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diff --git a/16863.txt b/16863.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..57468bf --- /dev/null +++ b/16863.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8869 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Lives of the Three Mrs. Judsons, by Arabella W. Stuart + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Lives of the Three Mrs. Judsons + +Author: Arabella W. Stuart + +Release Date: October 13, 2005 [EBook #16863] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIVES OF THE THREE MRS. JUDSONS *** + + + + +Produced by Joel Erickson, Robert Cicconetti, Stacy Brown +Thellend and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + +LIVES + +OF THE + +THREE MRS. JUDSONS: + +_MRS. ANN H. JUDSON_, + + _MRS. SARAH B. JUDSON_, + + _MRS. EMILY C. JUDSON_, + +MISSIONARIES TO BURMAH. + +BY + +ARABELLA W. STUART, + +(MRS. ARABELLA M. WILLSON.) + + + A self-denying band, who counted not + Life dear unto them, so they might fulfil + Their ministry, and save the heathen soul. + + +BOSTON: LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS. + +NEW YORK: CHARLES T. DILLINGHAM. + + +Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight +hundred and fifty-five, + +By Miller, Orton & Mulligan, + +In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Northern District of +New York. + + +[Illustration: Mrs. Ann H. Judson.] + +[Illustration: Mrs. Emily C. Judson.] + + + + +PREFACE. + + +Among the many benefits which modern missions have conferred on the +world, not the least, perhaps, is the field they have afforded for the +development of the highest excellence of female character. The limited +range of avocations allotted to woman, and her consequent inability to +gain an elevated rank in the higher walks of life, has been a theme of +complaint with many modern reformers, especially with the party who are +loud in their advocacy of woman's rights. That few of the sex have risen +to eminence in any path but that of literature, is too well known to +admit of denial, and might be proved by the scantiness of _female_ +biography. How few of the memoirs and biographical sketches which load +the shelves of our libraries, record the lives of women! + +The missionary enterprise opens to woman a sphere of activity, +usefulness and distinction, not, under the present constitution of +society, to be found elsewhere. Here she may exhibit whatever she +possesses of skill in the mastery of unknown and difficult dialects; of +tact in dealing with the varieties of human character; of ardor and +perseverance in the pursuit of a noble end under the most trying +discouragements; and of exalted Christian heroism and fortitude, that +braves appalling dangers, and even death in its most dreadful forms, in +its affectionate devotion to earthly friends, and the service of a +Heavenly Master. Compared with the true independence, the noble energy, +the almost superhuman intrepidity of the Mrs. Judsons, how weak and +despicable seem the struggles of many misguided women in our day, who +seek to gain a reluctant acknowledgment of equality with the other sex, +by a noisy assertion of their rights, and in some instances, by an +imitation of their attire! Who would not turn from a female advocate at +the bar, or judge upon the bench, surrounded by the usual scenes of a +court-house, even if she filled these offices with ability and talent, +to render honor rather to her, who laying on the altar of sacrifice +whatever of genius, or acquirement, or loveliness she may possess, goes +forth to cheer and to share the labors and cares of the husband of her +youth, in his errand of love to the heathen? + +And it seems peculiarly appropriate that woman, who doubtless owes to +Christianity most of the domestic consideration and social advantages, +which in enlightened countries she regards as her birthright, should be +the bearer of these blessings to her less favored sisters in heathen +lands. If the Christian religion was a Gospel to the _poor_, it +was no less emphatically so to woman, whom it redeemed from social +inferiority and degradation, the fruit for ages of that transgression +which "brought death into the world, and all our wo." Never until on the +morning of the resurrection "she came early unto the sepulchre," was she +made one in Christ Jesus (in whom "there is neither in male nor female") +with him who had hitherto been her superior and her master. Nor does she +seem _then_ to have misunderstood her high mission, or to have been +wanting to it. The 'sisters' in the infant churches rivalled the +brethren in attachment and fidelity to the cause, and to their +"ministry" the new religion was indebted in no small degree for its +unparalleled success. + +Perhaps an apology may be deemed necessary for _another_ memoir of the +distinguished females whose names adorn our title-page. With regard to +the _first_ Mrs. Judson, it has been thought that a simple narrative of +her life, unencumbered with details of the history of the mission, would +be more attractive to youthful readers than the excellent biography by +Mr. Knowles. Of the _second_, though we cannot hope or wish to rival the +graceful and spirited sketch by Fanny Forrester, still it is believed +that a plain, unembellished story of a life which was in itself so +exceedingly interesting, may also find favor with the public. + +As to the last of these three Christian heroines who has so lately +departed from among us, as full a sketch as practicable is given, from a +wish to embalm in one urn--perhaps a fragile one--the memories of _all_ +those whose virtues and affections have contributed so largely to the +happiness and usefulness of one of the noblest and most successful of +modern missionaries--the Rev. Adoniram Judson. + +The approval of several of the friends of the subjects of these memoirs, +has encouraged us in our undertaking, and it is our sincere desire that +the manner of its execution may be found acceptable, not only to them, +but to the friends of missions in general. And should the work gain +favor with our youthful readers, especially with female members of +Sunday-schools and Bible-classes, and prompt them to a noble emulation +of so illustrious examples, the author's fondest hopes will be more than +realized. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +PART I. + +THE LIFE OF THE FIRST MRS. JUDSON + + +CHAPTER I. Page + +Mrs. Judson's Birth.--Education and Conversion, 13 + +CHAPTER II. + +Her Marriage and Voyage to India, 21 + +CHAPTER III. + +Her Arrival at Calcutta.--Difficulties with the Bengal +Government.--Voyage to the Isle of France.--Death of Mrs. +Newell.--Change of Sentiments.--Voyage to Rangoon, 28 + +CHAPTER IV. + +Description of Burmah, its boundaries, rivers, climate, soil, fruits +and flowers--Burman People, their dress, houses, food, government +and religion, 37 + +CHAPTER V. + +Rangoon--Letters from Mrs. Judson, 52 + +CHAPTER VI. + +Learning the Language.--Mrs. J. visits the Wife of the Viceroy.--Her +Sickness.--Her Voyage to Madras.--Her Return to Rangoon.--Birth +of a Son, 60 + +CHAPTER VII. + +Difficulty of inculcating the Gospel.--Death of her Son.--Failure +of Mrs. Judson's Health.--Arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Hough at +Rangoon, 66 + +CHAPTER VIII. + +Missionary Labors.--Female Intellect in Burmah.--Description of +a Pagoda.--Burman Worship, and Offerings, 74 + +CHAPTER IX. + +Distressing Events.--Mr. Judson's Absence from Rangoon.--Persecution +of Mr. Hough.--His Departure for Bengal.--Mrs. Judson's +heroic Fortitude.--Mr. Judson's Return, 82 + +CHAPTER X. + +Intolerance of the Burman Government.--First Edifice for Christian +Worship erected.--Instruction of Natives.--Conversion of +a Native.--His Baptism.--That of two timid Disciples.--Messrs. +Judson and Colman visit Ava, 91 + +CHAPTER XI. + +Reception of Messrs. Colman and Judson at Ava--Their Return to +Rangoon.--Their Resolution to leave Rangoon.--Opposition of +Disciples to this Measure.--Increase of Disciples.--Their +Steadfastness.--Failure of Mrs. Judson's Health, 95 + +CHAPTER XII. + +Mr. and Mrs. Judson visit Bengal and return.--Mrs. Judson's Health +again fails.--Her Resolution to visit America.--Her Voyage to +England and Visit there, 104 + +CHAPTER XIII. + +Mrs. Judson's Arrival in America.--Influence of her Visit.--Hostile +Opinions.--Her Person and Manners.--Extracts from her Letters, 110 + +CHAPTER XIV. + +Further Extracts from her Letters.--Her Illness.--Her History of +the Burman Mission.--Her Departure from America with Mr. +and Mrs. Wade, 119 + +CHAPTER XV. + +Messrs. Judson and Price visit Ava.--Their Reception at +Court.--Their Return to Rangoon.--Mrs. Judson's Return.--A Letter +to her Parents describing their Removal to Ava.--Description of +Ava, 127 + +CHAPTER XVI. + +War with the British.--Narrative of the Sufferings of the +Missionaries during the War, 131 + +CHAPTER XVII. + +Narrative continued and concluded.--Their deliverance from Burman +Tyranny, and Protection by British Government, 141 + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +Influence of these Disasters on the Missionary +Enterprise.--Testimonials to Mrs. Judson's Heroic Conduct.--Letter +from Mr. Judson.--His Acceptance of the Post of Interpreter to +Crawford's Embassy.--Mrs. Judson's Residence at Amherst.--Her +Illness and Death.--Death of her Infant, 166 + + * * * * * + +PART II. + +THE LIFE OF THE SECOND MRS. JUDSON. + + +CHAPTER I. + +Birth and Education.--Poetical Talent, 183 + +CHAPTER II. + +Conversion.--Bias toward a Missionary Life.--Acquaintance with +Boardman, 193 + +CHAPTER III. + +Account of George Dana Boardman, 198 + +CHAPTER IV. + +Marriage of Miss Hall and Mr. Boardman.--They sail for +India--Letter from Mr. B.--Letters from Mrs. B.--Another Letter +from Mr. B., 204 + +CHAPTER V. + +Stationed at Maulmain.--Attack of Banditti.--Missionary +Operations.--Danger from Fire, 222 + +CHAPTER VI. + +Removal to Tavoy.--Idolatry of the People.--Letter from Mrs. +B.--Baptism of a Karen Disciple.--Some Account of the Karens, 230 + +CHAPTER VII. + +Letter from Mrs. B.--Mr. B's. Visit to the Karens in their +Villages.--Defection of Disciples.--Its Effect on Mr. and Mrs. B., 239 + +CHAPTER VIII. + +Death of their First-born.--Letters from Mrs. B., 248 + +CHAPTER IX. + +Revolt of Tavoy.--Letter from Mr. B., 252 + +CHAPTER X. + +Missionary Labors of Mr. Boardman--His ill Health.--Letter from +Mrs. B.--Death of a second Child.--Letters from Mrs. B., 262 + +CHAPTER XI. + +Letter from Mrs. Boardman.--Illness and Death of George Dana +Boardman, 269 + +CHAPTER XII. + +Letters from Mrs. B.--Her Decision to remain in Burmah.--Her +Missionary Labors.--Her Trials.--Schools, 284 + +CHAPTER XIII. + +Correspondence between Mrs. Boardman and the Superintendent.--Her +Tours among the Karens.--Her Personal Appearance.--Her +Acquaintance with the Burman Language.--Dr. Judson's +Translation of the Bible, 296 + +CHAPTER XIV. + +Mrs. Boardman's Second Marriage.--Removal to Maulmain.--Letter +from Mrs. Judson.--Her Son sent to America.--Her Husband's +Illness, 304 + +CHAPTER XV. + +Illness of her Children.--Death of one of them.--Her Missionary +Labors, and Family Cares.--Her Declining Health.--Poem.--Her +last Illness and Death, 311 + + * * * * * + +PART III. + +THE LIFE OF THE THIRD MRS. JUDSON. + + +CHAPTER I. + +Remarks on her Genius--Her Early Life.--Conversion.-- +Employments--Tales and Poems--Acquaintance with Dr. +Judson.--Marriage.--Voyage to India--Biography of Mrs. S.B. +Judson.--Poem written off St. Helena--Poem on the Birth of an +Infant.--Lines addressed to a Bereaved Friend--Letter to her +Children.--Prayer for dear Papa.--Poem addressed to her +Mother.--Her Account of Dr. Judson's last Illness and Death, 321 + +CHAPTER II. + +Reflections on the Death of Emily C. Judson--The Delicacy of her +Constitution and her Final Malady--Her Sufferings at Rangoon, +and the Good Effect upon her Health of a Removal to +Maulmain--Precarious State of her Health--Her Resignation--Death +of Dr. Judson--Decides to Leave Burmah, and Returns to her +Maternal Home, in Hamilton. N.Y.--Her death--The Traits of her +Character--Domestic Attachments--Her Missionary Life and +Literary Labors, 357 + + + + +PART I. + +LIFE OF MRS. ANN H. JUDSON, + +FIRST WIFE OF + +REV. ADONIRAM JUDSON, D.D. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +MRS. JUDSON'S BIRTH, EDUCATION, AND CONVERSION. + + +When an individual attains a position of eminence which commands the +admiration of the world, we naturally seek to learn his early history, +to ascertain what indications were given in childhood of qualities +destined to shine with such resplendent lustre, and to discover the kind +of discipline which has developed powers so extraordinary. But in no +researches are we more apt to be baffled than in these. Few children are +so remarkable as to make it worth while, even to a parent, to chronicle +their little sayings and doings; and of infant prodigies--though there +is a superstitious belief that most of them die early, which is +expressed in the adage-- + + "Whom the Gods love, die young," + +those that live commonly disappoint the hopes of partial friends, who +watched their infancy with wonder and expectation. + +There are certain qualities, however, which we shall rarely miss even in +the childhood of those who attain eminence by a wise employment of their +talents and acquirements. These are: firmness of purpose, industry and +application, and an ardent, and sometimes enthusiastic temperament. +These qualities were possessed in no common degree by Ann Hasseltine, +the subject of this memoir. She was born in Bradford, Massachusetts, on +the 22d of December, 1789. In a sketch which she has given of her life, +between twelve and seventeen years of age, we find evidence of an +active, ardent, and social disposition, gay and buoyant spirits, +persevering industry, and great decision of character. + +Whatever engaged her attention, whether study or amusement, was pursued +with an ardor that excited the sympathy and love both of her teachers +and schoolfellows. Though little of her writing at this period is +preserved, and the generation that knew her personally is mostly passed +away, yet her whole subsequent career gives evidence of an intellect of +a very high order, carefully cultivated by study and reflection. + +She seems scarcely to have been the subject of serious impressions +before her seventeenth year. Until that time she enjoyed the pleasures +of the world with few misgivings and with a keenness of relish which +led her to think herself, as she says, "the happiest creature on earth." +She adds, "I so far surpassed my friends in gayety and mirth, that some +of them were apprehensive I had but a short time to continue in my +career of folly, and should be suddenly cut off. Thus passed the last +winter of my gay life." + +During the spring of 1806, she began regularly to attend a series of +conference meetings in Bradford, her native town. She soon felt that the +Spirit of God was operating on her mind. Amusements lost their relish; +she felt that she must have a new heart or perish forever; and she often +sought solitude, that she might, unseen by others, weep over her +deplorable state. Soon, however, her fears that her distress might be +noticed by her companions, were merged in her greater terrors of +conscience, and she "was willing the whole universe should know that she +felt herself to be a lost and perishing sinner." Her distress increased +as she became more and more sensible of the depravity of her heart, and +the holiness and sovereignty of God. Her mind rose in rebellion against +a Being, who after all her prayers and tears and self-denial, still +withheld from her the blessing of pardon and peace. She says, "In this +state I longed for annihilation, and if I could have destroyed the +existence of my soul with 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 in +this distressing state." The plan of salvation through a crucified +Redeemer, gradually unfolded itself before her; she began to take +delight in those attributes of God which before had filled her with +abhorrence; and although she did not at first imagine that this was the +new heart for which she had sought so earnestly, yet she was constrained +to commit all her interests for time and eternity unreservedly to that +Saviour, who now seemed infinitely worthy of the service of her whole +existence.[1] + +The change in her from extreme worldliness to a life of piety and prayer +was deep and permanent. Hers was no half-way character. While she was of +the world, she pursued its follies with entire devotion of heart; and +when she once renounced it as unsatisfying, and unworthy of her immortal +aspirations, she renounced it solemnly and finally. Her ardor for +learning did not abate, but instead of being inspired, as formerly by a +thirst for human applause and distinction, it was now prompted by her +sense of responsibility to God for the cultivation of the talents he had +given her, and her desire to make herself increasingly useful. In the +sketch referred to she remarks, "I attended my studies in school with +far different feelings and different motives from what I had ever done +before. I felt my obligation to improve all I had to the glory of God; +and since he in his providence had favored me with advantages for +improving my mind, I felt that I should be like the slothful servant if +I 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." "Such was my thirst for religious +knowledge, that I frequently spent a great part of the night in reading +religious books." A friend says of her: "She thirsted for the knowledge +of gospel truth in all its relations and dependencies. Besides the daily +study of the scripture with Guise, Orton, and Scott before her, she +perused with deep interest the works of Edwards, Hopkins, Belamy, +Doddridge, &c. With Edwards on Redemption, she was instructed, +quickened, strengthened. Well do I remember the elevated smile that +beamed on her countenance when she first spoke to me of its precious +contents. When reading scripture, sermons, or other works, if she met +with anything dark or intricate, she would mark the passage, and beg +the first clergyman who called at her father's to elucidate and explain +it." + +How evidently to us, though unconsciously to herself, was her Heavenly +Father thus fitting her for the work he was preparing for her. Had she +known that she was to spend her days in instructing bigoted and captious +idolaters in religious knowledge, she could not have trained herself for +the task more wisely than she was thus led to do. + +While, under the guidance of the Spirit of truth, she was thus +cultivating her intellect, that same Spirit was also sanctifying and +purifying her heart. She loathed sin both in herself and others, and +strove to avoid it, not from the fear of hell, but from fear of +displeasing her Father in heaven. + +In one place she writes: "Were it left to myself 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." + +On the fourteenth of August, 1806, she made a public profession of +religion, and united with the Congregational church at Bradford, being +in her seventeenth year. + +Very early in her religious life she became sensible that if unusual +advantages for acquiring knowledge had fallen to her lot, she was the +more bound to use her talents and acquirements for the benefit of others +less favored than herself. Actuated by such motives, she opened a small +school in her native place, and subsequently taught in several +neighboring villages. Her example in this respect is surely worthy of +imitation. Perhaps no person is more admirable than a young lady fitted +like Miss Hasseltine by a cultivated mind and engaging manners to shine +in society, who having the choice between a life of ease and one of +personal exertion, chooses voluntarily, or only in obedience to the +dictates of conscience, the weary and self-denying path of the teacher. +And probably such a course would oftener be chosen, were young persons +aware of the unquestionable fact, that the school in which we make the +most solid and rapid improvement, is that in which we teach others. + +An extract from her journal will sustain what we have said of her +conscientiousness and purity of motive in endeavoring to instruct the +young: + +"_May 12, 1809._--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 +in such a way as to be useful to my fellow-creatures. As Providence has +placed me in a situation in life where I have an opportunity of getting +as good an education as I desire, I feel it would be highly criminal in +me not to improve it. I feel, also, that it would be equally criminal to +desire to be well educated and accomplished, 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 months, I felt very unqualified to have the +charge of little immortals; but the hope of doing them good by +endeavoring 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. O +may I have grace to be faithful in instructing these children in such a +way as shall be pleasing to my heavenly Father." + +Such being the principles by which she was actuated in commencing the +work of instruction, we cannot doubt that her efforts _to be useful_ +were blessed not only by the temporal, but the spiritual advancement of +her pupils, some of whom may appear, with children from distant Burmah, +as crowns of her rejoicing in the last great day. