband's bleeding heart, and from her darling babe; but in- finite wisdom and love have presided, as ever, in this most afflicting dispensation. Faith decides, that it is all right; and the decision of faith, eternity will soon confirm. " I have only time to add, (for I am writing in great haste, with very short notice of the present opportunity of sending to Bengal,) that poor little Maria, though very feeble, is, I hope, recovering from her long illness. She began indeed to recover, while MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 339 under the care of the lady who kindly took charge of her, at her mother's death; but Aviien afler Air. Wade's arrival she was brought back to this house, ehe seemed to think that she had returned to her former home, and had found in Mrs. Wade her own mother. And certainly the most tender, affectionate care is not wanting to confirm her in this idea." But there was yet in reserve another trial, to add bitterness to the cup of his sorrow. The poor motherless child survived but a few months. Her father thus announced her death. TO MRS. JUDSON'S MOTHER. « Amherst, April 26, 1827. " Dear Mother Hasseltine, " My sweet little Maria lies by the side of her fond mother. The complaint, to which she was subject several months, (an affection of the bowels,) proved incurable. She had the best medical advice; and the kind care of Mrs. Wade could not have been, in any respect, exceeded by that of her own mother. But all our efforts, and prayers, and tears, could not propitiate the cruel disease. The work of death went forward; and after the usual process, excruci- ating to a parent's feelings, she ceased to breathe, on the 24th inst. at three o'clock, P. M. aged two years and three months. We then closed her faded eyes, and bound up her discolored lips, where the dark touch of death first appeared, and folded her little hands — the exact pattern of her mother's, on her cold breast. The next morning, we made her last bed, in the small enclosure which surrounds her mother's lonely grave. Together they rest in hope, under the hope tree, (Hopia) which stands at the head of the graves; and together, I trust, their spirits are rejoicing, after a short separation of pre- cisely six months. " Thus I am left alone in the wide world. My father's family, and all my relatives, have been, for 840 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSOIf. many years, separated from me, by seas that I shall never repass. They are the same to me as if buried. My own dear family I have actually buried: one in Rangoon, and two in Amherst. What remains for me, but to hold myself in readiness to follow the dear departed to that blessed world, ' "VVliere my best friends, my kindred dwell, Where God, my Saviour, reigns ? ' " The following letter, though written at a later period, may properly be introduced here : TO MRS. JUDSON'S SISTERS. « Maulmein, Dec. 4, 1827. " 5Iy dear Sisters, " It is a most affecting thought to me, that when you were expressing your feelings for my poor moth- erless Maria, and requesting that she might be sent home — that very day, perhaps hour, death was lay- ing his stiffening hand on her little emaciated form, and turning a deaf, pitiless ear to the supplications of her agonized father, and the yearning wishes of dear distant relatives. Death mocks at us, and tram- ples our dearest hopes and our lives in the dust. Dreadful tyrant, offspring and ally of sin! But go on now, and do thy worst. Thy time will come. The last enemy that shall be destroyed, is death. Yes, awful power, thou shalt devour thyself and die. And then my angelic Ann, and my meek blue- eyed Roger, and my tender-hearted, affectionate, darling Maria, — my venerable father, you, my dear sisters, that still remain, our still surviving parents, and I hope, myself, though all unworthy, shall be rescued from the power of death and the grave; and when the crown of life is set on our heads, and we know assuredly, that we shall die no more, we shall make heaven's arches ring with songs of praise to Him, who hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. "It is also an affecting thought, that when sister M. was writing hers of the 24th of October, 1826, — MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. S-U that very day, perhaps lioiir, the object of her sis- terly love was just becoming incapable of reciprocat- ing- the aflectionate salutation. Her head was re- clining- on her arm. She was thinking-, 1 doubt not, of her absent husband, her distant parents and sis- ters; and above all, of her poor sickly ori)han cliild, whose plaintive cries she could no more hush. And she thought, I doubt not, of her Saviour, and the heavenly glory that Avas just oj)ening to lier view. But on all these subjects, a cloud of darkness must ever rest, till dispelled by the light of lieaven. All my questioning of the people who were about her dying bed, has been able to elicit no other particu- lars, besides those which I have already communi- cated. " You ask many questions, in A.'s letter of Marrli 23, about our suiferings at Ava: but how can I an- swer them now.'