hearts, are living stones, built up a Jan. 20. This afternoon, at three spiritual house, and acceptable to o'clock, Br. Cutter and myself with God, by Jesus Christ-also that Je-two candidates for baptism, and sevsus Christ is the chief corner-stone, eral others accompanying us, repairelect, precious. To those who be- ed to the Irrawaddy. While reading, lieve on Him he is precious. He is praying, and administering the ordithe stone which the builders disal-nance of baptism, 18 or 20 Burmans lowed; but is now, made the head of came, sat down, and listened with the corner. To this the Apostle great attention. The ordinance was Paul agrees: Other foundation can administered but a few steps from no man lay than that which is laid, the King's water Palace, it being the which is Jesus Christ.' most retired place, though every Considerable desultory conversa-place here swarms with human betion followed, and not altogether unprofitable, I trust, to those who listened. Many heard more of the Scriptures, and of the way of life, than they ever did before. Thus I Three interesting Inquirers. have given you a brief outline of the Jan. 25. Three persons called todispute you have the argument The Priest acknowledged day who have been good inquirers before all the people that the Burman for a long time, but have never beTestament was a faithful and literal fore frankly declared their faith in ntire. translation. Increase of Attention at Ava. Jan. 15. For some time we have been occupying a zayat on the great street that leads to Ummerapoora. Great numbers come and listen to the word of God;-7 or 8 hundred is the common number that attend in the course of the day. We give away from 2 to 4 hundred tracts in a day; but we refuse the greater half that ask, and must do so till we have stereotype plates. Occasionally we occupy the large gold zayat on the south-west side of the city. We have two other places, where ace and twice a week the gospel is preached to a considerable number. Visiters at the house as usual. ings. To us this is a solemn and interesting season: we trust it is the commencement of good days in Ava. Christ. One of them is a young man of the first order. He says his mind is clear; he has found that religion which gives him peace. It is joyful indeed to see such sterling talents under the influence of the Gospel. They have promised to attend on the following Sabbath. I cannot doubt but they have faith, but I fear that baptism will bring them to a stand. Jan. 27. Lord's day. Had an interesting assembly. The three persons mentioned on the 25th came in, and brought two others with themwho are inquirers also. I preached from the passage, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." After services were closed, we had Examinations and Baptism. much conversation, and I leel enJan. 19. Lord's day. After the couraged to hope that they will ere morning services, we examined long enter the visible kingdom of Moung Shwa-ra, a young Burman, 25 God, and become shining lights in years old. He has been an inquirer the world. or nearly four months, and for some days past has been asking for baptism. We also examined a countryborn young man, who for five months past has been an attentive inquirer. Having satisfactory evidence that they had passed from death to life, we voted to receive them among the number of Christ's disciples. Great Attention. Jan. 28. Ko Shoon and Ko Sanlone have just returned from the the great zayat we occupy on street towards Ummerapoora. They preached from 9 in the morning, till dark, to immense crowds of people. They think a thousand persons heard the Gospel. They gave away 400 tracts, and twice the number of peo- LETTER FROM REV. MR. KINCAID TO ple asked for books. One Kathay, who lives near the zayat, has become a hopeful inquirer. The Gospel is now sounding out into every town around. Jan. 29. The A-choke-Woon (a nobleman who wears nine gold chains, and ranks with an Atwen Woon) sent me an invitation to call at his house, and converse on the subject of religion. This evening Br. Cutter and myself called, and were treated with much civility. I told him in a few words the character of that Being whom we adore, and the nature of that service which He requires. He at once inquired," Are you a priest?" No. I am a teacher of religion. He asked a variety of questions, and on the whole appeared more anxious to gratify his curiosity than to inform his mind. The Offence of the Cross. Jan. 30. Had a long conversation to-day with a man who professes to have obtained a clear knowledge of the living God by reading our books; but he says he cannot believe that Christ is the Son of God, and that he came into the world and died upon the cross for the good of man. I said, formerly you worshipped idols, and pagodas-now you cannot; and why? Because you have read the words of Christ, and know there is a living God. Now you do not see your own sins, and therefore you reject Christ the only Saviour. Christ has given you all the light you have got, and yet you say you cannot believe in Him. That great lesson, that men are dead in trespasses and sins, is one of the hardest lessons for a heathen to learn. DR BOLLES. Ava, February 16th, 1834. Rev. and very dear Sir, The preceding extracts from my journal will enable you to judge of the probable prospect of the mission, becoming permanent in Ava. A recent occurrence mentioned in my letter will give you a little insight into the feelings of the Ministry. When Br. Cutter arrived with his press, I felt that it was an event that would bring the Ministers out, and it was with much anxiety we waited the result of their deliberations. An appeal to their own sense of justice, made them acknowledge that we ought to be allowed to have a printing-press in our house, and print whatever we pleased, and that we had a right to praise our own religion, and give away our sacred books. They said, "Here is a book (the Investigator) which reviles our religion, and