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 1: She thus describes more particularly the exercises of her +mind, in an entry in her Journal a year later. + +"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 stayed +where I then was I should perish; and I could but perish if I threw +myself on the mercy of Christ. Then came light, and relief, and comfort, +such as I never knew before."] + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +HER MARRIAGE, AND VOYAGE TO INDIA. + + +In 1810, the calm current of Miss Hasseltine's life was disturbed by +circumstances which were to change all her prospects, and color her +whole future destiny. From the quiet and seclusion of her New England +home, she was called to go to the ends of the earth, on a mission of +mercy to the dark browed and darker minded heathen. + +It is perhaps impossible for us to realize now what was then the +magnitude of such an enterprise. Our wonderful facilities for +intercourse with the most distant nations, and the consequent vast +amount of travel, were entirely unknown forty years ago. A journey of +two hundred miles then involved greater perplexity and required nearly +as much preparation, and was certainly attended with more fatigue than a +voyage to England at the present day. The subject of evangelizing the +heathen in foreign countries had scarcely received any attention in +Europe, and in this country there was not even a Missionary Society. +That a female should renounce the refinements of her enlightened and +Christian home, and go thousands of miles across unknown oceans + + "to the farthest verge + Of the green earth, to distant barbarous climes," + +to spend her life in an unhealthy climate, among a race whose language +was strange to her ear, whose customs were revolting to her delicacy, +and who might moreover make her a speedy victim to her zeal in their +behalf,--a thing so common now as to excite no surprise and little +interest--was then hardly deemed possible, if indeed, the idea of it +entered the imagination. To decide the question of such an undertaking +as this, as well as another question affecting her individual happiness +through life, was Miss Hasseltine now summoned. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Judson, a graduate of Brown University, "an ardent and aspiring +scholar," was one of four or five young men in the then newly founded +Theological Seminary at Andover, whose minds had become deeply impressed +with the wants of the heathen, and a desire to go and labor among them. +By their earnestness and perseverance, they so far awakened an interest +in their project, that a Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions was +appointed, and the young men were set apart as missionaries. During the +two years in which Mr. Judson and his associates were employed in +efforts to accomplish this result, he had formed an acquaintance with +Miss Hasseltine, and made her an offer of his hand. That he had no wish +to blind her to the extent of the sacrifices she would make in accepting +him, his manly and eloquent letter to her father, asking his daughter in +marriage, abundantly proves. He says: + +"I have now to ask whether you can consent to part with your daughter +early next spring, to see her no more in this world; whether you can +consent to her departure for a heathen land, and her subjection to the +hardships and sufferings of a missionary life; whether you can consent +to her exposure to the dangers of the ocean; to the fatal influence of +the southern climate of India; to every kind of want and distress; to +degradation, insult, persecution, and perhaps a violent death? Can you +consent to all this for the sake of Him who left his heavenly home, and +died for her and for you; for the sake of perishing immortal souls; for +the sake of Zion and the glory of God? Can you consent to all this in +hope of soon meeting your daughter in the world of glory, with a crown +of righteousness, brightened by the acclamations of praise which shall +redound to her Saviour from heathens saved, through her means, from +eternal woe and despair?" + +The writer of this letter, who, after nearly forty years of missionary +labor in which he endured all and more than all he has thus almost +prophetically described, has just gone to join "the noble army of +martyrs" and "those who came out of great tribulation," in his final +home,--as he looks back on the hour when he thus gave up his life and +what was more precious than life to the service of those souls, dear as +he believed to the Redeemer, though perishing for lack of vision,--with +what deep and serene joy must he contemplate the sacrifice! And she-- + + "Not lost, but gone before," + +who was there to meet and welcome him to + + "happier bowers than Eden knew," + +where they rest from their labors, does she now regret that to his +solemn appeal, she answered, "I will go?" + +Mr. and Mrs. Judson were married at Bradford on the fifth of February, +1812, and on the nineteenth of the same month embarked on the brig +Caravan, bound for Calcutta. Mr. and Mrs. Newell, also missionaries +sailed in the same vessel. We will here give some extracts from letters +written by Mrs. Judson to her friends at home, dated "at sea." + +To her sister she writes, "I find Mr. Judson one of the kindest, most +faithful and affectionate of husbands. His conversation frequently +dissipates the gloomy clouds of spiritual darkness which hang over my +mind and brightens my hope of a happy eternity. I hope God will make us +instrumental of preparing each other for usefulness in this world, and +greater happiness in a future world." + +"_June 16_.--Day before yesterday, we came in sight of land, after +having been out only one hundred and twelve days. We could distinguish +nothing but the lowering mountains of Golconda. Yesterday we were nearer +land ... and the scene was truly delightful, reminding me of the +descriptions I have read of the fertile shores of India--the groves of +orange and palm trees. Yesterday we saw two vessels.... You have no idea +how interesting the sight--a vessel at the side of us, so near we could +hear the captain speak--for he was the first person we have heard speak +since we sailed, except what belong to our ship. + +"_Tuesday_.--Last night was the most dangerous, and to me, by far the +most unpleasant we have had.... To-day the scene is truly delightful. We +are sailing up the river Hoogly, a branch of the Ganges, and so near the +land that we can distinctly discover objects. On one side of us are the +Sunderbunds, (islands at the mouth of the Ganges.) The smell which +proceeds from them is fragrant beyond description. + +"_Wednesday_.--On each side of the Hoogly are the Hindoo cottages, as +thick together as the houses in our seaports. They are very small, and +in the form of hay-stacks, without either chimneys or windows. They are +situated in the midst of trees which hang over them and appear truly +romantic. The grass and fields of rice are perfectly green, and herds of +cattle are everywhere feeding on the banks of the river, and the natives +are scattered about, ... some fishing, some driving the team, and some +sitting indolently on the bank of the river. The pagodas we have passed +are much handsomer and larger than the houses. There are many English +seats near the shore.... Oh, what reason we have to be thankful for so +pleasant and prosperous a voyage.... + +"Well, sister, we are safe in Calcutta harbor, and almost stunned with +the noise of the natives. Mr. Judson has gone on shore to find a place +for us to go. The 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--their white garments hanging +loosely over their shoulders. But I have not time to describe anything +at present. + +"_Thursday_.--Harriet and I are yet on board the vessel, and have not +been on land. Mr. Judson has not yet gained permission for us to live in +the country. He and Mr. Newell are gone again to-day, and what will be +their success I know not. The East India Company are violently opposed +to missions, and have barely given permission to their own countrymen to +settle here as preachers. We have nothing to expect from man, and +everything from God.... If God has anything for us to do here, he will +doubtless open a door for our entrance, _if not he will send us to some +other place_." + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +HER ARRIVAL AT CALCUTTA.--DIFFICULTIES WITH THE BENGAL +GOVERNMENT.--VOYAGE TO THE ISLE OF FRANCE.--DEATH OF MRS. +NEWELL.--CHANGE OF SENTIMENTS.--VOYAGE TO RANGOON. + + +Mr. and Mrs. Judson landed at Calcutta on the 18th of June, 1812, and +were hospitably received by the venerable Dr. Carey, who immediately +conducted them to his home in Serampore. There they found a delightful +mission family, consisting of Messrs. Carey Marshman and Ward, with +their wives and children who welcomed them most cordially, and invited +them to remain until the arrival of their brother missionaries. Of the +arrangements in this truly Christian family--the schools, the religious +exercises, the cultivation of the gardens belonging to the +establishment, and the instruction communicated to the natives, they +express themselves in the highest terms of eulogy. + +Hitherto the course of our missionaries in their enterprise had indeed +run smooth, and they had begun to flatter themselves that they had +over-estimated the trials and dangers of the life they had chosen; but +sad reverses awaited them. They had been in Serampore but ten days, +when Messrs. Judson and Newell were summoned to Calcutta, where an order +from government was read to them, commanding them immediately to leave +the country, and return to America. The British East India Company were +at that time unfriendly to missions, and especially intolerant to +missionaries from America. The idea of returning, without effecting the +object for which they had left their native land, was too painful to be +endured by the missionaries, and they immediately attempted to gain +permission to go to some country not under the company's +jurisdiction.--Burmah, the field to which they had been assigned by +their brethren at home, seemed, for various reasons, utterly +inaccessible; but they finally got leave to take passage in a ship bound +for the Isle of France. The vessel would, however, accommodate but two +passengers, and the health of Mrs. Newell requiring that she should be +in a place of quiet, it was agreed that she and her husband should +embark in it. For three months the rest of their company remained in +Calcutta, watched with jealousy by the British Government, but unable to +find a vessel to convey them away. At length they had peremptory orders +to embark in a vessel bound to England. All hope of escape seemed now +cut off, when Mr. Judson accidentally learned that a ship was about +sailing for the Isle of France. They applied for a passport to go on +board of her, but were refused. They informed the captain of the vessel +of their circumstances, and were allowed to go on board without a pass. +They had got but a few miles down the river, however, when a government +despatch overtook them, commanding the pilot to conduct the ship no +further, as there were persons on board who had been ordered to England. + +By advice of the captain, the missionaries left the ship, and went on +shore, while the pilot wrote a certificate that no such persons were on +board. The captain being angry at the detention of his vessel, ordered +them to take their baggage from it immediately, but at length consented +to let it remain on board until he should reach a tavern sixteen miles +further down the river. Mrs. Judson also remained in the ship until it +came opposite the tavern, "where," she says, "the pilot kindly lent me +his boat and a 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 had sent after the +vessel would overtake it, and if it did, whether it would ever return +with our baggage; neither did I know where Mr. Judson was, or when he +would come, or with what treatment I should meet at the tavern. I +thought of _home_ and said to myself, _These are some of the trials +attendant upon a missionary life, and which I have anticipated._ In a +few hours Mr. J. arrived, and toward night our baggage." + +After two or three days of great perplexity and distress, and when they +had given up all hope of being able to proceed to the Isle of France, +they unexpectedly received from an unknown friend a magistrate's _pass_ +to go on board the Creole, the vessel they had left. Their only +difficulty now was that she had probably got out to sea, as it was three +days since they had left her. However they hastened down the river +seventy miles, to Saugur, where, among many ships at anchor, they had +the inexpressible happiness to find the Creole, on which they embarked +for the Isle of France, their first destination. + +Their dangers on the passage to the Isle of France were great, the +vessel being old and leaky; and when they reached there, they found +little encouragement to remain. While on the island, Mrs. J. had a +severe attack of illness, as well as much depression of spirits from the +uncertainties of their situation. After much deliberation they +determined to establish themselves on an island near Malacca, to reach +which they must first go to Madras, and they accordingly sailed for that +place. War having broken out between England and America, the hostility +of the East India Directors to American missionaries was of course much +increased, so that it would be impossible for them to make any stop at +all in Madras, without incurring the danger of being sent back to +America. What, then, was their distress on their arrival there, to find +no ship bound for the island they wished to visit! Their way seemed +entirely hedged up, for the only vessel in Madras harbor ready for sea, +was destined to Burmah, a country pronounced by all their friends in +India, utterly inaccessible. + +In her journal, at this time, Mrs. J. writes: "Oh, our heavenly Father, +direct us aught! Where wilt thou have us to go? What wilt thou have us +to do? Our only hope is in thee, and to thee only do we look for +protection. Oh, let this mission live before thee!" "To-morrow," she +adds, at a somewhat later date, "we expect to embark for Rangoon, (in +Burmah.) Adieu to polished, refined, Christian society. Our lot is not +cast among you, but among pagans, among barbarians, whose tender mercies +are cruel. Indeed, we voluntarily forsake 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!" + +Everything combined to render the passage to Rangoon unpleasant and +perilous;--sickness, threatened shipwreck, and the want of all +comforts;--but at length on the 14th of July, 1813, about eighteen +months from the time they left Salem, in Massachusetts, they set their +'weary, wandering feet' on that shore which was to be their future home. + +Among the depressing circumstances that had occurred in this gloomy +period, not the least painful was the death of Mrs. Judson's early +friend, and companion in her eastern voyage, Mrs. Harriet Newell. Of +less mental and physical vigor than Mrs. Judson, this amiable and ardent +Christian had gladly relinquished all other objects in life, for that of +sharing the privations and soothing the cares of a husband to whom she +was tenderly attached, in his labors among the heathen. But this +privilege was denied her; she was not even permitted to reach a scene of +missionary labor. Her heart-broken husband was compelled to bury her in +a far distant isle of the ocean, and finish his short earthly course +alone. But he lived to see the grave of that young martyr missionary +visited by many pilgrim feet, and her name embalmed in many admiring +hearts. + +How keenly Mrs. Judson felt her loss, may be learned from a letter +written from the Isle of France, whither she and her husband went on +being driven from Calcutta:--"Have at last arrived in port; but oh, what +news, what distressing news! Harriet is dead. Harriet, my dear friend, +my earliest associate in the mission, is no more. Oh death, could not +this wide world afford thee victims enough, but thou must enter the +family of a solitary few whose comfort and happiness depended so much on +the society of each other? Could not this infant mission be shielded +from thy shafts!" "But be still, my heart, and know that God has done +it. Just and true are thy ways, oh thou King of saints!" + +Another heavy trial, was the separation of herself and husband from the +church in which they were both educated, from the missionary association +on which they depended for support, and from the sympathies of those +Christians in their native land who had hitherto given them the most +cordial encouragement in their enterprise. This separation was in +consequence of a change in their sentiments in regard to baptism. So +liberal has the church become at this day, that all now look upon this +change as having decidedly advanced the cause of missions by enlisting a +large and respectable body of Christians in this country, not hitherto +engaged in it. But in 1813, a step like this on the part of +beneficiaries of the Board, could not but be regarded with much disfavor +and prejudice, render those who had taken it highly unpopular, and even +subject their motives to unworthy imputations. Whatever may be thought +of the soundness of their new views, therefore, there is not the shadow +of a reason to doubt their conscientiousness in adopting them. That they +did it in the face of every worldly motive, their letters and journals +abundantly prove. Mrs. Judson writes: "It is extremely trying to reflect +on the consequences of our becoming Baptists. 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 contempt, and to be cast off by many of our American +friends--forfeit the character we have in our native land, and probably +have to labor for our own support wherever we are stationed." "These +things are very trying to us, and cause our hearts to bleed for +anguish--we feel that we have no home in this world, and no friend but +each other." "A renunciation of our former sentiments has caused us more +pain than anything which ever happened to us through our lives." + +Thus "perplexed but not in despair, cast down but not destroyed," they +reached Rangoon, then the capital of the Burman Empire, and established +themselves in what they regarded as their future home. Here, "remote, +unfriended" and solitary--"reft of every stay but Heaven"--they were +destined to pass nearly two years, before their hearts could be cheered +by the intelligence from America, of the general interest awakened for +them there in the denomination with which they had connected themselves; +and the formation of a Baptist Board of Missions, which had appointed +them its Missionaries. Of one thing, however, they must have felt sure, +that they were conducted there by the special providence of God. The +honor of commencing the Burman Mission, says Prof. Gammell, "is to be +ascribed rather to the Divine Head of the Church, than to any leading +movement or agency of the Baptist denomination. The way was prepared and +the field was opened by God alone, and it only remained for true-hearted +laborers to enter in and prosecute the noble work to which they had been +summoned." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +DESCRIPTION OF BURMAH.--ITS BOUNDARIES, RIVERS, CLIMATE, SOIL, FRUITS +AND FLOWERS.--BURMAN PEOPLE.