* There would be some pleasure in reviewing those scenes, if she were alive; but now 1 cannot. The only pleasant reliection — the only one that assuages the anguish of retrospection — is, that she now rests far away, where no spotted faced executioner can fill her heart with terror; where no unfeeling magistrate can extort the scanty ])ittance which she had preserved through every risk, to sus- tain her fettered husband and famishing babe, no more exposed to lie on a bed of languishment, and stung with the uncertainty, what would become of her poor husband and child, when she was gone. No, she has her little ones around her, I trust, and has taught them to praise the source whence their deliverance flowed. Yes, her little son, his soul en- larged to angel's size, was perhaps the first to meet her at heaven's portals, and welcome his mother to his own abode. And her daughter followed her in six short months. Had she remained, it seems to me impossible to have complied with your request^ and sent her far from me over the seas. " How hapi)y should I be to find myself once more in the bosom oi" the familv in Bradlbrd, and tell you 20* 843 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. ten thousand things that I cannot put on paper. But this will never be. Nor is it of much conse- quence. A few more rolling suns, and you will hear of my death, or I of yours. Till then, believe me your most affectionate brother. And when we meet in heaven — when all have arrived, and we find all safe, forever safe, and our Saviour ever safe and glorious, and in him all his beloved — oh shall we not be happy, and ever praise Him who has endured the cross to wear and confer such a crown ! " There is a moral sublimity in the feelings which these letters disclose. Here are the workings of the strongest conjugal affection, and the tenderest pa- rental love. Here, too, are the triumphs of a faith which looks beyond the grave; and the consolations of a hope which gathers brightness from sorrow. Many hearts, we trust, are accustomed to remember this bereaved husband and father at the throne of mercy. May the grace of his Saviour ever be suf- ficient for him; and strengthen him to go onward in his missionary work, till he shall finish his course, and wear the crown. The following lines, written by Mrs. Boardman, on the death of the little Maria, may be appropriate- ly introduced here. They possess much poetic merit. But the tender, pious feeling which per vades them, enhances their value: Ah ! this is death, my innocent ; 'tis he. Whose chilling hand has touch'd thy tender frame. With placid feeling, we behold thee still. For thou art lovely in his cold embrace — Serene thy whiten'd brow, — and thy mild eye Ting'd with a deeper blue than when in health. Thy trembling lips are pale — thy bosom throbs ; Yet still we weep not — for full well we know. This agitation is thy soul's release. From its low tenement, to mount above. Thou heed'st us not ; not e'en the bursting sigh Of tliy dear father, now can pierce thine ear. And yet that look, tiiat supplicating glance. MEMOIR OF MRS- JTJnSON. S43 What would it cnivel what wouldst tliou ask, my lovcl Has e'er thy fatlier told thee of a i^pnt, A dwellmg place from himiaii ken eoneealed? A mansion where tlie weary, and the sad. And broken liearted, find a yweet reijose] And h;is he told thee, in that restinfj place There cahnly slumbers one, whoge gentle hand, From earliest infancy, supplied thy wantsl Whose bosom was thy pillow; and whose ej-e Forever beam'd on thee, with fondest I(ive'? And wouldst thou seek thy motlier in the gravet (For 'tis the {rrave I speak of) — there is rest — And thou art weary, love, and need'st repose. Though short thy life, full many a day of pain. And night of restlessness, has been thy lot. Born in a heathen land, — far, far reni(»v'd From all thy parents lov'd, in former years — When thou fust saw'st the light, these were not llici^. To kneel beside thy mother, and implore Blessings upon thy little head, and sing The song of gratitude, and joy, and praise. Strangers were there; strangers to truth aud {xuice; Strangers to feeling; strangers to her God. Thy father came not then to kiss his babe. And glad the heart of her who gave thee birtii. Alas ! a loathsome, dark, and dreary cell Was his abode, — anxiety his guest. Thy mother's tale, replete with varied scenes, Exceeds my powers to tell ; but other harps. And other voices, sweeter far than mine. Shall sing her matchless worth, her deeds of love. Her zeal, her toils, her sufferings, and her death. But all is over now- She sweetiy sleeps. In yonder new-made grave ; awd thou, sweet bal)e, Shalt soon be softly pillowed on her breast. Yes, ere to-morrow's sun shall gild tl»e west. Thy father shall have said a long adieu To the last ling'ring hope of earthly joy: Thy throbbings will have ceas'd ; thine eye be closed J And thou, Maria, wilt have found thy rest. Thy flesh shall rest in hop<;, till that great day. When He who once cndur'd far greater woes Than mortal man can know ; who when on eartli Receiv'd the little children to his arms. Graciously blessing them, shall come again: Sliall couie — not 1h the garb of sinful man — 344 MEMOIR OF MRS, JUDSON. But clothed in majesty, array 'tl in power. Then shall thy dust arise — nor thine alone ; But all who sleep shall wake and rise with thee. Then, like