we cannot consent to have it given to the people." These deliberations took place in public, and great numbers listened. We feel that the special providence of God is watching over this little branch now planted in Ava. In your prayers for wretched Burmah, remember the cities of Ava, Ummerapoora, and Sagaing. O that God would have mercy on these towns, and bless the word of His grace. At present we are all well. The hot season, however, is near at hand, and we dread its influence. Opening for a Female School in Ava. P. S. Some time since, I mentioned the subject of schools-that we had a few children. We now have 6 who have learned to read. As Encouraging State of Things. soon as prudence will dictate, if we can get a room, we will gather in February 1. Great numbers at- more scholars. Will not some of tend in the zayat on the opposite our Christian friends make up a box side of the little river. Surely truth for schools in Ava? Mrs. C. and is breaking in upon the surrounding Mrs. K. could soon have a girls' darkness, and if there is no inter-school from among the highest class ruption to the work, some great revo-in Ava, if they had the things neceslution must take place. sary to teach them to sew, as well as to read. We have nothing here and cannot obtain even a pair of scissors, for what 20 pair would cost in America. If a few churches in the country knew how much good they could do in this way, we should soon be supplied. MAULMEIN. Our last advices from Mr. Judson, (see page 360, last volume) brought intelligence down to Jan. 31, 1834, at which date he had just completed the translation of the Bible into Burman. Our readers will rejoice in the brief notices which follow, of the progress of the Gospel in the vicinity of Maulmein and Tavoy. MR. JUDSON'S JOURNAL. Newville, March 12, 1834. Cheering Visit to Newville. I have spent a few days in this place, where, on my arrival, I found the church consisting of 25 members only; several having removed to the vicinity of the Chummerah church; which, though of later origin, is now five or six times larger than the Newville. Day before yesterday, and to-day, nine new members have been received at this place, and there are five or six others, with whom I feel satisfied; but, for various reasons, their baptism has been deferred. In the number received, the most noticeable case, is that of Lausau, and wife. He is a petty chief, and possesses more personal influence, than any Karen yet baptized in these parts. He has been considering the Christian religion, with approbation, for three years, but has had great difficulties to encounter, resulting from his family connexions, and from his inveterate habit of temperate drinking. Until the present time, he could never resolve on adopting the principle of entire abstinence; but I trust that conviction of truth, and love of the Saviour, have enabled him to gain the victory. 16. On leaving Newville, it was my intention to go up the Patah river; but, not finding sufficient water this season, I turned into the Houng-tarau; and, having visited a village, where there are several inquirers, returned to Maulmein. Revision of the Old Testament. April 1. Have been closely engaged in revising a few books of the Old Testament for the press,-the regular printing of the whole being now commenced. I say, commenced, for the edition of the Psalms, which is out of press, we do not consider as forming a part of the present edition of the Old Testament; for it will probably be expended bein course with the rest of the work. fore long, and have to be reprinted To-day, dispatched Pallah, and three younger Karen assistants, to the aid of Ko Thah-byoo, in the vicinity of Rangoon, intending to proceed thither myself before long. Visit to Tavoy.—Marriage. Tavoy, April 10. I arrived here on the evening of the 6th instant. Am delighted with this station, and every thing about it. The few native Christians, whom I have seen, together with the schools, appear excellently well. But the glory of this station, the two hundred Karen converts, and their village of Mee-tahmyo, I found myself not at leisure to visit. Indeed, I have hardly found time to step out of the mission inclosure, since my arrival; and, to-day, having received the benediction of the Rev. Mr. Mason, I embark for Maulmein, accompanied by Mrs. Judson, and the only surviving child of the beloved founder of the Tavoy station. Once more, farewell to thee, Boardman, and thy longcherished grave. May thy memory be ever fresh and fragrant, as the memory of the other beloved, whose beautiful, death-marred form reposes at the foot of the Hopia tree. Domestic. We have been furnished, by bro. Pattison, with the following interesting article, to which we willingly give place, at the expense of other matter of less urgency and moment, prepared for this number. CONVENTION OF WESTERN BAP- Held in Cincinnati, Ohio, Nov. 5, 1834, Object of the Convention. single-handed; while thousands will be stimulated to efforts, by being made acquainted with the active habits of others. The Convention has no funds. It is not its object, to be responsible for the financial operations it may be the means of bringing into existence. It would originate by awakening a general interest, and would control by advice, but commit the detail to other hands. What the Convention is doing. With this object before them, and distinctly understood, they held their first Anniversary during the month of November last, in the same city where it was organized the year previous. There were present, as delegates, 38 ministers, from 6 different States in the West; 7 who were delegates from several of the most important benevolent soThese, together cieties of the East. with between 30 and 40 lay-brethren, constituted an organized body, of no litthe interest to witness, as was often feit, when accompanying them in their deliberations, listening to their discussions, or imagining them as the heralds of salvation, and