--THEIR DRESS, HOUSES, FOOD, GOVERNMENT AND +RELIGION. + + +The Burman Empire being thus the place to which the feet of the first +"bringers of good tidings" from America were so signally directed, and +having been now, for nearly forty years, missionary ground of the most +interesting character, it is proper to pause here and give something +more than a passing glance at its natural features, its government and +religion, and the character of its population. For information on these +points we are indebted chiefly to the researches of the Rev. Howard +Malcom. + +Burmah, or the Burman Empire, lies between the Salwen river on the east, +and the Burrampooter on the northwest and north, while its western and +southern shores are washed by the great bay of Bengal, which separates +it from the peninsula of Hindustan. Besides the noble rivers which form +its eastern and north-western boundaries, its entire length from north +to south is traversed by the Irrawaddy, which after a course of 1200 +miles, empties by many mouths into the Bay of Bengal. Its territory is +generally so much elevated above the level of the sea, that it enjoys, +though in the torrid zone, a comparatively salubrious and temperate +climate. The heat is rarely excessive; while winter in our sense of the +word, is unknown. + +"The general features of a country so extensive are, of course, widely +diversified. It may be said of it as a whole, in the language of Dr. +Hamilton, that in fertility, beauty and grandeur of scenery, and in the +variety, value, and elegance of its natural productions, it is equalled +by few on earth." + +In the parts of the country lying near the sea there are two seasons, +the wet and the dry. About the 10th of May showers commence, and +increase in frequency, until, in the latter part of June, it begins to +rain almost daily, and this continues until the middle of September. +Heavy rains then cease, but showers continue, diminishing in frequency +until the middle of October, when "the air is cool, the country verdant, +fruits innumerable, and everything in nature gives delight." Even in the +rainy season, the sun shines out a part of the day, so that the rankest +vegetation covers everything; even walls and buildings, unless smoothly +coated with plaster, are not exempt from grass and weeds. Of the climate +during the warmest portion of the year, Dr. Malcom thus writes: "I have +now passed the ordeal of the entire hot season, and of nothing am I +more convinced, both from experience and observation, than that the +climate is as salubrious and pleasant as any other in the world. I have +suffered much more from heat in Italy, and even in Philadelphia, than I +have ever done here; and have never found a moment when I could not be +perfectly comfortable by sitting still. To go abroad at mid-day, is, +however, for any but natives, eminently hazardous." + +The soil, in the maritime provinces, is represented as unsurpassed in +fertility, and under the imperfect cultivation of the natives, yields +from eighty to a hundred fold, and sometimes more. + +The heights are crowned with forests, while the low lands are jungle, +that is, "a region of many trees, but scattered; with much undergrowth;" +and the haunt of tigers and other wild animals. + +The fruit-trees are numerous, and of names and kinds unknown in America. +There is found the mangosteen, with a fruit said by travellers to be the +most delicious in the world; the noble mango, growing to the height of +one hundred feet, and of vast diameter, and bearing as great a variety +of delicious fruit as the apple-tree does with us; the cocoa-nut, whose +fruit we are acquainted with, and whose husk is formed into excellent +cordage; the plantain, that invaluable blessing to the natives of the +torrid zone, as it supplies them bread without much labor; a +circumstance of importance in countries where hard labor is oppressive +by reason of heat; the splendid tamarind, with wide-spreading limbs, and +a dense foliage of vivid green, among which appear clusters of beautiful +yellow flowers, delicately veined with red, and the long shining pods +which contain the fruit; the custard-apple, with its pulpy fruit +contained in a husk resembling the pineapple in shape; and the curious +palmyra, whose leaves furnish the natives with paper, while its trunk +yields a liquor much prized by them as drink, and capable of being +boiled down into sugar, like the juice of our maple. + +Hundreds of other trees might be named, many valuable for their fruit, +others for their timber, and some for both. Most of the trees are +evergreen, that is, few of them shed their leaves annually and at once; +but a constant succession of leaves makes the forest always verdant. + +Besides the fruits which grow upon trees, there is a variety of others +such as berries, tomatoes, pineapples, &c.; and among roots are found +the ginger, licorice, arrow-root, sweet-potatoe, Irish potatoe, +asparagus, ground-nut, &c. The country abounds in flowers of most +splendid colors, but generally deficient in fragrance; though some have +a fine perfume. + +The favorite food of the country being rice, this is, of course, the +grain most extensively cultivated. There are no _farms_ as with us; +cultivators of the soil always reside in villages, for mutual protection +against wild beasts and robbers. Each family cultivates a patch of the +neighboring jungle, and brings the produce into the village, where the +cattle are also brought for security. Besides rice, they cultivate +wheat, Indian-corn, sugar-cane, millet and indigo; but generally in a +slovenly and unskilful manner. In the dry season, the land is watered by +artificial means, some of which are quite ingenious. + +Of animals there is, of course, a vast variety, one of the most useful +of which is the buffalo, which is used to draw their carriages, as well +as to perform the labor that the ox does with us. Elephants are the +property of the king, but great men are allowed to keep them. + +The birds in Burmah, though of gay plumage, have little melody in their +song; splendid as they are, we would scarce exchange for them our +cheerful robin and merry bobolink. + +Reptiles and insects, though numerous, are not so troublesome or so +venomous as in many parts of the torrid zone. The white ant is perhaps +as destructive as any other insect, and the greatest precaution hardly +preserves one from its intrusion. + +The Burmans are, as a race, superior to the Hindoos, being more +athletic and vigorous, and more lively and industrious. They are less +tall than Americans, their complexions dark, their noses flat, and their +lips thick and full. The hair is very abundant, black and glossy, but +generally rather coarse. "Men tie it in a knot on the _top_ of the head, +and intertwine it with the turban. Women turn it all back, and without a +comb, form it into a graceful knot _behind_, frequently adding chaplets +of fragrant natural flowers strung on a thread. Both sexes take great +pains with their hair, frequently washing it with a substance which has +the properties of soap, and keeping it anointed with sweet oil." + +The custom of blacking the teeth is almost universal. When asked the +reason of this custom, the answer is, "What! should we have white teeth +like a dog or a monkey?" + +Smoking and chewing are also universal. Malcom says, "I have seen little +creatures of two or three years, stark naked, tottering about with a +lighted cigar in their mouth." Tobacco is not used alone for these +purposes, but mixed with several other substances. + +The dress of the men is a cotton cloth about four and a half yards long, +covering, when the man is not at work, nearly the whole body in a +graceful manner. A jacket, with sleeves generally of white muslin but +often of broadcloth or velvet, is sometimes added, especially among the +higher classes. On the feet, when dressed, are worn sandals of wood or +cowhide, covered with cloth, and held on by straps, one of which passes +over the instep, the other over the great toe. On entering a house, +these are always left at the door. + +Women wear a _temine_, or petticoat, of cotton or silk, lined with +muslin, extending from the arm-pits to the ankles. Over this is +sometimes worn a jacket, open in front with close, long sleeves. Both +sexes wear ornaments in the ears. Men wear mustachios, but pluck out the +beard with tweezers. Women, in order to render their complexions more +fair, rub over the face a delicate yellow powder; and they occasionally +stain the nails of the fingers and toes with a scarlet pigment. All +ranks are exceedingly fond of flowers, and display great taste in +arranging them. + +The houses are made of timbers, or bamboos, set in the earth, with +lighter pieces fastened transversely. The sides are covered, some with +mats, more or less substantial and costly, others with thatch, fastened +with split ratans. The roof is very ingeniously made and fastened on, +and is a perfect security against wind and rain. The floor is of split +cane, elevated a few feet from the earth, which secures ventilation and +cleanliness. The windows and doors are of mat, strengthened with a frame +of bamboo, and strongly fastened at the top. When open they are propped +up with a bamboo, and form a shade. Of course, there are no chimneys. +Cooking is done on a shallow box a yard square, filled with earth. + +We must not judge of the architectural skill of the people by their +private houses. A Burman conceals his wealth with as much care as we +exhibit ours, for a display of it only subjects him to extortion from +the officers of government. Malcom describes some of their zayats, +pagodas and bridges, especially in and near Ava, as truly noble. + +Rice may be said to be the universal food. It is generally eaten with a +nice curry, and sauces of various vegetables are added. Wheat is not +made into bread by the natives, but boiled like rice. Its name in Burmah +is "foreigner's rice," which shows it is not native to the country. + + * * * * * + +The natural good traits of the Burman character are almost rendered +nugatory by their religion, and the oppressive nature of their +government. The latter is an absolute despotism. The king has a nominal +council with whom he may advise, but whose advice he may, if he chooses, +treat with utter contempt. It is not, however, the direct oppression of +the monarch that causes most suffering among his subjects. It is rather +that of the inferior officers of government whose rapacity and +extortion renders property, liberty, and life itself insecure. Deceit, +fraud and lying are the natural, if not necessary consequences of a +system which leaves the people entirely at the mercy of those who bear +rule over them. + +The religion is Buddhism, one of the most ancient and wide-spread +superstitions existing on the face of the earth. Its sacred Divinity, or +Buddh, is Gaudama, who has passed into a state of eternal and +unconscious repose, which they consider the summit of felicity; but +which seems to us to differ little from annihilation. Images of this god +are the chief objects of worship. These are found in every house, and +are enshrined in pagodas and temples, and in sacred caves which appear +to have been used from time immemorial for religious purposes. The +wealth and labor bestowed on the latter show how great the population +must have been in former ages. Dr. Malcom describes one cave on the +Salwen, which is wholly filled with images of every size, while the +whole face of the mountain for ninety feet above the cave is incrusted +with them. "On every jutting crag stands some marble image covered with +gold, and spreading its uncouth proportions to the setting sun. Every +recess is converted into shrines for others. But imposing as is this +spectacle, it shrinks into insignificance compared with the scene +presented on entering the cavern itself. It is of vast size, and needs +no human art to render it sublime. The eye is confused and the heart +appalled at the prodigious exhibition of infatuation and folly. +Everywhere--on the floor, over head and on every jutting point, are +crowded together images of Gaudama--the offerings of successive ages. A +ship of five hundred tons could not carry away the half of them." + +Pagodas are innumerable. In the inhabited parts there is scarcely a +peak, bank, or swelling hill, uncrowned by one of these structures. In +general, they are almost solid, without door or window, and contain some +supposed relic of Gaudama. + +The religious system of the Burmans contains many excellent moral +precepts and maxims, which, however being without sanction or example, +are utterly powerless to mould the character of the people to wisdom or +virtue. + +A curious feature of Buddhism is, that one of the highest motives it +presents to its followers is the "obtaining of merit." Merit is obtained +by avoiding sins, such as theft, lying, intoxication, and the like; and +by practising virtues and doing good works. The most meritorious of all +good works is to make an idol; the next to build a pagoda. It confers +high merit, also, to build a zayat, to transcribe the sacred books, to +erect any useful public edifice, to dig public wells, or to plant shade +or fruit-trees by the wayside. If they give alms, or treat animals +kindly, or repeat prayers, or do any other good deed, they do it +entirely with this mercenary view of obtaining merit. This "merit" is +not so much to procure them happiness in another world, as to secure +them from suffering in their future transmigrations in this; for they +believe that the soul of one who dies without having laid up any merit, +will have to pass into the body of some mean reptile or insect, and from +that to another, through hundreds of changes, perhaps, before it will be +allowed again to take the form of man. + +This reliance on 'merit,' and certainty of obtaining it through +prescribed methods, fosters their conceit, so that ignorant and debased +as they are, "there is scarcely a nation more offensively proud." It +also renders them entirely incapable of doing or appreciating a +disinterested action, or of feeling such a sentiment as gratitude. If +you do them a favor, they suppose you do it to obtain merit for +yourself, and of course feel no obligation to you; the simple phrase, "I +thank you," is unknown in their language. + +Like the ancient Romans, the Burmans believe in dreams, omens, and +unlucky days; observe the flight and feeding of fowls, the howl of dogs, +and the aspect of the stars; they regard the lines in the hand, the +knots in trees, and a thousand other fortuitous circumstances, and by +these allow their actions to be governed. + +The priesthood in Burmah is arranged into a regular hierarchy. The +highest functionary is a kind of archbishop, who presides over all the +other priests in the empire, and appoints the presidents of the +monasteries. He resides at the imperial court, where he has a high rank, +and is considered one of the greatest men in the kingdom. Below him are +various ranks of priests, each having his appointed sphere and +appropriate duties, and all supported by the so-called _voluntary_ +contributions of the people. The number of priests is exceedingly great, +and their sway over the minds of the people almost unlimited. + +"But great and potent as the priests of Buddh are," says a writer in the +Foreign Quarterly Review, "there is a kind of sacred personage still +greater than the highest of them, and next in rank to the sovereign; +this is no other than that diseased animal, the White Elephant, far more +highly venerated here than in Siam. The creature is supposed by the +Burmans to lodge within its carcass a blessed soul of some human being, +which has arrived at the last stage of the many millions of +transmigrations it was doomed to undergo, and which, when it escapes, +will be absorbed into the essence of the Deity." This most sacred +personage has a regular cabinet composed of a prime minister, secretary +of state, transmitter of intelligence, &c., possesses estates in various +parts of the country, and receives handsome presents from foreign +ambassadors. His residence is contiguous to the royal palace, and +connected with it by a long open gallery, at the further end of which a +curtain of black velvet embossed with gold, conceals his august person +from vulgar eyes. His dwelling is a lofty hall splendidly gilded, and +supported by sixty-four pillars, to four of which he is chained with +massive silver chains. His bed is a thick mattress, covered with blue +cloth, over which is a softer one of crimson silk. His trappings are +magnificent, being gold, studded with diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and +other precious stones; his betel-box, _spittoon_, and the vessel out of +which he feeds, are of gold inlaid with precious stones. His attendants, +according to Hamilton, from whom we take a part of this description, +amount to over a thousand persons. + +"Buddhism in its moral precepts is perhaps the best religion ever +invented by man. The difficulty is, its entire basis is false. It is a +religion of Atheism. Instead of a Heavenly Father forgiving sin, and +filial service from a pure heart, as the effect of love--it presents +nothing to love, for its Deity is dead; nothing as the ultimate object +of action but self; and nothing for man's highest and holiest ambition +but annihilation." + +"Their doctrine of merit, leaves no place for holiness, and destroys +gratitude either to God or man." It also ministers to the grossest +pride, for the very fact of his being _now a man_, assures the Buddhist +that in numberless former unremembered transmigrations, he must have +acquired incalculable merit, or he would not now occupy so distinguished +a rank in the scale of being. + +Their system of balancing evil with good, reduces all sin to a thing of +little importance. "If any man sin" in Burmah, his religion tells him of +no "advocate with the Father" on whose altar he may lay the tribute of a +believing, penitent, obedient and grateful heart; but instead, it tells +him he may repeat a form of words, he may feed a priest, he may build a +pagoda, he may carve an idol, and thus balance his iniquity with merit. +If any man suffer in Burmah, his religion points him to no place where +"the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest," and where +"God himself will wipe away all tears from all faces;" but it dictates a +proud submission to unalterable fate, and flatters him that his +sufferings here may purchase immunity from torment in some unknown +future existence; and finally if any man die, in Burmah, his religion +tells him of no Saviour who has "passed through the grave and blessed +the bed," and "swallowed up death in victory;" but it threatens +degradation, perhaps into a soulless brute; or at best, a place of +expiatory misery;--in short, "living or dying," the Burman may be said +emphatically to be "without hope, and without God in the world." + +Such was the stupendous system of superstition and ignorance, which two +feeble missionaries armed like David when he met the Philistine with +"trust in the Lord his God," ventured to attack, and hoped to subdue. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +RANGOON; LETTERS FROM MRS. JUDSON. + + +Rangoon, one of the chief seaports of the Burman Empire, situated on one +of the numerous mouths of the Irrawaddy, and having a splendid harbor, +is yet one of the meanest, and most uninteresting cities that can well +be imagined. It is situated in a flat, marshy plain, and is merely a +vast collection of bamboo huts, with narrow streets, and here and there +an ugly building of brick or wood, and would give a stranger a most +unfavorable impression of the noble country to which it is the entrance. + +On their arrival at this city, Mr. and Mrs. Judson took up their abode +in a deserted mission-house just outside the wall, which had formerly +been occupied by some Baptist missionaries from Serampore. The house was +large and not unsuited to the climate, but unfinished and comfortless. +However, it had a garden full of flowers and fruit-trees, and the +scenery around it was rural and pleasant. Here they found one Christian +female, the only person remaining of the former mission family, and she +was a native of the country. Mrs. Judson's peculiar trials and +encouragements at this time will be best learned by extracts from her +letters and journal. + +_July 30, 1813_, she writes: "We felt very gloomy and dejected the first +night we arrived, in view of our prospects; but we were enabled to lean +on God, and to feel that he was able to support us under the most +discouraging circumstances. + +"The next morning I prepared to go on shore, but hardly knew how I +should get to Mr. Carey's house; it was, however, concluded that I +should be carried in an arm-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 numbers of the +natives gathered round, having seldom seen an English female. Being sick +and weak, I held my head down, which induced many of the native females +to come very near, and look under my bonnet. At this I looked up and +smiled, on which they set up a loud laugh. They again took me up to +carry, and the multitude of natives gave a shout which much diverted us. +They next carried me to a place they call the custom-house. It was a +small open shed, in which were seated on mats, several natives, who were +the custom-house officers. After searching Mr. Judson very closely, +they asked liberty for a native female to search me, to which I readily +consented. I was then brought to the mission-house, where I have nearly +recovered my health." + +"_July 22._--It is now a week since we arrived here. My health is quite +restored, and I feel much more contented and happy than I ever expected +to be in such a situation. I think I enjoy the promises of God in a +higher degree than ever before, and have attained more true peace of +mind and trust in the Saviour. When I look back to my late situation in +that wretched old vessel, without any accommodations--scarcely the +necessaries of life--no physician--no female attendants--so weak that I +could not move--I hope I am deeply sensible of the kind care of my +heavenly Father in carrying me safely through the peculiar dangers of +the voyage, and giving me once more a resting-place on land. + +"Still, were it not for the support we derive from the gospel of Jesus, +we should be ready to sink down in despondency in view of the dark and +gloomy scenes around us. But when we recollect that Jesus has commanded +his disciples to carry the gospel to the heathen, and promised to be +with them to the end of the world; that God has promised to give the +heathen to his Son for an inheritance, we are encouraged to make a +beginning, though in the midst of discouragement, and leave it to Him to +grant success in his own time and way." + +"I find here no female friends with whom I can unite in social prayer, +nor even one with whom I can converse. I have, indeed, no society at all +except that of Mr. Judson, yet I feel happy in thinking that I gave up +this source of pleasure, as well as most others, for the sake of the +poor heathen." + +In her journal we find the following sentiment: "Though we find +ourselves almost destitute of all those sources of enjoyment to which we +have been accustomed, and are in the midst of a people who are at +present almost destitute on account of the scarcity of provisions[2]; +though we are exposed to robbers by night and invaders by day, yet we +both unite in saying that we never were happier, never more contented in +any situation than the present. We feel that this is the post to which +God hath appointed us; that we are in the path of duty; and though +surrounded with danger and death, we feel that God can with infinite +ease, preserve and support us under the most heavy sufferings. + +"Oh, if it may please the dear Redeemer to make me instrumental of +leading some of the females of Burmah to a saving acquaintance with Him, +my great object will be accomplished, my highest desires gratified, I +shall rejoice to have relinquished my comforts, my country and my home." +"Oh Lord, here I am; thou hast brought me to this heathen land, and +given me desires to labor for thee. Do with me what pleaseth thee. Make +me useful or not as seemeth good in thy sight. But oh, let my soul live +before thee; let me serve none but thee; let me have no object in life +but the promotion of thy glory." + +"_Aug. 15._--I have begun to study the language. Find it very hard and +difficult, having none of the usual helps in acquiring a language, +except a small part of a grammar, and six chapters of St. Matthew's +Gospel by Mr. Carey, now at Ava." + +"_Aug. 28._--Have been writing letters this week to my dear friends in +America. Found that a recollection of former enjoyments in my own native +country, made my situation here appear less tolerable. The thought that +I had parents, sisters, and beloved friends still in existence, and at +such a distance that it was impossible to obtain one look or exchange a +word, was truly painful. While they are still in possession of the +comforts I once enjoyed, I am an exile from my country and my father's +house, deprived of all society and every friend but one, and with +scarcely the necessaries of life. _These privations would not be endured +with patience in any other cause but that in which we are engaged._ +But since it is thy cause, blessed Jesus, we rejoice that thou didst +give us so many enjoyments to sacrifice, and madest it so plainly our +duty to forsake all in order to bring thy truth to the benighted +heathen. We would not resign our work, but live contented with our lot, +and live to Thee." + +"_Sept. 5._--Yes, I do feel thankful that God has brought me to this +heathen land, and placed me in a situation peculiarly calculated to make +me feel my dependence on him and my constant need of the influences of +the Holy Spirit. I enjoy more in reading the Scriptures, and in secret +prayer than for years before; and the prosperity of this mission, and +the conversion of this people, lie with weight on my mind, and draw +forth my heart in constant intercession. _And I do confidently believe +that God will visit this land with Gospel light, that these idol temples +will be demolished_, and temples for the worship of the living God be +erected in their stead." + +Let us here pause for a moment and contemplate the picture brought by +these words before our imagination. Let us survey the scene in which the +lonely missionary penned this prediction. A vast country not waste and +uninhabited, but enriched by the partial sun with every natural gift to +cheer the sense and gratify the taste of man; swarming with human beings +endowed with capacities for advancement in knowledge, and virtue, and +temporal enjoyment, as well as for immortal happiness; yet who, having +said in their heart there is no God 'that minds the affairs of men,' +have built up for themselves a fabric of absurd superstitions, and +unmeaning rites, and senseless formalities, to which they cling with a +stubbornness that nothing but the power of God can subdue; on such a +shore are cast by the providence of God two 'pilgrim strangers,' not +endowed with apostolic gifts; not able to control disease, or raise the +dead, or even to speak in a foreign tongue without long and patient and +assiduous study to acquire it; and yet with a simple and sublime faith +in the clear and sure word of their master, "Go--preach my Gospel--lo, I +am with you," these pilgrim strangers can CONFIDENTLY BELIEVE +that God will visit this land with gospel light, and that those gilded +fanes which now glisten in the morning and evening sun, on every +hill-top, will fall, and those poor idolaters will say, "What have we to +do any more with idols?" "our trust is in the name of the Lord that made +heaven and earth." + +In one of the last paragraphs of her private journal which has been +preserved, dated Oct. 8th of the same year, she says: "To-day I have +been into the town, and I was surprised at the multitude of people with +which the streets are filled. Their countenances are intelligent; and +they appear to be capable under the influence of the Gospel, of +becoming a valuable and respectable people. But at present their +situation is truly deplorable, for they are given to every sin. Lying is +so universal among them that they say, 'we cannot live without telling +lies.' They believe the most absurd notions imaginable. My teacher told +me the other day, that when he died he would go to my country; I shook +my head, and told him he would not; but he laughed, and said he would. I +did not understand the language sufficiently to tell him where he would +go, or how he could be saved. Oh thou Light of the world, dissipate the +thick darkness that covers Burmah. Display thy grace and power among the +Burmans--subdue them to thyself, and make them thy chosen people." + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 2: The war had almost produced a famine.] + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +LEARNING THE LANGUAGE.--MRS. JUDSON VISITS THE WIFE OF THE VICEROY.--HER +SICKNESS.--HER VOYAGE TO MADRAS.--HER RETURN TO RANGOON.--BIRTH OF A +SON. + + +Those who have acquired a modern European language with the aid of +grammars, dictionaries, and other suitable books, can scarcely estimate +the labor of learning without such aids, such a language as the Burman. +In fact Mr. Judson thinks more progress can be made in the _French_ in a +few months, than in the Burman in two years. Mrs. Judson took the whole +management of family affairs on herself, in order to leave her husband +at liberty to prosecute his studies and the consequence was, that being +obliged constantly to use all the Burman she knew, in her intercourse +with servants, traders, and others, her progress was more rapid than +his. + +One cause of difficulty in learning their language was that their books +were made of palm-leaves, marked or engraved with an iron style or pen, +_without ink_. We who are accustomed to clear characters on paper can +hardly imagine the difficulty of tracing out these obscure scratches on +the dried palm-leaves. Another was that in writing, "their words are not +fairly divided like ours by breaks, and points, and capitals, but run +together in a long continuous line, a sentence or paragraph seeming like +one long word." Another difficulty was, that in their idiom, a great +variety of verbs must be used to express one action, either as performed +by persons of different rank, or as done under different circumstances. +Thus there are three or four ways to speak of eating rice, sleeping, +dying, &c. one of which is always used of the king, another of priests, +another of rulers, and another of common persons, and it would be an +insult to use a phrase lower than one is entitled to. Again, for our +term to _wash_, for instance, there are many words; one is used for to +_wash the face_, another, the hands, another, linen, another, dishes, +&c. They have in their language eleven vowels and thirty-three +consonants, but of these there are so many combinations, that about one +thousand characters must be used in printing. Printing, however, was +unknown to the Burmans until our missionaries introduced it. + +As no progress at all could be made in their missionary labors until the +language was mastered, they applied themselves cheerfully and diligently +to its acquisition. + +An interesting incident is related by Mrs. Judson under date of Dec. +11th, 1813, her first visit to the wife of a man in power. "To-day for +the first time I have visited the wife of the Viceroy. I was introduced +to her by a French lady who has frequently visited her. When we first +arrived at the government house, she was not up, consequently we had to +wait some time. But the inferior wives of the Viceroy diverted us much +by their curiosity, in minutely examining everything we had on, and by +trying on our gloves, bonnets, &c. At last her Highness made her +appearance, richly dressed in the Burman fashion, with a long silver +pipe in her mouth, smoking. At her appearance all the other wives took +their seats at a respectful distance, and sat in a crouching posture +without speaking. She received me very politely, took me by the hand, +seated me upon a mat and herself by me. One of the women brought her a +bunch of flowers, of which she took several and ornamented my cap. She +was very inquisitive whether I had a husband and children, whether I was +my husband's first wife,--meaning by this whether I was the highest +among them, supposing that Mr. Judson, like the Burmans, had many wives; +and whether I intended tarrying long in the country. + +"When the Viceroy came in I really trembled, for I never before beheld +such a savage-looking creature. His long robe and enormous spear not a +little increased my dread. He spoke to me, however, very +condescendingly, and asked whether I would drink some rum or wine. When +I arose to go, her highness took my hand again, told me she was happy to +see me, and that I must come to see her every day. She led me to the +door, I made my _salam_ and departed. + +"My object in visiting her was, that if we should go into any difficulty +with the Burmans, I could have access to her, when perhaps it would not +be possible for Mr. Judson to have an audience with the Viceroy." + +In pursuing his study of the language, Mr. Judson had fortunately +secured as a teacher a Burman of more than ordinary intelligence, and +who had a perfect knowledge of the grammatical construction of the +Burman dialect, and also of the _Pali_, or language of the sacred books. +Day after day he sat with his teacher in the open verandah which +surrounded their dwelling, reading, writing, and talking, joined by Mrs. +Judson in every interval she could spare from family cares, and thus +were they fitting themselves to teach to the poor idolaters the new +religion. Nor did they neglect such opportunities of doing good as +presented themselves even then; but every effort to inculcate their +sentiments was met with the objection, "Your religion is good for you, +ours for us." "You will be rewarded for your good deeds in your way, we +in our way." They found they had to deal with one of the proudest and +most conceited races on earth. Their very religion, as we have before +said, encourages this conceit, by leading them constantly to make "a +merit" of their good actions, or what they suppose such; while it +inculcates neither contrition nor penitence. The peculiar doctrines of +Christianity, its justification through the merits of another, its +humility and charity, were in the last degree opposed to the character +of the Burman race. The missionaries were made daily more sensible that +the Spirit of God must come "with power," before the truth could ever +enter those darkened understandings. Prayer was therefore their only +reliance, as it was their only comfort. + +But even this enjoyment, as far as it was social, was soon broken in +upon by the increasing illness of Mrs. Judson, which obliged her to try +the effect of a change of scene and climate. She could not think of +taking Mr. Judson from his labors, and therefore embarked alone in +January, 1815, for Madras. We may imagine the joy experienced by the +missionary, thus left behind, on receiving during her absence letters +from this country, containing an account of the general movement in +America in favor of the Mission, and the formation of the Baptist +General Convention. His heart overflowed with gratitude, and the thought +that though he had no friend near him, there were yet hundreds in his +native land praying and laboring in the same cause, inspired him with +new zeal in his beloved enterprise. + +Mrs. Judson's journey, though solitary, was prosperous and successful. +Friends appeared for her where she least expected them. The influence of +her engaging person and winning manners is observable in one obliging +attention she received even from strangers. The Viceroy appointed a +woman to accompany her free of expense; the captain refused money for +her passage; and the physician at Madras, from whom she had received +visits for six weeks, returned the fee which she sent him, saying he was +happy if he had been of service to her. Her health being perfectly +restored she returned to Rangoon after an absence of three months, and +"on the 11th of September, was made the happy mother of a little son." +She soon resumed her studies, and though she saw little other result of +her labors, was cheered by noticing that she and her husband were +gradually gaining the confidence of the natives, who, as she says, would +say to each other "that they need not be afraid to trust us, for we do +not tell falsehoods as the Burmans do." The indolent and deceitful +Burmans saw with surprise that these two Christians always kept +themselves busily employed, and paid every debt they contracted with +strict punctuality. Thus was laid the foundation of respect for the new +religion. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +DIFFICULTY OF INCULCATING THE GOSPEL.--DEATH OF HER SON.--FAILURE OF MR. +JUDSON'S HEALTH.--ARRIVAL OF MR. AND MRS. HOUGH AT RANGOON. + + +In a letter which Mrs. Judson wrote to her sisters in December, 1815, +she says: "Doubtless you expect by this time that some of the Burmans +have embraced the Christian religion, or at least are seriously +inquiring respecting it." "But you cannot imagine how very difficult it +is to give them any idea of the true God and the way of salvation by +Christ, since their present ideas of Deity are so very low." "They have +not the least idea of a Divinity who is eternal, without beginning or +end. All their deities have been through the several grades of +creatures, from a fowl to a God...." "They know of no other atonement +for sin, than offerings to their priests or their pagodas." + +She goes on to mention some instances of serious inquiry among the +people, which from time to time had raised their hopes, only to dash +them again by the relapse of the inquirers into indifference; but adds +"These things do not discourage us. It is God alone who can effectually +impress the mind with divine truths; and though seed may lie buried long +in the dust, yet at some future period it may spring up and bear fruit +to the glory of God." + +In this letter she gives an account of the recall of the Viceroy from +Rangoon to Ava, the imperial residence, and the consequent confusion of +the people, ten thousand of whom accompanied him to Ava. She regretted +his departure, as both he and his lady had ever treated her with +civility and kindness. The newly appointed Viceroy was a stranger, and +might not be equally kind to them. + +She says, "Oh how I long to visit Bradford; to spend a few evenings by +your firesides, in telling you what I have seen and heard. Alas! _we_ +have no fireside, no social circle. We are still alone in this miserable +country, surrounded by thousands ignorant of the true God." ... "But we +still feel happy in our employment, and have reason to thank God that he +has brought us here. We do hope to live to see the Scriptures translated +into the Burman language, and a church formed from among these +idolaters." + +Her next letter details "with all the pathos of a mother's sorrow," a +new trial to which they were called by Him, who though "clouds and +darkness are about him" yet "doeth all things well." + +"_May 7th, 1816._--My dear Parents,--Little did I think when I wrote +you last, that my next letter would be filled with the melancholy +subject upon which I must now write. Death, regardless of our lonely +situation has entered our dwelling, and made one of the happiest of +families wretched. Our little Roger Williams, our only little darling +boy, was three days ago laid in the silent grave. Eight months we +enjoyed the precious little gift, in which time he had so completely +entwined himself around his parents' hearts that his existence seemed +necessary to their own. But God has taught us by affliction, what we +would not learn by mercies--that our hearts are his exclusive property, +and whatever rival intrudes, he will tear it away." + +"He was a remarkably pleasant child--never cried except when in pain, +and what we often observed to each other was the most singular, he never +during his little existence manifested the least anger or resentment at +anything. This was not owing to the want of intellect, for his tender +feelings of sensibility were very conspicuous. Whenever I or his father, +passed his cradle without taking him, he would follow us with his eyes +to the door, when they would fill with tears, his countenance so +expressive of grief, though perfectly silent, that it would force us +back to him, which would cause his little heart to be as joyful as it +had before been sorrowful. He would lie hours on a mat by his papa's +study-table, or by the side of his chair on the floor, if he could only +see his face. When we had finished study or the business of the day, it +was our exercise and amusement to carry him round the house or garden, +and though we were alone, we felt not our solitude when he was with +us." ... + +Her account of his last sickness and death follows, and she adds: "Thus +died our little Roger: + + 'Short pain, short grief, dear babe, was thine-- + Now joys eternal and divine.' + +We buried him in the afternoon of the same day, in a little enclosure, +the other side of the garden. Forty or fifty Burmans and Portuguese +followed with his afflicted parents the last remains to the silent +grave. All the Burmans who were acquainted with us, tried to sympathize +with us and console us under our loss." ... "We do not feel a disposition +to murmur, or inquire of our Sovereign why he has done this. We wish +rather to sit down submissively under the rod and bear the smart, till +the end for which the affliction was sent shall be accomplished. Our +hearts were bound up in this child; we felt he was our earthly all, our +only source of innocent recreation in this heathen land. But God saw it +was necessary to remind us of our error and strip us of our little all. +Oh may it not be in vain that he has done it. May we so improve it that +he will stay his hand and say, 'It is enough.'" A while after this she +writes: "Since worship I have stolen away to a much loved spot, where I +love to sit and pay the tribute of affection to my lost, darling child. +It is a little enclosure of mango-trees, in the centre of which is +erected a small bamboo house, on a rising spot of ground, which looks +down on the new-made grave of our infant boy. Here I now sit, and though +all nature around wears a most delightful, and romantic appearance, yet +my heart is sad, and my tears frequently stop my pen. You, my dear Mrs. +L. who are a mother, may imagine my sensations, but if you have never +lost a first born, an only son, you can never know my pain. Had you even +buried your little boy, you are in a Christian country, surrounded by +friends and relatives, who could soothe your anguish and direct your +attention to other objects. But behold us, solitary and alone, with this +one source of recreation! Yet this is denied us, this must be removed, +to show us that we need no other source of enjoyment but God himself. + +"Do not think though I write thus, that I repine at the dealings of +Providence. No! though he slay me yet will I trust in him!... Though I +say with the Prophet, Behold and see if there be any sorrow like unto my +sorrow, yet I would also say, It is of the Lord's mercies that we are +not consumed because his compassions fail not. God is the same when he +afflicts, as when he is merciful, just as worthy of our entire trust and +confidence now, as when he entrusted us with the precious little gift. +There is a bright side even to this heavy affliction." + +The following tender and beautiful effusion was written by the Rev. J. +Lawson of the Serampore Mission and presented to Mrs. Judson on this +occasion. As it has not been published in former notices of Mrs. J. we +take pleasure in inserting it here. + + "Hush'd be the murmuring thought! Thy will be done + O Arbiter of life and death. I bow + To thy command--I yield the precious gift + So late bestowed; and to the silent grave + Move sorrowing, yet submissive. O sweet babe! + I lay thee down to rest--the cold, cold earth + A pillow for thy little head. Sleep on, + Serene in death. No care shall trouble thee. + All undisturbed thou slumberest; far more still + Than when I lulled thee in my lap, and sooth'd + Thy little sorrows till they ceased.... + Then felt thy mother peace; her heart was light + As the sweet sigh that 'scaped thy placid lips, + And joyous as the dimpled smile that played + Across thy countenance.