the glorious body of thy Lord, Who wakes thy dust, this fragile IVame shall be. Then shalt thou mount with him on angel's wings ; Be freed from sorrow, sickness, sin and deatli. And in his presence find eternal bliss. Those who have followed, thus far, this eventful narrative, do not need any comment to assist them to form an estimate of Mrs. Judson. We cannot, hoAvever, refrain from taking- notice of two or three prominent points of her character. Her habitual piety is the most lovely and impor- tant trait. It was not an official devotion, assumed on particular occasions. It was not a flame which blazed up brightly at rare and uncertain intervals. She was everywhere and at all times, the Christian and the Missionary. She walked with God. Her secret journals, in which she recorded her thoughts, with no witness but the Searcher of hearts; her most private letters, in which she poured out her feelings without reserve, are marked by even more of fervent and humble piety than her public wri- tings. Religion was the chosen theme of her con- versation; and it is known that she spent much time in secret devotion. The hopes of religion support- ed her in her appalling sufferings; and the love of Christ constrained her to persevere unto death in her efforts to lead the poor wanderers of Burmah to the Shepherd and Bishop of their souls. Her unwearied perseverance is another character- istic. Something of this may be attributed to her natural temperament; but it is mainly to be ascribed to tne ardor of her desire for the salvation of men. We have seen her, amid perplexities, disease and danger, pressing steadily onward towards the great object to which her life was devoted. The state of her health repeatedly forced her away from the scene of her labors; but she returned the moment MEMOIR OF MRS. JDDSON. 9|B that her recruited strength would permit. The tumults of war and the exnsperated harharity of the trovcrnmcnt, snlijected her and lier a.ssociati-s to sufferings unparalleled in the iiistory of modern missions. But as soon as peace returned, instead of flying from a country where she had endured so much, and where her benevolent toils liad heen so cruelly requited, her first thoughts were directed to the reestablish mentof the mission. Of her intellectual powers, it is needless to say anything. Her actions and her writings furnish ample evidence of superior talents. It would be proper to say something in this place, of her person, her manners, and her private charac- ter. On these points, however, we can say little from personal knowk'dge, as the author had hut once the pleasure of an interview with her. The portrait prefixed to this volume is thought by her friends to be a correct resemblance of her, as she appeared during her hte visit to the United States. In her manners, tliere was much unaffected dignity: but she was affable; and there w^as an attractive grace in her conversation, resulting from the union of mental strength with feminine affections. Her dispositions were kind, and her benevolence warm, active, and unwearied. Her constitutional temper- ament was ardent, and may sometimes have had too much influence over her feelings. The imj)ortant and sorrowful scenes through whicli she passed, call- ing for decision, activity, energy, and fortitude, were less favorable than the sheltered and quiet retirement of domestic life, for the cultivation of the sr»."t.er and the gentler qualities; and their etlect may ha\'e been perceptible in her character. But a woman, placed m her situation, and tasked with her duties, is not to be judged by any ordinary standard. We appeal, with confidence, to the course of her life, to her journals and letters, and to those ])ersons, of kindred minds and feelings, who have conversed with her, for ample testimony to the warmth of her aflections, S46 MEMOIR OP MRS. JUDSOK. to her affability, modesty and meekness, as well as to the strength of her intellect, and the ardor of her zeal for the welfare of mankind. Envy, with its acute vision, and calumny, with its open ear and ready tongue, although they have assailed her, have never insinuated a doubt of the purity of her life. She Avas a mark for malice, aimed not at her alone, but at the cause of her Saviour. The reproaches which were meant for him, fell on her; but she was content to suffer for his sake. She felt, too, that she was imperfect. Her journals and letters exhibit numerous proofs of her acquaintance with her own heart, and of her deep grief for the deficiency of her holiness. But she is perfect now; and doubtless she looks back upon her life on earth with adoring wonder and gratitude for the grace of her Saviour, who pardoned her sins, and made her useful in his service, and conducted her, at last, by many a rough path, and through many deep waters, to the rest which remaineth for the people of God. It appears to be a mysterious and afflictive dispen- sation, that she was summoned away, at the moment when the prospects of the mission seemed the most inviting. She had become familiar with the lan- guage; and she had acquired much experience. She had arrived at a spot where she could, without restraint, employ all her influence for the spiritual benefit of the heathen. But God saw fit