the defenders of the truth, amid the thickening multitudes that are settling that immense and fertile Valley. Having appointed the Rev. J. L. Holman, Chairman, (Rev. S. M. Noel, the President, being absent,) and Messrs. J. Stevens, and C. Quirey, Secretaries, the Convention proceeded to business, which continued, with no other interruption than that of the Sabbath, until the following Tuesday; being, in all, 6 days. Our limits will not allow us to give a minute account of the manner in wbich each of the several subjects was treated, and of the effects which may reasonably be supposed to follow. All, or nearly all of the benevolent operations peculiar to the day, were brought under review; and, concerning some of them, measures were adopted for their immediate advancement. The object of the Convention, is the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom, throughout the world; but, with While institutions already in existspecial reference to the religious condi- ence, and in somewhat successful operation of the Mississippi Valley. They tion, such as the Tract, Sabbath School, hope to promote this object, by means of Bible, Temperance Cause, &c., were ensuch an organization; since, thereby, couraged to greater and more united there will be not only a concentration of efforts, the materials were collected and energies already in existence, but dor- adjusted for a few others either entirely mant ones may be awakened, and called new, or hitherto too imperfectly organinto action. Greater efficacy is antici-ized to accomplish the good they ought. pated, than could be realized by each individual Christian, laboring alone and The cause of Home Missions, it is believed, received a strong and well-direct ed impulse. The brethren of the West intellect, of him whom the Son seemed fully to appreciate their relation makes free-is a spirit-stirring enterprise to this department of religious effort; which a people, naturally susceptible, both its importance to themselves, and cannot contemplate, without thrilling their own duty in promoting its great emotions. We shall hear the inquiry undertakings. The following resolution from every quarter of that wide land, may be taken as an expression of their and from our thousands of churches feelings on this subject:— there, Lord, what wilt thou have us to do? Resolved, That the efficiency of the ef forts employed by the American Baptist Home Mission Society, which are mainly directed to the benefit of the western states and territories, will greatly depend, under God, upon the active co-operation of the Western Baptists. Though resolves of this kind are often little else than human breath, yet no one who was present, and witnessed the spirit manifested, could doubt, but that great and lasting results must follow in favor of truth and piety. That many churches now destitute of one to break unto them the bread of life, will soon be supplied, while many new churches will be called into existence. The men The cause of Education, especially of Ministerial Education, awakened if possible a still deeper interest. The time occupied in deliberations on this subject was sufficient to give it a patient and faithful investigation. The facts presented, as to the wants of a thoroughly educated ministry, and the general destitution of the means of Education in the west-facts thrown out in free discussions and elicited by enquiries, were of a highly interesting character. The subject became in the end engrossing; in which one found it difficult to know, whether most to admire the spirit of brotherly kindness, which merged all minor differences and sectional interests Foreign Missions, also, were taken in the great cause itself, or the zeal up de novo. Having never acted in which seemed to prompt all to deterconcert, in their past contributions, mined action. We left the Convention and the great mass of the Baptists in with the full conviction that a new era the west, many of whom are abundant-in the cause of ministerial Education ly rich, having never been called upon to aid in this cause, the Convention recommended to the Baptists of the Mississippi Valley, to furnish to the Baptist Foreign Mission the means requisite to sustain a Baptist Mission in the great Empire of China. A nobler enterprize could not have been selected. One more encouraging, at the present mo- While there are a number of new litment, or more eminently adapted to erary Institutions, soon to be brought inawaken a strong and prevailing interest to operation in the different western throughout that broad Valley. To plant States, over which the Convention have the banner of the cross in the centre of no direct influence-they resolved to the celestial empire is, indeed, a noble establish at some suitable point a Cenundertaking, and worthy of the magna- tral Theologica! Seminary-for the locanimit y ofa people, whom nature, in the tion of which and the farther developegreatness of her physical features, has ment of its plans, an able and judicious already inspired with corresponding con- Committee are now under appointment ceptions. To spread the light of revela- from the Convention. The growth and tion over the whole of that immense final success of this Seminary will decountry, with its numerous provinces, pend of course upon the character of the over all of which, rests, as yet, an un- professors and the liberality with which broken, and, as has hitherto been sup the friends of Christ shall endow it. As posed, impenetrable cloud of moral to the former, they must be men of just darkness to teach its crowded millions, practical knowledge, or they will never whom sin has degraded, and an absurd accomplish anything for the churches reverence for antiquity has almost stereo- there. We do not mean showy, as the typed in stupidity-justification by faith, term is sometimes used, but with much and the freedom of conscience and of sacred learning, and especially of the had commenced in the west. |