--O I must weep + To think of thee, dear infant, on my knees + Untroubled sleeping. Bending o'er thy form, + I watch'd with eager hope to catch the laugh + First waking from thy sparkling eye, a beam + Lovely to me as the blue light of heaven. + Dimm'd in death's agony, it beams no more! + + Oh yet once more I kiss thy marble lips, + Sweet babe I and press with mine thy whitened cheeks. + Farewell, a long farewell!--Yet visit me + In dreams, my darling; though the visioned joy + Wake bitter pangs, still be thou in my thoughts + And I will cherish the dear dream, and think + I still possess thee. Peace, my bursting heart! + O I submit. Again I lay thee down, + Dear relic of a mother's hope. Thy spirit, + Now mingled with cherubic hosts, adores + That grace that ransomed it, and lodg'd it safe + Above the stormy scene." + +She then gives an interesting account of a visit paid them by the wife +of the Viceroy, who on hearing of the death of the 'little white child' +as she called him, came to condole with his parents. She was attended by +about two hundred of her officers of state and members of her household, +expressed great sympathy in Mrs. Judson's affliction, and reproached her +for not having sent her word that she might have come to the funeral. +Mrs. Judson says, "I regaled her with tea, sweetmeats, and cakes, with +which she seemed much pleased." She adds, "I sometimes have good +opportunities of communicating religious truths to the women in the +government-house, and hope I shall have an opportunity of conversing +with the wife of the Viceroy herself." ... "Oh that she might become a +real disciple of Jesus!" + +In the same melancholy letter she relates another affliction--Mr. +Judson, who had frequently been asked by the natives, 'Where are your +religious books?' had been diligently employed in preparing a Tract in +the Burman language called 'A Summary of Christian Truth;' when his +nervous system, and especially his head became so afflicted, that he was +obliged to lay aside all study, and seriously think of a voyage to +Calcutta as his only means of restoration. But he was prevented from +executing his design by the joyful news that two additional missionaries +were about to join them. Mr. and Mrs. Hough, from America, arrived in +Rangoon in October, 1816; and brought with them as a present from the +Mission at Serampore, a printing press, with a fount of types in the +Burman character than which nothing could have been more acceptable. + +Can we wonder that after laboring in loneliness and sorrow three years, +such an event as this should fill their hearts with joy and consolation? + +The Burmans are very generally taught to read, though having little that +is attractive in their own literature, and books being scarce and dear, +they could not at the time of which we write, be said to be a reading +people. Still the fact that numbers were able to read, was a strong +encouragement to print tracts and books for them. On the occasion of +printing the tract above-mentioned, and a catechism, Mr. Hough writes +thus: + +"These two little tracts are the first printing ever done in Burmah; and +it is a fact grateful to every Christian feeling, that God has reserved +the introduction of this art here, for his own use." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +MISSIONARY LABORS.--FEMALE INTELLECT IN BURMAH.--DESCRIPTION OF A +PAGODA, OF BURMAN WORSHIP AND OFFERINGS. + + +A circumstance still more cheering to the hearts of the missionaries +than even the arrival of companions from their beloved native land, was +a visit of a Burman who having read the "two little books" from the +press of Mr. Hough, came to inquire further into the new religion. When +Mr. Judson first heard from the lips of an idolater the confession that +"God is a Being without beginning or end, not subject to old age or +death, but who always is,"--his feelings were indescribable and +overpowering. Here at length was a germination of that seed they had so +long been sowing in tears! For if one heathen heart could be thus led by +the Spirit to investigate the truth, why not more.--Why not many? and +why might not the same Spirit lead them to him who is not only the +truth, but the way,--the way to Heaven? + +They soon received visits from other Burmans who had seen the tracts +issued by them; and who seemed desirous of learning the truth, but still +very fearful of being known as inquirers. It became necessary therefore +to seek the patronage of the government, and Mr. Judson determined, so +soon as he should have finished his dictionary of the language, to +proceed to Ava, the residence of the emperor. + +Mrs. Judson met every Sabbath a society of fifteen or twenty females, to +whom she read the Scriptures, and talked about God. They were attentive, +and willing to ask and answer questions, but for a long time experienced +no abiding convictions of sin or of duty. Some were willing to serve +Christ if they could do it without renouncing dependence on their own +merits. Others would serve God, if they might serve Gaudama also. + +As there is a tendency in enlightened minds to feel a contempt for the +intellect of barbarians; and as some have even felt that time spent as +Mrs. Judson's was with those native females, was thrown away, we will +here record her testimony to the intelligence of the Burmese women. "The +females of this country are lively, inquisitive, strong and energetic, +susceptible of friendship and the warmest attachment, and possess minds +capable of rising to the highest state of cultivation and refinement.... +This is evident from their mode of conversing," and may be illustrated +by some particulars in the experience of one of them, named May-Meulah. + +Previous to the arrival of the missionaries in her country, her active +mind was led to inquire the origin of all things. Who created all that +her eyes beheld? She inquired of all she met, and visited priests and +teachers in vain; and such was her anxiety, that her friends feared for +her reason. She resolved to learn to read, that she might consult the +sacred books. Her husband, willing to gratify her curiosity, taught her +to read himself. In their sacred literature she found nothing +satisfactory. For ten years she prosecuted her inquiries, when God in +his providence brought to her notice a tract written by Mr. Judson in +the Burmese language, which so far solved her difficulties, that she was +led to seek out its author. From him she learned the truths of the +gospel, and by the Holy Spirit those truths were made the means of her +conversion. "She became an ornament to her profession, and her daily +walk and conversation would shame many professors in Christian +countries." + +Christians in America, was Mrs. Judson's time thrown away, when she was +leading Burmese females to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus? + +One of the most splendid buildings in the empire is a pagoda at Rangoon, +in which is enshrined a relic of Gaudama. At this pagoda, a yearly feast +is celebrated which lasts three days, and draws people together from all +parts of the country. + +Mrs. Judson says--"If Dr. Young could have seen the devotion of this +people to their idolatry, he might well have exclaimed, 'O for a heathen +zeal in Christian hearts!' Even while I am writing my ears are stunned +with the noise and confusion of preparation for an approaching festival. +Could you, my dear sir, but once witness this annual feast, could you +behold the enthusiasm of their devotions, you would readily admit that +nothing short of an Almighty arm could break down these strong barriers, +and cause the introduction of the gospel." + +The pagoda itself is thus described by Dr. Malcom. + +"Two miles from Rangoon stands the celebrated pagoda called +Shooda-gon. It stands upon a small hill surmounted by many smaller +pagodas, and many noble trees. The hill has been graduated into +successive terraces, sustained by brick walls; and the summit, which is +completely leveled, contains about two acres. + +"The two principal approaches from the city are lined on each side, for +a mile, with fine pagodas, some almost vieing for size with Shoodagon +itself. Passing these, on your way from the city, you come to a flight +of time-worn steps, covered by a curious arcade of little houses of +various forms and sizes, some in partial decay, others truly beautiful. +After crossing some terraces, covered in the same manner, you reach the +top and passing a great gate, enter at once this sad but imposing +theatre of Gaudama's glory. One's first impressions are, what _terrible_ +grandeur; what _sickening_ magnificence; what absurd imagery; what +extravagant expenditure; what long successions of devotees to procure +this throng of buildings of such various dates; what a poor religion +which makes such labors its chief meritoriousness! Before you, stands +the huge Shoodagon, its top among the clouds, and its golden sides +blazing in the glories of an eastern sun. Around are pompous zayats, +noble pavements, Gothic mausoleums, uncouth colossal lions, curious +stone umbrellas, graceful cylindrical banners of gold-embroidered muslin +hanging from lofty pillars, enormous stone jars in rows to receive +offerings, tapers burning before the images, exquisite flowers displayed +on every side filling the air with fragrance, and a multitude of carved +figures of idols, griffins, guardians, &c. + +"Always in the morning, men and women are seen in every direction +kneeling behind their gift, and with uplifted hands reciting their +devotions, often with a string of beads counting over each repetition; +aged persons sweep out every place, or pick out the grass from the +crevices; dogs and crows struggle around the altars, and devour the +recent offerings; the great bells utter their frequent tones; and the +mutter of praying voices makes a hum like the buzzing of an exchange. + +"Every worshipper brings a present, often a bunch of flowers or a few +green twigs plucked on the way; but generally the nicest eatables ready +cooked, beautiful bunches of flowers, articles of raiment, &c. The +amount of offerings here is very great. Stone vases, some of which will +hold fifty or sixty gallons, stand round the pagoda, into which the +devotees carefully lay their leafy plates of rice, plantain, cakes, &c. +As these are successively filled, appointed persons empty them into +their vessels, carefully assorting the various kinds. The beautiful +flowers remain all night and are swept out in the morning. No one ever +objected however to my gathering them at pleasure. A gift once deposited +is no more regarded by the worshipper." "I could not but feel as I gazed +upon the rich landscape and bright heavens, and marked the joy of the +young men and maidens as they passed on, that he who has so long +forborne with them, will in his abundant mercy, give them pastors after +his own heart, who shall feed them with knowledge and understanding." + +After reading this description, who can wonder at the difficulty of +turning this semi-barbarous people from a religion of such a gorgeous +and imposing ceremonial, and of such perfect congeniality with the +unhumbled heart, to the spiritual, self-denying, pride-abasing +doctrines of the cross? + +Mrs. Judson in a letter to a friend, mentions the splendor and +costliness of some of the religious offerings, one of which cost three +thousand tickals, or twelve hundred dollars. After a description of the +pagoda and its worshippers, she says: "The ground on which the pagoda is +situated, commands a view of the surrounding country, which presents one +of the most beautiful landscapes in nature. The polished spires of the +pagodas, glistening among the trees at a distance, appear like the +steeples of meeting-houses in our American seaports. The verdant +appearance of the country, the hills and valleys, ponds and rivers, the +banks of which are covered with cattle and fields of rice; each in turn +attract the eye, and cause the beholder to exclaim, "Was this delightful +country made to be the residence of idolaters?" ... Oh my friend, scenes +like these, productive of feelings so various and so opposite, do +notwithstanding, fire the soul with an unconquerable desire to rescue +this people from destruction, and lead them to the Rock that is higher +than they." + + * * * * * + +Under date of January 18, 1818, Mrs. Judson writes that they still live +quietly, unmolested by government, and that they receive much respect +and affection from the Viceroy and his family. She had some +opportunities of private religious conversation with the Vicereine, to +whom she presented a translation of Matthew's Gospel and a catechism. +Still the heart of the lady appeared unaffected, though she ordered her +daughters to be instructed in the new catechism. The inquirer who was +mentioned as having afforded Mr. Judson such lively satisfaction, had +been appointed to a government in a distant province, so that they saw +little of him, but were gratified to learn that his interest in +religious books still continued. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +DISTRESSING EVENTS.--MR. JUDSON'S ABSENCE FROM RANGOON.--PERSECUTION OF +MR. HOUGH.--HIS DEPARTURE FOR BENGAL.--MRS. JUDSON'S HEROIC +FORTITUDE.--MR. JUDSON'S RETURN. + + +We have now to relate some distressing events connected with the +mission, which for a time threatened its very existence. + +Mr. Judson having decided to commence a course of public preaching to +the natives, thought best to secure the assistance of a native convert +from the province of Arracan, who spoke the Burman language, to assist +him in his first public efforts. He therefore embarked for that +province, leaving Mrs. Judson to continue her efforts with the females +under her instruction; while Mr. and Mrs. Hough were to prosecute the +study of the language. He intended to be gone but three months, but at +the end of that period, when his return was daily expected, a vessel +from Chittagong, the port to which he had sailed, arrived at Rangoon, +bringing the distressing tidings, that neither he, nor the vessel he +sailed in had been heard of at that port. Letters received by Mrs. +Judson from Bengal, also brought similar intelligence. + +While the missionaries left in Rangoon were in this state of fearful +alarm and suspense, Mr. Hough received an order to repair instantly to +the Court House with a threat, that "if he did not tell all the truth in +relation to the foreigners, they would write with his heart's blood." +This message spread consternation among the native teachers, domestics +and adherents, some of whom heard that a royal order had arrived for the +banishment of all foreign teachers. Mr. Hough was detained at the +court-house from day to day on the most flimsy pretences, ignorant of +the language, and with no one to intercede with the government in his +behalf, for it was contrary to etiquette for a woman to appear before +the Viceroy, his family being absent. Mrs. Judson being at length +convinced that the petty officers of government were acting in this +matter without authority, and for the purpose of extorting money from +Mr. Hough, with the intrepidity that always marked her character, +"taking her life in her hand", went boldly to the palace with a petition +for his release. The Viceroy immediately granted it, and commanded that +Mr. Hough should receive no further molestation. + +To add to the distresses of the missionaries, the cholera now raged +around them with fearful violence and there were rumors of war between +England and Burmah. Six months had passed, and still the fate of Mr. +Judson was a fearful mystery. The English vessels were hastening their +departure from the harbor and soon they would have no means of leaving +the country, whatever might occur. Mrs. Judson writes: "Mr. Hough has +been for some time past desirous to have Mrs. Hough, his children and +myself go to Bengal. But I have ever felt resolved not to make any +movement till I hear from Mr. Judson. Within a few days, however, some +circumstances have occurred which have induced me to make preparations +for a voyage. There is but one remaining ship in the river; and if an +embargo is laid on English ships it will be impossible for Mr. Judson +(if he is yet alive) to return to this place. But the uncertainty of +meeting him in Bengal, and the possibility of his arriving in my +absence, cause me to make preparations with a heavy heart. Sometimes I +feel inclined to remain here, alone, and hazard the consequences. I +should certainly conclude on this step, if any probability existed of +Mr. Judson's return. This mission has never appeared in so low a state +as at the present time. It seems now entirely destroyed, as we all +expect to embark for Bengal in a day or two. Alas! how changed are our +prospects since Mr. Judson left us! How dark, how intricate the +providence that now surrounds us! Yet it becomes us to be still, and +know that he is God who has thus ordered our circumstances." + +A fortnight later, she writes: "Alone, my dear friends, in this great +house, ... I take my pen to record the strange vicissitudes through +which I have passed within a few days." + +On the 5th of this month, I embarked with Mr. Hough and family for +Bengal, having previously disposed of what I could not take with me.... +My disinclination to proceed had increased to such a degree that I was +on the point of giving up the voyage; but my passage was paid, my +baggage on board, and I knew not how to separate myself from the rest of +the mission family. The vessel however was several days in going down +the river; and "before putting out to sea was to be detained a day or +two longer at its mouth." "I immediately resolved on giving up the +voyage and returning to town. Accordingly the captain sent up a boat +with me, and agreed to forward my baggage the next day. I reached town +in the evening,--spent the night at the house of the only remaining +Englishman in the place, and to-day have come out to the mission-house, +to the great joy of all the Burmans left on our premises. Mr. Hough and +his family will proceed, and they kindly and affectionately urge my +return. I know I am surrounded by dangers on every hand, and expect to +see much anxiety and distress: but at present I am tranquil, and intend +to make an effort to pursue my studies as formerly, and leave the event +with God." + +Thus did this heroic woman, with that divine "instinct that seems to +guide the noblest natures in great emergencies, decide to return alone +to the mission-house, there to await the return of her husband, or the +confirmation of her worst fears concerning his fate." It was a wonderful +exhibition of courage and constancy; "and gave assurance of all the +distinguished qualities, which at a later period, and amid dangers still +more appalling, shone with such brightness around the character of this +remarkable woman. The event justified her determination; and within a +week after her decision was taken, Mr. Judson arrived at Rangoon, having +been driven from place to place by contrary winds, and having entirely +failed of the object for which he undertook the voyage. + +"Mr. and Mrs. Hough, after long delays, reached Bengal, carrying with +them the press and all the implements of the printing-house. Their +removal was subsequently productive of many embarrassments to the +Mission, and seems never to have been fully justified either by Mr. +Judson or the Board of Managers in America."