to remove her; for her work was done. She had not lived in vain. Five converted Burmanshad gone before her to heaven. Her name will be remembered in the churches of Burmah, in future times, when the Pa- godas of Gaudama shall have fallen; Avhen the spires of Christian temples shall gleam along the waters of tlie Irrawaddy and the Sal wen; and when the ' golden city' shall have lilted up her gates to let the King of Glory in. Let us hope, meanwhile, that her bright example will inspiremany others with the generous resolution to toil and to die, like her, for the salvation of the heathen. MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 347 The remains of Mrs. Judson were buried at Amherst, under a large tree, (the Ilopia,) and about fifty rods from the house where she had resided. Two mai-ble grave-stones, procured at the expense of a number of female friends m this country, have beeji sent to Amlierst, under the du*ection of the Board, and placed over her grave, with the following n«^at and appropriate inscription, written by tlie Kev. Dr. Belles, the Corresponding Secretary : — ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF ANN H. JUDSON, WIFE OF ADONIRAM JUDSON, MISSIONARY OF THE BAPTIST GENERAL CONVENTION, IN THE UNITED STATES, TO THE BURMAN EMPIRE. She was born at Bradford, In tlie State of Massachusetts, North America, Dec. 22, 1789. She arrived, with her llusliaiid, at R;mgoon, In July, 1813; And there commenced those MISSIONARY TOILS, Which she sustained with such CHRISTIAN FORTITUDE, DECISION, AND PERSEVERANCE, Amid Scenes of Civil Commotion and Personal Aflliction, As won for her Universal Respect and Affection. She died, at Amherst, Oct. 21, 1826. 348 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSOrf. The following obituaiy lines were written by one of the most accomplished literary ladies in this coun- try. They were accompanied by a polite note to the Editor, in which she expressed her high sense of the " energy, disinterestedness and sublime piety," which distujguished the character of Mrs. Judson. ON READING THE MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. I SAW her on the straaid. — Beside her smil'd Her native land, and her beloved home, With all their pageantry of light and shade, Streamlet and vale. There stood her childhood's friends,- Sweet sisters, who had shar'd her inmost thoughts, And saint-like parents, whose example rais'd Those thoughts to Heaven. It was a strong array ! And the fond heart clung to its rooted loves. But Chris^ had given it panoply, which earth Might never overthrow. And so she tum'd To boisterous ocean, and forsook the clime ^V^10se halcyon bowers had nurs'd her joyous youth. Again I look'd. — It was a foreign shore. The tropic sun had laid his burning head On twilight's lap. A gorgeous palace caught His last red ray, while hoarse the idol song To Boodah, mingled \^ith the breeze that curl'd Broad Irrawaddy's tide. Why do ye point To yon lone prison ? Who is he tliat gropes Amid its darkness with those fetter'd limbs ? Mad pagans ! do ye thus requite the man Who toils for your scdvation ? See that form Bending in tenderest s^'mpathy to soothe The victim's sorrow. Tardy months pass by, And find her still intrepid at "the post Of danger, and of disappointed hope. Stern sickness smote her, but she felt it not Heeded it not, and still with tireless zeal Carried the hoarded morsel to her love ; Dar'd the rude arrogance of savage power To plead for iiim, and bade his dungeon giow With her fair l)row. as erst the angel's smile .'\rous'd imprisoii'd Peter, when his hands, Loos'd from their chains, were lifted high in praise. '['hero was another scene, drawn by his h;uid Wiiose poUitl pencil blotteth all the grace MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 'MO And loveliness of man. Keen an^iish pours Its fiercest darts into tliat martyr's soul, Who is about to wasii her garments while In the Redeemer's blood, and glorious rise From tribulation to a world of rest. Dark Burman faces are around her bed, And one pale babe, — to hush whose wailing cry She checks the death-g'roan, and with fond embrace Still clasps it firmly to her icy breast, Even till the heart-strings break. He comes ! he comes ' The wearied man of God, from distant toil. His home, while yet it seems a misty speck, His glance descries, — half wondering that the step Of his beloved glides not o'er the heath, As wont, to meet him. Ah ! what heathen lip, In its strange language, told him, that on earth Nothin"' remain'd which to his throbbing heart In that Hour's desolation he mijjht press. Save that poor, famish'd infant. Days of care- Were measur'd to him, and long nights of grief Weigh'd out, — and then that little, moaning one Went to its mother's bosom, and slept sv\ect 'Neath the cool branches of the Hopia-tree. 