CHAPTER VI.

Mr. Judson commences Preaching.—Mrs. Judson sails for England and America.

THE mission had now been established several years, and something had been done, by private conversation, and through the press, to convey the knowledge of salvation to the natives. But it was thought that the time had arrived for more public and enlarged efforts. Mr. Judson was sufficiently: master of the language to preach publicly. Tracts and portions of the Scriptures were ready to be placed in the hands of inquirers. 'It was, therefore, resolved to erect a small building, (called a zayat,) adjoining the mission premises, near a great road, leading to one of the principal pagodas, and consequently much thronged. Here it was designed to preach the Gospel, and to converse with any person who might choose to visit it. This was a hazardous attempt. The missionaries had remained unmolested, because they lived retired, and had been able to obtain the favour of the Viceroy. But a public attempt to preach the Gospel, and to convert the natives to Christianity, was likely to attract the attention and displeasure of the government. It was well known, that a renunciation of the established religion would be punished with death.

But the missionaries resolved to make the attempt, and trust in the Lord for protection.

Messrs. Coleman and Wheelock immediately commenced the study of the language; but their health was so impaired, particularly that of Mr. Wheelock, that their progress was slow and limited.

In April, 1819, the zayat was opened, and a new era in the mission commenced.-Here Mr. Judson preached on the Sabbath, and on other days conversed with such of the natives as were disposed to attend. A school was kept in part of the building. Mrs. Judson thus describes the zayat, and the method of conducting the school.

"The zayat is situated thirty or forty rods from the mission-house, and in dimensions is twentyseven 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 opposite directions; made entirely of boards, and is whitewashed, to distinguish it from the other zayats around us.

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"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 position 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 imprinted with a species of white stone, a little similar to our slate pencils. A lesson is written out on this board by an instructor; and when the scholar is perfect master of it, it is erased, and a new one written."

Mrs. Judson studied the Siamese language, and with the assistance of a teacher translated the Burman catechism, tract, and the Gospel of Matthew into that language. Several thousand of Siamese lived in Rangoon. Under date of April 29, 1819, she writes" Relative to the mission, it is gaining ground slowly, but I hope surely. We have a place

erected for 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 hopeful inquirers, who really appeared to be a prepared people for the Lord. I have a meeting every Wednesday evening with the females, many of whom appear attentive and inquisitive.

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 excited little attention or hope. But the next day, and on several succeeding days, he repeated his visit.He soon gave conclusive evidence, that God had indeed changed his heart, and made him a believer in Christ. Mr. Judson thus notices some of the events in his journal.

*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 man; Oo, an old man; Mee, a girl; Mah, a young woman; May, an old woman.

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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 truth, affords 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 company, 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 visited me several times, and though, like Moung Nau, apparently backward at first, he appears to be really thoughtful. He is a young man of twentyseven, of very pleasant exterior, and evidently in good circumstances.

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May 9. Lord's day. Moung Shwa Oo came in the morning, and staid through the whole day.