[3] + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 3: Gammell.] + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +INTOLERANCE OF THE BURMAN GOVERNMENT.--FIRST EDIFICE FOR CHRISTIAN +WORSHIP ERECTED.--INSTRUCTION OF NATIVES.--CONVERSION OF A NATIVE.--HIS +BAPTISM.--THAT OF TWO TIMID DISCIPLES.--MESSRS. JUDSON AND COLMAN VISIT +AVA. + + +A few weeks after the return of Mr. Judson, the prospects of the Mission +were still further brightened by the arrival of Messrs. Colman and +Wheelock, who, with their wives, had been appointed by the Board in +America, Missionaries to Burmah. They were young men of good talents, +fervent piety, and extraordinary devotion to the object of evangelizing +the heathen. + +Mr. Judson, considering himself sufficiently master of the language to +preach publicly, decided to build a small zayat, on a much frequented +road, where he could preach the gospel, and converse with any native who +might desire it, and where Mrs. Judson could meet female inquirers, and +hold a school for religious and other instruction. He knew that this +might draw upon them the displeasure of the higher powers, which had +hitherto favored them because of the privacy of their life, and their +small influence with the natives; for this government, as they +afterwards discovered, though remarkably tolerant to foreigners, is +highly intolerant to its own subjects in religious matters. Dr. Malcom +remarks: "Foreigners of every description are allowed the fullest +exercise of their religion. They may build places of worship in any +place, and have their public festivals and processions without +molestation. But no Burman may join any of these religions, under the +severest penalties. In nothing does the government more thoroughly +display its despotism, than in its measures for suppressing all +religious innovation, and supporting the established system.... The +whole population is thus held in chains, as iron-like as caste itself; +and to become a Christian openly, is to hazard everything, even life +itself." But the Missionaries not being at this time at all aware of the +rigor of this intolerance, resolved to make the attempt, and trust in +the Lord for protection. + +In April, 1819, Mr. Judson preached in his new zayat to a congregation +of fifteen or twenty persons, most of them entirely inattentive and +disorderly. But feeble as was this beginning, it was regarded by the +missionaries as an event of no ordinary importance. Here was the first +altar ever erected for the worship of the true God in that country over +which century after century had rolled, each sweeping its millions of +idolaters into eternity; and rude and lowly as were its walls, compared +with the magnificent temples that surrounded it, it was perhaps the +fitter emblem of that spiritual religion which delights not in temples +made with hands, but in the service of the heart, 'which is in the sight +of God of great price.' + +The building, which they called a _zayat_ from its similarity to the +public buildings of that name in Burmah, had three apartments; the first +a mere verandah thatched with bamboo, open to the road, and the place +where Mr. Judson received all occasional visitors and inquirers; the +second or middle one, a large airy room, occupied on Sundays for +preaching and on week days as a school-room; and the last division, a +mere entry opening into the garden leading to the mission-house. During +the week Mrs. Judson occupied the middle room, giving instruction in +reading, &c., to a class of males and females; and also in conversing +with female inquirers. Here she also studied the Siamese language, much +spoken in Rangoon, and translated into that language a catechism, and +the Gospel of Matthew. + +The 30th of April, 1819, was made memorable by the first visit of an +inquirer who became a convert to the Christian faith. On the +5th of May Mr. Judson says in his journal, "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 to his name for evermore. +Amen." + +From this time we learn from Mr. Judson's journal, that the verandah of +the zayat where he sat to receive visitors, was constantly thronged with +natives, who, impelled, some by curiosity and idleness, and some by +better motives, came to talk about the new religion. So much however was +to be dreaded, in the opinion of most of these, from the "lord of life +and death," as they called the emperor, that few dared follow out their +convictions. Moung Nau, however, the convert above mentioned, adhered +steadfastly to his now faith, and desired baptism. Not having any doubt +of the reality of his conversion, Mr. Judson administered the ordinance +to him on Sunday, June 21. On the following Lord's day, the missionaries +had the unspeakable satisfaction of sitting down at the Lord's table for +the first time with a converted Burman; and as Mr. Judson writes, he had +the privilege to which he had been looking forward many years, of +administering the communion in two languages. + +Many of the expressions of this young convert are very interesting. We +find them in a letter from Mrs. Judson. "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. 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!" On hearing the +fifth chapter of Matthew read, he said "These words take hold on my very +heart, they make me tremble. Here God commands us to do everything that +is good in secret, and not to be seen of men. How unlike our religion is +this! When Burmans 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 religion makes the mind fear God; it makes it of its own +accord fear sin." + +In the same letter she mentions a very interesting meeting with the +females before mentioned, fifteen in number, who had for some time +received from her religious instruction. Their love for, and confidence +in their own religion seemed to be taken away; the truth seemed to have +forced itself upon their understandings; but the sinfulness of their +hearts, which among heathen as well as Christian nations is the great +obstacle to salvation, could only be removed by the Holy Spirit, and oh +how earnest and fervent were the prayers of their teacher for the +presence of that heavenly agent! + +Mr. Wheelock, one of the recently arrived missionaries, was obliged on +account of his failing health to try a sea-voyage; but during the +passage to Bengal, in a paroxysm of fever and delirium, he threw himself +overboard and was drowned. + +Some of the inquirers at the zayat had no inconsiderable powers of +reasoning and argument; one in particular, named Moung-Shwa-gnong; who +would spend whole days at the zayat, and engage Mr. Judson in endless +discussions.--Not satisfied with the Buddhist faith he had become a +confirmed skeptic, and disputed every Gospel truth before he received it +with much subtilty and ingenuity. But after a while he found that his +visits at the zayat had attracted the notice of Government, that the +viceroy on being told he had renounced the religion of his country, had +said, 'Inquire further about him,' and the missionaries for a time saw +him no more. + +The two candidates that next presented themselves for baptism, were +urgent that the ordinance should be performed, not absolutely in +private, but at sunset and away from public observation. The +missionaries discussed their case long with them and with each other. +Mr. Judson's remarks on the subject, as well as his description of the +baptism, are so full of that tenderness and pathos which is eminently a +'fruit of the Spirit,' that we must give them in his own words. + +"We felt satisfied that they were humble disciples of Jesus, and were +desirous of receiving 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 before 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. Lord's day. We had worship as usual and the +people dispersed. About half an hour before sunset the two candidates +came to the zayat, accompanied 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 allowed to look on the humble, timid +profession. No wondering crowd crowned the overshadowing hill. No hymn +of praise expressed the exulting feeling of joyous hearts. Stillness and +solemnity pervaded the scene. We felt, on the banks of the water, as a +little, feeble, solitary band. But perhaps some hovering angels took +note of the event with more interest than they witnessed the late +coronation; 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 acknowledge us another day, more publicly than we venture at +present to acknowledge him." + +There was a great falling off in the attendance at the zayat after +Moung-shwa-gnong's defection. None dared call to inquire from religious +principle, and curiosity respecting the religion had been fully +gratified. It became highly desirable to take some measures to secure +the favor of the emperor. If he could be made propitious, the converts +and the missionaries would have nothing to fear. Messrs. Judson and +Colman, therefore, leaving their families at Rangoon, set out on their +visit to Ava, to lay their case--as a Burman would express it--before +'the golden feet.' They carried with them, as presents to his majesty, +the Bible, in six volumes, covered with gold leaf in the Burman +style, each volume enclosed in a rich wrapper; and many other articles +as presents to the different members of the government. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +RECEPTION OF MESSRS. COLMAN AND JUDSON AT AVA.--THEIR RETURN TO +RANGOON.--THEIR RESOLUTION TO LEAVE RANGOON.--OPPOSITION OF DISCIPLES TO +THIS MEASURE.--INCREASE OF DISCIPLES.--THEIR STEADFASTNESS.--FAILURE OF +MRS. JUDSON'S HEALTH. + + +The passage up the Irrawaddy to Ava, or rather Amerapoora, which was +then the capital, was made in safety in a little more than thirty days. +They soon found the house of their old friend the former viceroy of +Rangoon, who now enjoyed a high post under government. Here they were +kindly received, and promised a speedy presentation to the "golden +face," _i.e._ the emperor. + +The next day, Moung Yo, a favorite officer of the viceroy, came to take +them to the imperial palace. He first introduced them to the private +minister of state, who met them very pleasantly, received their +presents, and a petition they had prepared to the emperor, which latter +he was examining when some one announced that the 'golden foot' was +about to advance; when the minister hastily rose up, put on his +state-robes, and prepared to present them to the emperor. They were +conducted through various splendor and parade, up a flight of steps into +a magnificent hall. Mr. Judson says "The scene to which we were now +introduced, really surpassed our expectation. The spacious extent of the +hall, the number and magnitude of the pillars, the height of the dome, +the whole completely covered with gold, presented a most grand and +imposing spectacle. Very few were present, and those evidently great +officers of state. Our situation prevented us from seeing the further +avenue of the hall, but the end where we sat opened into the parade +which the emperor was about to inspect. + +"We remained about five minutes, when every one put himself into the +most respectful attitude, and Moung Yo whispered that his majesty had +entered. We looked through the hall as far as the pillars would allow, +and presently caught sight of this modern Ahasuerus. He came forward, +unattended--in solitary grandeur--exhibiting the proud gait and majesty +of an eastern monarch. His dress was rich but not distinctive, and he +carried in his hand the gold-sheathed sword, which seems to have taken +the place of the sceptre of ancient times. But it was his high aspect +and commanding eye, that chiefly rivetted our attention. He strided on. +Every head excepting ours, was now in the dust. We remained kneeling, +our hands folded, our eyes fixed on the Monarch. When he drew near, we +caught his attention. He stopped, partly turned towards us--'Who are +these?' 'The teachers, great King,' I replied. 'What, you speak +Burman?--the priests that I heard of last night? When did you arrive? +Are you teachers of religion? Are you married? Why do you dress so?' +These and other similar questions we answered; when he appeared to be +pleased with us, and sat down on an elevated seat--his hand resting on +the hilt of his sword, and his eyes intently fixed on us." + +Moung Zah now read their petition, which set forth that they were +teachers of the religion of their country, and begged the royal +permission to teach the same in his dominions; and also prayed that no +Burman might be subjected to molestation from government for listening +to or embracing that religion; and the emperor after hearing it, took it +himself, read it through and handed it back without saying a word. In +the meantime Mr. Judson had given Moung Zah an abridged copy of the +tract called a "Summary of Christian Doctrine," which had been got up in +the richest style and dress possible. The emperor took the tract "Our +hearts," says Mr. J., "now rose to God for a display of his grace. Oh +have mercy on Burmah! Have mercy on her king!" But alas! the time had +not yet come. He held the tract long enough to read the two first +sentences, which assert that there is one eternal God, who is +independent of the incidents of mortality and that besides him, there is +no God; and then with an air of indifference, perhaps disdain, he dashed +it down to the ground! Moung Zah stooped forward, picked it up and +handed it to us. Moung Yo made a slight attempt to save us by unfolding +one of the volumes which composed our present and displaying its beauty, +but his majesty took no notice. Our fate was decided. After a few +moments Moung Zah interpreted his royal master's will in the following +terms: "In regard to the objects of your petition, his majesty gives no +order. In regard to your sacred books, his majesty has no use for +them--take them away." ... "He then rose from his seat, strode on to the +end of the hall, and there, after having dashed to the ground the first +intelligence he had ever received of the eternal God, his Maker, +Preserver, his Judge, he threw himself down on a cushion, and lay +listening to the music, and gazing at the parade spread out before him." + +They and their presents were then hurried away with little ceremony. The +next day they "ascertained beyond a doubt, that the policy of the Burman +government is precisely the same as the Chinese; that it is quite out of +the question whether any subjects of the emperor who embrace a religion +different from his own, will be exempt from punishment; and that we, in +presenting a petition to that effect, had been guilty of a most +egregious blunder,--an unpardonable offence." + +We cannot prevail on ourselves to give the sequel of this narrative in +any other than the beautiful and picturesque language of Mr. Judson +which we have so often quoted. + +"It was now evening. We had four miles to walk by moonlight. Two of our +disciples only followed us. They had pressed as near as they ventured to +the door of the hall of audience, and listened to words which sealed the +extinction of their hopes and ours. For some time we spoke not. + + 'Some natural tears we dropped, but wiped them soon. + Tho world was all before us, where to choose + Our place of rest, and Providence our guide.' + +And as our first parents took their solitary way through Eden, so we +took our way through this great city. + +"Arrived at the boat, we threw ourselves down, exhausted in body and +mind. For three days we had walked eight miles a day, the most of the +way in the heat of the sun, which in the interior of these countries is +exceedingly oppressive; and the result of our toils and travels has +been--the wisest and best possible--a result, which, if we could see the +end from the beginning, would call forth our highest praise. O slow of +heart to believe and trust in the over-ruling agency of our own Almighty +Saviour!" + +They returned to Rangoon by an easy and rapid passage down the river, +and calling the few disciples together frankly disclosed to them the +result of their mission. To their surprise and delight it only increased +their zeal and attachment for the religion they had professed. They +became in turn the comforters of the missionaries, vieing with each +other in trying to convince them that the cause was not yet desperate. +Above all were they solicitous that the missionaries should not carry +out a design they had formed to leave them, and try to find a field more +favorable for their labors. One assured them he would follow them to the +end of the world. Another, who having an unconverted wife, could not +follow them, declared that if left there alone, he would perform no +other duties but those of Christ's religion. + +But what had most weight with Mr. and Mrs. Judson in inducing them to +remain, was the fact that inquiry seemed to be spreading in the +neighborhood, and that there seemed a further prospect of usefulness, in +spite of the fear of persecution. They therefore concluded to remain for +the present at Rangoon; while Mr. and Mrs. Colman should proceed to +Arracan and form a station there. + +Thus again were Mr. and Mrs. J. alone; but not now exclusively among +heathen idolaters. The affectionate zeal of the disciples rejoiced their +hearts; and others, and among them the old disputant, Moung-Shwa-gnong, +seemed sincere and hopeful inquirers. Three women, induced by him, also +visited Mrs. Judson to learn the way of life. One of these (the one we +have before alluded to) was characterized by superior discernment and +mental power, but exceedingly timid through fear of persecution. In one +of her conversations she expressed her surprise that the effect of the +religion of Christ upon her mind was to make her love his disciples more +than her dearest natural relations. This showed that she was a real +disciple, though a timid one. But surely it is not for us who sit under +our own vine with none to make us afraid, to be severe on these poor +heathen, for not at once overcoming the dread of suffering, so natural +to the human heart! Before we judge them, let us be very sure that _our_ +faith would endure the fires of persecution and even of martyrdom which +threatened them. They knew of instances where their countrymen who had +embraced the _Roman Catholic_ faith, had been subjected to the +punishment of the iron-mall, an instrument of torture more dreadful than +any employed against the Scottish Covenanters, in the times of their +bitterest persecution. Sudden execution they might have braved, though +that will appal almost any heart; but lingering torture was what they +might fear, to which death should succeed only when nature could bear +no more. + +Females in Christian countries, who think much of your self-denials and +sacrifices, when + + 'A moment's pain, a passing shower, + Is all the grief ye share,' + +how could _your_ hearts endure if called to such trials, as might at any +moment befall your poor sisters in Burmah! + +Mrs. Judson's health had for some time been failing, and at length after +having gone through two courses of salivation for the liver-complaint, +she was obliged to try a sea-voyage. Her situation was too critical for +her to think of going alone, and Mr. Judson concluded to accompany her +to Bengal. Two converts expressed the strongest desire to profess +Christ, before the missionaries should leave them. They were accordingly +baptized. The ship being detained, the speculative, hesitating, but now +sincere disciple, Moung Shwa-gnong, casting aside his fears and +scruples, boldly avowed his faith, and desired baptism. Of course he was +joyfully received. The scene at his baptism had such an effect upon Mah +Meulah, the female who has been before mentioned, that she too could no +longer delay a public profession of faith in Christ. On returning to the +house after receiving the rite, she said, "Now I have taken the oath of +allegiance to Jesus Christ, and I have nothing to do but to commit +myself, soul and body, into the hands of my Lord, assured that he will +never suffer me to fall away!" + +Surely if no other proof existed of the power of gospel truth to renew +the heart of men, a sufficient one would be furnished here. In the face +of threatened persecution not only were old converts strengthened in +their faith in, and attachment to Christ, but new ones eagerly pressed +forward to unite themselves with the despised and humble flock. + +Nine males and one female had now been baptized at the hazard of their +lives; a grammar and dictionary had been compiled and printed; a portion +of the Scriptures translated and printed; tracts had been issued; and so +greatly had the missionaries gained in favor with the people, that as +they went down to the ship which was to carry them to Bengal, more than +a hundred natives followed them, testifying sincere grief at their +departure. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +MR. AND MRS. JUDSON VISIT BENGAL AND RETURN.--MRS. JUDSON'S HEALTH AGAIN +FAILS.--HER RESOLUTION TO VISIT AMERICA.--HER VOYAGE TO ENGLAND AND +VISIT THERE. + + +They arrived in Calcutta on the 8th of August, 1820. The voyage was of +no essential benefit to Mrs. J.'s health, neither was her visit to +Calcutta; but at Serampore she so far recovered as to make them desirous +to return to Rangoon, where they arrived on the 5th of January, 1821. +The converts received them with the utmost affection; their old friend +the vicereine again occupied her former palace and welcomed Mrs. Judson +with friendly familiarity, and new inquirers presented themselves at the +zayat. In translating the Scriptures, the acute and fertile mind of +Moung Shwa-gnong was an invaluable assistance, while another convert of +cultivated intellect was equally useful in other missionary labors. +Though through fear of being subjected to extortion, some of them had +been obliged to flee to the woods, not one disciple had disgraced or +dishonored his profession. A violent effort and been made by some of +Moung Shwa-gnong's enemies, to ruin him in the opinion of the viceroy, +by complaining of him that he was making every endeavor "to turn the +priests' rice-pot bottom upwards." "_What consequence?_" said the +viceroy, "_let the priests turn it back again._" All the disciples from +that time felt sure of toleration under Mya-day-men, (the name of the +viceroy.) + +The history of the next few months presents nothing novel in the life of +this little Christian community, to which there were however some +accessions. But Mrs. Judson was gradually sinking under the disease +which had so long troubled her, until at length it was found essential +to her _life_ even, that she should seek some more propitious climate. +After much anxious deliberation it was resolved that she should sail for +Bengal, and thence to America. Her feelings on leaving the 'home of her +heart,' and the husband of her youth, as well as the spiritual children +that God had given them in that heathen land--to try alone the perils of +a long and tedious voyage, in a state of health which rendered it +doubtful whether she would ever reach the land of her nativity, or +return to that of her adoption--can scarcely be conceived, much less +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 suffered no privations in our attempts to form 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 having been the theatre in which so much of the power, +faithfulness and mercy of God have been exhibited; from having been +considered for ten years past as my home for life, and from a thousand +interesting associations, had become the dearest spot on earth. Hence +you will readily imagine, that no ordinary consideration would have +induced my departure." + +She arrived in Calcutta Sept. 22d, 1821. Finding when she reached there +that the American captains of vessels declined taking passengers, +without an exorbitant price, she decided not to take passage to America. +On mentioning her circumstances to a lady in Calcutta, the latter +strongly recommended the advantages of a voyage to England, on account +of the superior accommodations, medical advice, and female passengers in +English ships. A pious captain offered to take her for about one third +of the price demanded for a voyage to America, provided she would share +a cabin with three children, who were going to England an offer which +she immediately accepted. The father of the children subsequently +arrived in Calcutta, and generously paid the whole price of the cabin, +which enabled her to go without any expense to the Board. + +She writes: "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 Rangoon. But if not I shall go over to America, and spend +one winter in my dear native country. + +"Ardently as I desire to see my beloved friends in America, I cannot +prevail on myself to be any longer from Rangoon than is absolutely +necessary for the preservation of my life. I have had a severe struggle +relative to my immediate return to Rangoon instead of going to England. +But I did not venture to go contrary to the convictions of reason, to +the opinion of an eminent and skilful physician, and the repeated +injunctions of Mr. Judson. + +"My last letter from Rangoon was dated Oct. 26. Moung Shwa-gnong had +been accused before the viceroy, and had disappeared. 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. He +informed Mr. J. that having been accused, he had 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 be any time with his friends without +conversing on the subject of religion. Moung Ing had returned, as +steadfast 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 baptized, who gives decided evidence of +being a true Christian. Have we not, my dear sir, every reason to trust +God in future, when we see what he has done in Rangoon. Could you see at +once the 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 one of them truly +converted, how great is our joy to see a little church rise up in the +midst of that wilderness, consisting of thirteen converted Burmans." + +On her passage to England, her old enemy, the liver-complaint, again +attacked her; but bodily illness did not prevent her from endeavoring to +benefit the souls of her fellow-passengers; and with regard to two of +them, her efforts did not seem unsuccessful. + +On arriving in England, she was cordially invited by the Hon. Joseph +Butterworth, M.P., to make his house her home. He afterward, at a public +meeting, referred to her visit as "reminding him of the apostolic +admonition, 'Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some +have entertained angels unawares.'" + +At his house she met many persons, distinguished for literature and +piety, among whom were Sumner, Babington and Wilberforce. + +After spending some time at Cheltenham, to which place she had been sent +for the benefit of its waters, she accepted a pressing invitation to +visit Scotland, where, as in England, she received valuable presents and +innumerable acts of kindness. The piety of her English friends seemed to +her of the most high-toned character, and their ardent friendship called +forth her warmest affections. Though on her way to a still dearer +country, the land of her birth, she could not part with them without the +tenderest regret. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +MRS. JUDSON'S ARRIVAL IN AMERICA.--INFLUENCE OF HER VISIT.--HOSTILE +OPINIONS.--HER PERSON AND MANNERS.--EXTRACTS FROM HER LETTERS. + + +In the meanwhile events of some interest were transpiring in Burmah. In +consequence of the persecution against Moung Shwa-gnong which had +obliged him to flee for his life, and the new vigilance of priests and +officers in respect to converts,--the inquirers withdrew altogether from +the mission-house, and Mr. Judson was obliged to close the zayat, and +suspend public preaching on the Sabbath, though still the converts +visited him privately, for instruction and consolation. + +Mr. J.'s solitary condition was however soon relieved by the arrival of +Dr. and Mrs. Price, who came to share his labors among the heathen; and +also by the return of Mr. and Mrs. Hough from Serampore, bringing with +them the printing press, whose absence had occasioned no small delay and +inconvenience to Mr. Judson in his labors. + +On the 25th of September, 1822, Mrs. J. arrived in America. Her +feelings on revisiting her native land, are best learned from a letter +to Mr. Judson's parents, dated Sept 27. + +"With mingled sensations of joy and sorrow, I address a few lines to the +parents of my beloved husband,--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 at New York harbor +day before yesterday. On account of the prevalence of yellow fever, +prudence forbade my landing. Accordingly I embarked on board the +steamboat 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 spend the winter. But Dr. Stoughton wishes me to go 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 the disorder is +entirely eradicated." + +Of this visit of Mrs. Judson to America, Professor Gammell remarks in +general, as follows: + +"Her visit to the United States forms an epoch of no inconsiderable +importance in the progress of interest in missions among the churches of +various denominations in this country. She visited several of the +leading cities of the Union; met a large number of associations of +ladies; attended the session of the Triennial Convention at Washington; +and in a multitude of social circles, alike in the South and in the +North, recited the thrilling narrative of what she had seen and +experienced during the eventful years in which she had dwelt in a +heathen land. + +"But relaxation and travelling for health and interviews with religious +friends, were not her only occupation. In her retirement, in addition to +maintaining an extensive correspondence, she found time to prepare the +history of the mission in Burmah which was published in her name, in a +series of letters addressed to Mr. Butterworth, the gentleman beneath +whose roof she had been a guest during her residence in England. These +records, which were principally compiled from documents which had been +published before, contained the first continuous account of the Burman +mission ever given to the public. The work was widely read in England +and America, and received the favorable notice of several of the leading +organs of public criticism. + +"The influence which she exerted in favor of the cause of missions +during her brief residence of eight or nine months in the United States, +it is hardly possible now to estimate. She enlisted more fully in the +cause not a few leading minds who have since rendered it signal service +both by eloquent vindications and by judicious counsels; and by the +appeals which she addressed to Christians of her own sex, and her fervid +conversations with persons of all classes and denominations in America, +as well as by the views which she submitted to the managers of the +mission, a new zeal for its prosecution was everywhere created, and the +missionary enterprise, instead of being regarded with doubt and +misgiving, as it had been by many, even among Christians, began to be +understood in its higher relations to all the hopes of man, and to be +contemplated in its true grandeur, and ennobling moral dignity." + +Such is the opinion of her visit expressed by an elegant and enlightened +scholar, now that more than a quarter of a century has passed, bringing +triumph to the missionary cause, and honor to its first founders and +advocates; but such we regret to say was not the universal sentiment of +her contemporaries. Many persons well remember the unfounded stories put +in circulation respecting her, by some whose motives we will not inquire +into, as they would scarcely bear investigation, in regard to her +actions, her intentions, and even her apparel. As her biographer remarks +in introducing some of her letters at this period: "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 persons who would put forth or +circulate such calumnies, a perusal of her 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 unwarily have been 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 exemplary +demeanor, ardent piety, and steady, irrepressible devotion to the +interests of the mission." + + * * * * * + +The person and manners of Mrs. Judson at this time, were, according to +the testimony of some who well recollect her, engaging and attractive in +no common degree. Her sweet and ready smile, her dark expressive eye, +the animation and sprightliness of her conversation, and her refined +taste and manners, made her a favorite in all circles. Her dress, for +which she was indebted to the liberality of British friends, was more +rich and showy than she would have chosen for herself, and as has been +said, excited unkind remarks from some who did not care to investigate +her reasons for wearing it. Elegant as it was said to be, it was +certainly far better she should wear it, even at the risk of seeming +inconsistency, than to put her friends to the expense of other and +plainer clothing. + +As to the imputation that she preferred the eclat of life in a southern +city, to the retirement of her New England home,--it is sufficient to +answer, that a constitution relaxed and enfeebled by ten years' +residence in a tropical climate, was ill-fitted to bear the rigors of a +New England winter, and as her whole object in her visit, was the +restoration of her health, she conceived it her duty to choose such a +place of sojourn as should seem most favorable to it. + + * * * * * + +After a stay of six weeks with her parents in Bradford, Mrs. J. found it +necessary to seek a milder climate, and was advised to try that of +Baltimore. She had a pleasant journey to that city, stopping one day +with friends in New York, and arrived there on the 5th of December. From +her letters written about this time we proceed to give some extracts. + +"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 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 was quite exhausted, and I began to fear whether I +should be able to continue my journey." ... "How much of heaven might +Christians enjoy even here on earth if they would keep in view 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 their +profession would be with their conduct, how much more useful their lives +and how much more rapidly they would ripen for eternal glory." + +"Christians do not sufficiently assist one another in their spiritual +walk. They are not enough in the habit of conversing familiarly and +affectionately on the state of each others' 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." + +"I ought to have mentioned that I found much of the true missionary +spirit existing in New York. + +"I began this letter some days ago, but a violent cold has prevented my +finishing it. I am very thankful that I am no farther north than +Baltimore, for I feel confident the cold would soon destroy me. I 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." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +FURTHER EXTRACTS FROM HER LETTERS.--HER ILLNESS.--HER HISTORY OF THE +BURMAN MISSION.--HER DEPARTURE FROM AMERICA WITH MR. AND MRS. WADE. + + +In a letter to a friend at Waterville, Mrs. Judson gives a full account +of the reasons that determined her to pass the winter at the south. She +says: "I had never _fully_ counted the cost of a visit to my native +country and beloved relatives. I did not expect that a scene which I had +anticipated _as so joyous_, was destined to give my health and +constitution a shock which would require months to repair. + +"During my passage from England my health was most perfect, not the +least symptom of my original disorder remained. But from the day of my +arrival, the idea that I was once more on American ground banished all +peace and quiet from my mind, and for the first four days and nights I +never closed my eyes to sleep! This circumstance, together with dwelling +on the anticipated meeting with my friends, occasioned the most alarming +apprehensions. + +"I reached my father's about a fortnight after my arrival in the +country--and had not then 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 my old friends and acquaintances; and during the whole six weeks +of my residence at my father's, I had _not one_ night's quiet rest. I +felt the cold most severely, and found, as that increased, my cough +increased." + +She goes on to say that under these circumstances, she was strongly +urged by Dr. Judson, a brother of her husband, who was then in +Baltimore, to remove to the south, and take up her residence for the +winter with him at his boarding-house. She says that painful as it was +to leave her dear family, yet as she knew that freedom from company and +excitement, as well as a milder climate, were absolutely essential to +her recovery, she was induced to go. She adds that her health is so far +re-established that she is able to give five hours a day to study and to +the compilation of her History of the Burman Mission, a work she had +very much at heart. + +The next passage in the letter is of touching interest, as showing the +meekness of the Christian spirit in receiving a rebuke, whether merited +or not. + +"Your kind hint relative to my being injured by the lavish attention 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 deserving it. 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 imagined: and that there are thousands of poor +obscure Christians, whose excellences will never be known in this world, +who are a thousand times more deserving of the tender regard of their +fellow-Christians than I am. + +"Yet I trust I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for inclining the +hearts of his children to look on me with a friendly eye. The retired +life I now lead is much more congenial to my feelings, and much more +favorable to religious enjoyment, than when I was kept in a continual +bustle of company. Yes, it is in retirement that our affections are +raised to God, and our souls refreshed and quickened by the influences +of the Holy Spirit. If we would live near the threshold of Heaven, and +daily take a glance at our promised inheritance we must avoid not only +worldly, but religious dissipation. Strange as it may seem, I do believe +there is something like religious dissipation, in a Christian's being +so entirely engrossed in religious company, as to prevent his spiritual +enjoyments." + +In Baltimore, through the influence of Dr. Judson, she had the best +medical advice and attendance the city could give; and was put upon a +course of mercury in order to produce salivation. She denied herself to +company, and thus secured time for writing, in which employment she was +assisted by "a pious excellent young lady," whom she engaged as a +copyist. Her correspondence was extensive, and occupied much of her +time. One interesting letter from England informed her that Mr. +Butterworth had put at interest for her Burman school L100 sterling, and +that a larger sum had been collected. Her English physicians insisted +that she could _not live_ in India, and urged her and her husband to +come to England, but her determination to return to Burmah was +unalterable. + +On the 19th of February she writes to her friend in Waterville: "Your +kind and affectionate letter found me in bed, so weak that I was obliged +to read it at intervals; but it afforded heartfelt consolation. 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 spend my remaining days, few or many, in endeavouring to guide +immortal 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 seemed to be +removed from the liver to the lungs. I have raised blood twice, which +the physicians thought proceeded from the lungs, though I am inclined to +think it was from 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. + +"I am rejoiced to hear that Mr. Boardman has offered himself to supply +dear Colman's place. If actuated by 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 +him for every privation. 