'Twas bitterness to think that bird-like voice Must bre.nhe no more. This is to be alone I Alone in this wide world. Yet not without A Comforter. For the meek heart, that trusts Its all to Heaven, and sees its treasur'd things Unfold their hidden wing, and thither soar. Doth gamer up its hopes more firmly there. And toward that blessed hour look joyously, Which binds its sever'd links, to break no more. Hart/ord (Conn.) L. II. S. The following Address, which has appeared in o J the previous editions of this hook, it is thouglit proper to retain, and to insert in this place. It con- tains some valuahle information respecting the con- dition of females in the East ; and it appeals, with eloquence and force, to the sensihilitics of tin- frinale licart — to the sympathies and compassion of Christian motlu^rs, wives and daughters. It is a happy pe- culiai-ity of modem hencvolcnt exertions, tliat femoles 30 350 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. are invited to participate in the holy work of benefit- ing and savuig manlcind. There arc posts which they may occupy, appropriate to tlieir warm affec- tions and tlieir untiring zeal, and yet to their modest and retiruig habits. A large proi>ortion of the whole sum of good, which is accomplished in the world, is the result of female diligence and liberality. In the support of the Burman mission, the ladies of our churches and congregations may contribute essential aid. The female schools seem to claim their special attention, as the most direct and efficacious method of elevating the social condition, cultivating the minds, and saving the souls of the women of Bur- mah. It was with a view to these schools, that this Address was written ; and although she who here uttered lier thoughts and her benevolent desires, is gone to the world of spirits, yet, being dead, she still speaks; and we })ersuade ourselves, tliat her voice will not be heard in vain. ADDRESS TO FEMALES IN AMERICA RELATIVE TO THE SITUA- TION OF HEATHEN FEMALES IN THE EAST. "Boston, Nov. 19, 1822. " In the land of my birth, rendered doubly dear from the long-entertained thought of never again be- holding it ; in the country favored by Heaven above most others, it is with no common sensations, I address my sisters and female friends on this most interesting subject. Favored as we are, from in- fancy, with instruction of every kind ; used as we are to view the female mind in its proper state; and accustomed as we are to feel the happy effects of female influence, our thoughts would fain turn away from the melancholy subject of female degradation, of female wretcluHlness. But will our feelings of pity and compassion — will those feoluigs which nloim MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 351 render the female character lovely, allow us to turn away — to dismiss the subject altogether, without making an effort to rescue — to save ? No ! I think I hear your united voices echo the reply: 'Our efforts shall be joined with yours. Show us the sit- uation of our tawny sisters the other side of the world, and though the disgusting picture break our hearts, it will fill us with gi-atitude to Him who has made us to differ, and excite to stronger exertion in their behalf.' Listen, then, to my tale of wo ! "In Bengal and Hindostan, the females, in the higher classes, are excluded from the society of men. At the age of two or three years, they are married by their parents to children of their own rank in society. On these occasions, all the parade and splendor possible ai-c exhibited ; they are then con- ducted to their father's abode, not to be educated, not to prepare for the performance of duties incum- bent on wives and mothers, but to drag out the usual period allotted in listless idleness, in mental torpor. At the age of thirteen, fourteen, or fifteen, they arc demanded by their husbands, to whose home they are removed, where again confinement is their lot. No social intercourse is allowed to cheer theu* gloomy hours ; nor have they the consolation of feeling that they are viewed, even by their husbands, in the light of companions. So far from receiving those delicate attentions which render happy the conjugal state, and which distinguish civilized from heathen nations, tlie wife receives the appellation o£my servant, or my dog, and is allowed to partake of what her lordly husband is pleased to give at the conclusion of his repast ! In this secluded, degraded situation, females in India receive no instruction ; consequently, they arc wholly uninformed of an eternal state. No won- der mothers consider female existence a curse ; hence their desire to destroy their female offspring, and to burn themselves with the bodies of their de- ceased husbands. This last circumstance might un[)ly some attachment, were it not a well-known fact, 352 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUD90N. that the disgrace of a woman who refuses to bum with the corpse of her husband is such, that her nearest relations would refuse her a morsel of rice to prevent her starvation.* Thus destitute of all enjoyment, both here and hereafter, are the females in Bengal. Such is their life, such their death — and here the scene is closed to mortal view ! But they are amiable, say some, and destitute of those violent passions, which are exhibited among females in our own country. My beloved friends, be not deceived. Who ever heard that ignorance was favorable to the culture of amiable feelmgs ? Their minds are in such a state of imbecility, that we might hope to find at least an absence of vicious feelings. But facts prove the contrary. Whenever an opportunity for exhibiting the malignant passions of the soul occurs, human nature never made a more vigorous effort to discover her odious deformity, than has been ob- served in these secluded females. " But let us turn our eyes from the present picture to one not less heart-rending, but where hope may have a greater influence to brighten and to cheer. The females in the Burman empire (containing a population far above the United States of America,) are not, like the females in Bengal, secluded from all society. In this respect, they are on an equality with ourselves. Wives are allowed the privilege of eating with their husbands. They engage in domestic con- cerns, and thus, m some respects, the Burman females deserve our particular sympathy and atten- tion. But they enjoy little of the confidence or affections of their husbands, and to be born a female, is universally considered a peculiar misfortune. The wife and grown daughters are considered by the husband and father as much the subjects of disci- pline as younger children ; hence it is no uncommon thing for females of eveiy age and description to * Since this Address was written, the practice of buruine widows in India has been abolished by law. This is one o7 the blessed effects of Christianity. MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. 353 Buffer under the tyrannic rod of those who should be tlieir protectors. " Burmah, also, like her sister nations, suffers the female mind to remain in its native state, without an effort to show how much more highly she has been fa- vored. The females of this country are lively, inquisi- tive, strong and energetic, susceptible of friendship and the wai-mest attachment, and possess minds naturally capable of rising to the highest state of cultivation and refinement. But, alas ! they are taught nothing that has a tendency to cherish these best native feel- ings of the heart. That they possess strong, ener- getic minds, is evident from then' mode of conversing, and from that inquisitive turn, which is so conspicu- ous. It may not, perhaps, be unmteresting to men- tion a particular display of mental energy, as exhibited in the early inquiries of Mali Men-la. " Some time previous to our arrival in Rangoon, her active mind was led to inquire the origin of all things. If a Boodh was deity, who created all that her eyes beheld ? She inquired of this person and that, visited all the teachers within the curcle of her acquaintance ; but none were able to give her satis- factory information on the subject. Her anxiety increased to such a degi-ee, that her own family feared she would be deranged. She finally resolved on learning to read, that she might be able to gain the desired information from their sacred books. Her husband, willing to gi'atify her curiosity in this respect, taught her to read himself After having acquired what very few Burman females are allowed to acquire, she studied the sacred books^ which left her mind in the same inquisitive state as when she commenced. For ten years she had continued her inquiries, when, one day, a neighbor brought in a ti-act written by Mr. Judson, from which she derived her first ideas of an eternal God. Her next difficulty airose from her being ignorant of the residence of the author of the tract, and it was not till afler the erection of the zayat, that this difficulty was removed. By 30* 354 MEMOIR OF MRS. JUDSON. her inquiries respecting the Christian religion, she evinced a mind, which, had it been early and prop- erly cultivated, vv^ould have hardly been surpassed by females in our own counUy. And happy am I to add, that she not only became rationally and speculatively convinced of the truths of the gospel, but was, I trust, taught to feel their power on her heart, by the inlBuence of the Holy Spirit, embraced them, has become an ornament to her profession; and her daily walk and conversation would shame many professors of religion in Christi.in countries. *' Shall we, my beloved friends, suffer minds like these to lie dormant, to wither in ignorance and de- lusion, to grope their way to eternal ruin, without an effort, on our part, to raise, to refine, to elevate, and to point to that Saviour who has died equally for them as for us ? Shall we sit down in indolence and ease, indulge in all the luxuries with which we are surrounded, and which our country so bounti- fully affords, and leave beings like these, flesh and blood, intellect and feeling, like ourselves, and of our oivn sex, to perish, to sink into eternal misery ? No ! By all the tender feelings of which the female mind is susceptible ; by all the privileges and blessings resulting from the cultivation and expansion of the human mind ; by our duty to God and our fellow- creatui-es, and by the blood and groans of Him who died on Calvary, let us make a united effort ; let us call on all, old and young, in the circle of our ac- quaintance, to join us in attempting to meliorate the situation, to instruct, to enlighten, and save females in the Eastern world ; and though time and circum- stances should prove that our united exertions have been ineffectual, we shall escape at death that bitter thought, that Burman females have been lost, without an effort of ours to prevent their ruin. "ANN H. JUDSON." DateJ)ue