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. + +"This is the third day I have been writing this letter, on account of my +weakness. But I am gaining a little every day. Yesterday I had a little +female prayer-meeting in my chamber--trust the blessed Saviour was near +us. Oh it is good to get near to God, and feel whether in life or death, +we are His. + +"Let us, my dear sister, so live, that our union to Christ 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 nothing towards saving immortal souls." + +In a subsequent letter she mentions receiving a journal kept by her +husband, with the joyful intelligence of the accession of five more +converts to the little church there, three of whom were females, and +members of her Wednesday meeting. "They have," she says "set up of their +own accord a female prayer-meeting. Is not this encouraging?" Dr. Price +had been ordered to Ava on account of his medical skill, and Mr. Judson +was about to accompany him to make a further effort for toleration. + +In March, Mrs. Judson went to Washington to superintend the printing of +her History of the Mission, and here she was detained contrary to her +wishes until the last of April. However, this detention gave her an +opportunity of meeting the Baptist General Convention which held its +session there at that time. A committee was appointed to confer with her +respecting the Burman Mission, and at her suggestion several important +measures were adopted. + +When the printing of her work was completed, she presented the +copy-right to the convention. The work was favorably noticed in several +leading journals of the day, and has circulated extensively both in +Europe and this country. It was of great service not only to the cause +of the particular field of which it was the history, but to the cause of +missions generally, in awaking the public mind from that strange apathy +in regard to our Saviour's parting command in which for seventeen +centuries it had for the most part quietly slumbered. We say _for the +most part_, for we do not forget the self-denying labors of the Roman +Catholics in propagating their doctrines in various parts of the world; +indeed this has always been the bright redeeming feature of that system +of semi-pagan Christianity. Well would it be if protestant Christians +would imitate their zeal and self-devotion! How strange that centuries +passed, even after the Reformation, before Christians began to recognize +as binding that solemn injunction, "Go ye into all the world, and preach +the Gospel to every creature, with its encouraging promise, Lo I am +with you always even unto the end of the world!" + +This _apathy_ in respect to the cause nearest her heart, was a great +source of grief to Mrs. J. In a letter to Dr. Wayland, written in +Washington, after stating that she had found that her strength was not +sufficiently restored to undertake a journey to the North, she says, +"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," has induced me to remain.... "Oh 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?... Where are our young +men, fired with the love of Christ and compassion for immortal souls, +who are _desirous_ to leave their comforts and their homes for a few +years, to serve their Redeemer in foreign lands? Who is willing 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. Loss of +sleep for this night will be the consequence of indulging myself thus +far." + +At the above-mentioned Convention, Mr. Jonathan Wade of New York, and +Mr. George D. Boardman of Maine, had offered themselves as Missionaries +to the East. Mr. Wade was soon after regularly appointed by the Board, +and with his wife, was directed to take passage for India with Mrs. +Judson. The latter writes to her sister from Boston, upon her arrival +there from the South, "We arrived in safety at six o'clock on Thursday. +We were immediately informed that Mr. and Mrs. Wade would sail with me +to India. This was animating intelligence, and I felt that 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 twelve hundred dollars. The +accommodations are excellent, clean and airy. It is a most beautiful +ship, and the captain seems disposed to do all in his power for our +comfort.... I am now making preparations for my passage. Monday we have +a prayer-meeting, and on Tuesday we go to Plymouth. I am doubting +whether I ought to go to 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 agitation to take a formal leave of my friends and +home." + +On the 22d of June, 1823, they sailed from Boston amidst every +demonstration of personal attachment and Christian sympathy. They +carried with them a valuable present and a letter from the Convention to +the Burman emperor, sent in the hope of conciliating his favor toward +the missionaries. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +MESSRS. JUDSON AND PRICE VISIT AVA.--THEIR RECEPTION AT COURT.--THEIR +RETURN TO RANGOON.--MRS. JUDSON'S RETURN.--A LETTER TO HER PARENTS +DESCRIBING THEIR REMOVAL TO AVA.--DESCRIPTION OF AVA. + + +It was mentioned that during Mrs. Judson's absence from Burmah, Dr. +Price, the fame of whose medical skill had reached the 'golden ears,' +had been ordered to Ava, and that Mr. Judson had determined to make +another attempt to procure toleration for the Christians by a second +visit to the capital. In a boat furnished by government, they left +Rangoon, embarked for Ava, then the capital, and were immediately +introduced to the king. Dr. Price was graciously received, but at the +first interview Mr. Judson was scarcely noticed. Of the second +interview, we will give the account in Mr. Judson's own words. + +"To-day the king noticed me for the first time.... After some time he +said, 'And you, in black, what are you? a medical man too?' 'Not a +medical man, but a teacher of religion, your Majesty.' He proceeded to +make a few inquiries about my religion, and then put the alarming +inquiry whether any had embraced it. I evaded by saying 'Not here.' He +persisted 'Are there any in Rangoon?' 'There are a few.' 'Are they +foreigners?' I trembled for the consequence of an answer which might +involve the little church in ruin; but the truth must be sacrificed or +the consequences hazarded; and I therefore replied, 'There are some +foreigners and some Burmans.' He remained silent a few moments, but +presently showed 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 +expression of satisfaction in all the court present. + +"After his Majesty retired, a royal secretary entered into conversation, +and allowed me to expatiate on several topics of religion in my usual +way. And all this took place in the presence of the very man, now an +Atwenwoon, (one of the highest officers) who many years ago, caused his +uncle to be tortured under the iron mall, for renouncing Buddhism and +embracing the Romish religion!... + +"Thanks to God for the encouragement of this day! The monarch of the +empire has distinctly understood, that some of his subjects have +embraced the Christian religion, and his wrath has been restrained." + +He afterwards had another interview, in which the king inquired much +about America, and authorized him to invite her ships to his dominions, +assuring them of protection and facilities for trade. + +He mentions much flattering attention paid him by a prince of the empire +and his wife, who was the king's sister, both of whom urged him not to +return to Rangoon, but to bring his wife and reside at Ava. In fact, +several dignitaries of the empire were so far attracted by the new +theories in religion and science, as to enter into animated discussions +with the missionaries respecting them. The prince above mentioned was an +interesting character. Mr. Judson went so far as boldly to urge upon him +the duty of making personal religion his immediate care. For a moment he +was moved, but soon replied, that he was young, only twenty-eight. That +he was desirous of enlarging his mind by an acquaintance with all +foreign science, and then he could judge whether Christianity was worthy +of his adoption or not. But, said Mr. Judson, suppose you change worlds +in the meantime? His countenance fell, and he said sadly, "It is true, I +do not know when I shall die." + +How true it is that "as in water face answereth to face, so doth the +heart of man to man." Left without excuse, this poor impenitent Burman, +like thousands in America, almost, but not altogether persuaded to be +Christians, postponed what he could not but purpose to a more convenient +season. + +On another occasion, so many persons of high rank expressed themselves +favorably to the Christian faith that one who had not hitherto ventured +to defend the missionaries in the presence of the king was bold enough +to say, "Nearly all the world, your Majesty, believe in an eternal God; +all but Burmah and Siam these little spots!" His Majesty remained +silent, and soon abruptly rose and retired. + +Before returning to Rangoon Mr. Judson had an interesting interview with +the king. "Why," asked the latter, "does the teacher return to Rangoon? +let him and Price stay together. If one goes, the other must remain +alone, and will be unhappy." Some one present explained that he was +going for his wife and goods, and would soon return. His Majesty said, +"Will you then come again?" and expressed a wish that he should do so +and remain permanently. He and Dr. Price had previously erected a house +near Ava on some land granted them by the king, which house was to be +occupied by Dr. P. until Mr. Judson's return. + +The following letter from Mr. Judson dated Dec. 7, 1823, announces the +arrival of his wife in Rangoon. "I had the inexpressible happiness of +welcoming Mrs. Judson once more to the shores of Burmah, on the 5th +instant. We are now on the eve of departure 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 her majesty's +curiosity will not be confined to dress. + +"Mr. and Mrs. Wade appear to be in fine health and spirits, and I am +heartily rejoiced at their arrival just at the present time." + +Rumors of a war between the British and Burmans were growing more and +more prevalent, and alas, proved but too well founded. From the very +last letter written by Mrs. Judson before this most unhappy and +disastrous war, we shall now make some extracts. + + "Ava, February, 10, 1824. + +"My Dear Parents and Sisters, + +After nearly 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 filled with gratitude and praise to that +Being, who has at all times been my protector and marked out all my way +before me. + +We had a quick and pleasant passage from Calcutta to Rangoon, and in +seven days after our arrival there we were on our way to this place. Our +progress up the river was slow indeed. The season however is cool and +delightful, we were preserved from dangers by day and robbers by night, +and arrived in safety in six weeks. The Irrawaddy is a noble river; we +often walked through the villages on its banks, and though we never +received the least insult, we always attracted universal attention. A +foreign female was a sight never before beheld, and all were anxious +that their friends and relations should have a view. Crowds followed us +through the villages, and some less civilized than the others, would run +some way before us, in order to have a _long_ look as we approached +them." ... After relating a conversation with the natives on the subject +of religion, and a narrow escape from drowning; she comes to their +arrival at Ava, where they had difficulties such as she had never before +experienced. Dr. Price urged their going immediately to the house he had +just erected; but it was of brick, and the walls still so damp that they +did not dare occupy it. She says, "We had but one alternative, and that +was to remain in the boat till they could build a small house on the +piece of ground which the king gave to Mr. J. 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, +which is large enough to make us comfortable. It is in a most delightful +situation, out of the dust of the town and on the bank of the river.... +Our house is in a healthy situation, is raised four feet from the +ground, and consists of three small rooms and a verandah. + +We hardly know how we shall bear the hot season which is just +commencing, for our house is built of boards, and before night is heated +like an oven. Nothing but brick is a shelter from the heat at Ava, where +the thermometer even in the shade frequently rises to 108 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 all our discouragements we have the language, and are able +constantly to communicate truths which can save the soul." + +She then mentions that she has commenced a female school with three +little girls, two of them given her by their parents, fine children, who +improve very rapidly, and that she has a prospect of more pupils. They +did not immediately visit the palace, as the royal family were absent on +a visit at Amarapoora, their old capital, where they were to remain +until the new palace in Ava should be finished. She found her old friend +the viceroy's wife now degraded by the death of her husband to a low +rank, but a sensible woman, and more capable, Mrs. J. thought, of +receiving religious truth than when in public life. She adds that in +consequence of war with the Bengal government, foreigners are not in as +much esteem at court as formerly--even Americans shared the same +disfavor as Englishmen, for being similar in features, dress, language +and religion, it is not surprising that the Burmans should have +confounded them as subjects of one government. From the circumstance of +money being remitted to them through English residents in Ava, they were +even suspected of being paid spies of the East India Company--but this +was at a somewhat later period. + + * * * * * + +The capital of Burmah is not fixed, but changes with the caprice of the +monarch, for wherever he fixes his imperial residence, there, for the +time, is the capital. Ava, the former capital, having been forsaken +during the reign of the old king for Amarapoora, was again to be the +royal residence, and for this purpose a magnificent palace had been +there erected, of which the emperor was now to take possession. On these +occasions, all the gorgeousness of oriental magnificence has its full +display. Such a scene the missionaires witnessed soon after their +arrival at Ava. Mrs. Judson gives an animated description of that +splendid day, when majesty with all its attendant glory entered the +gates of the golden city, and amid the acclamations of millions, took +possession of the palace. The numerous horses, the immense variety of +vehicles, the vast number and size of richly caparisoned elephants, the +myriads of people in their gala dresses, the highest officers in the +kingdom drawn from the most distant as well as the nearer provinces to +grace the occasion, each in his robes of state, the magnificent white +elephant, caparisoned with silk and velvet, and blazing with jewels, the +king and queen, in simple majesty, alone unadorned amid the gaudy +throng, surpassed any pageant ever exhibited in the western world. Alas! +this pomp and pride were soon to receive a disastrous humiliation. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +WAR WITH THE BRITISH.--NARRATIVE OF THE SUFFERINGS OF THE MISSIONARIES +DURING THE WAR. + + +In 1824 news reached America of the breaking out of war between Burmah +and British India. This of course excited the most anxious interest for +the fate of the Americans in that country. At length anxiety was +somewhat relieved by the intelligence that Messrs. Wade and Hough with +their families, who had remained at Rangoon, were, after dreadful +sufferings, safe under British protection. But over the fate of Mr. and +Mrs. Judson hung the silence of death, or of a suspense worse than +death, for more than two years, until hope itself died in the hearts of +their friends and kindred. + +But although in this long period of doubt and darkness, busy fancy had +pictured many scenes of terror and many forms of violent death, as the +possible lot of the missionaries; yet in her wildest nights she never +could have conceived of the terrible reality which they endured, not for +days and weeks only, but for _eighteen_ weary months. The wildest tale +of fiction has never depicted more cruel anguish, more appalling +suffering borne with more heroic energy, and more sublime fortitude--the +wildest fiction would not dare to portray woman's love and faith and +Christian hope, so long triumphant over insult and outrage, and torture +and death itself. Who after reading the following narrative of an heroic +female's unparalleled endurance, will ever say that woman's is a feeble +nature, incapable of withstanding the rude shocks of adverse fortune? +Nay, who will not rather say, that in woman, hope and faith, and +fortitude and energy, make even the frail _body_ immortal, till her +labor of love is accomplished, and its cherished object is rescued from +peril? + + * * * * * + +"The war which now broke out between the Burman government and that of +the English in Bengal, forms an important era in the history of the +mission. + +"Its first effect was to put an end to the labors of the missionaries, +and involve them in unspeakable sufferings, yet in accordance with a +mysterious though beneficent law of human affairs, its ultimate issues +have proved favorable not only to the interests of that particular +mission, but also to the further extension of Christian civilization +among the thickly peopled countries of Eastern India. The war had its +origin in feuds which had long existed on the frontiers of Chittagong." +Some Burman criminals had escaped to that territory, where as it was +alleged they were protected by British power. The Burman monarch +determined to chastise the English by making war on their government, +and had raised thirty thousand troops under the command of his greatest +warrior Bandula; but the East India Company anticipated his movements, +and landed their forces at Rangoon so suddenly and unexpectedly, that +the city fell into their hands with scarcely a show of resistance. This +was the first news that reached Ava of the commencement of hostilities. +It surprised the court there, but by no means alarmed them. Never having +come into collision with the English, and having the most extravagant +conceit of their own invincibility, they did not for a moment doubt +their power to drive the invaders from their country; and even sent by +one of their generals a pair of golden fetters with which to chain the +governor-general, and bring him captive to Ava. + +The first effect of the intelligence of the war upon the situation of +the missionaries, was an order that no man wearing a hat should enter +the palace. This was somewhat startling, still nothing of importance +occurred for several weeks, during which Mrs. J. continued her school, +while her husband went on building a house. But at length suspicion +having been excited that the Englishmen who resided in Ava were spies, +they were seized and put in confinement. Dr. Price and Mr. Judson were +strictly examined also, but nothing being proved against them, they were +left at liberty. They might probably have escaped further molestation, +had it not been found in examining the accounts of one of the +Englishmen, that he had paid over considerable money to the +missionaries. Ignorant of money transactions as carried on by +foreigners, this was an evidence to the natives, that the teachers were +in the pay of the British, and probably spies. This being represented to +the king, he gave an angry order for their arrest. + +On the 8th of June, Mr. Judson's house was rudely entered by an officer, +followed by eight or ten men, one of whom, by the hideous tattooing on +his face, they knew to be the executioner, or 'son of the prison.' On +seeing Mr. Judson--"You are called by the king," said the officer, the +usual form of arrest. In an instant the spotted-faced man threw him on +the floor, and drew forth that instrument of torture, the small cord. +Mrs. Judson tried in vain to bribe him with money. "Take her too," said +the officer, "she also is a foreigner." But this order Mr. Judson +prevailed on them to disregard. All was now confusion and dismay, the +children crying, the neighbors collecting around and in the house, while +the executioner bound Mr. Judson with the cords, and took a fiendish +pleasure in making them as tight as possible. Mrs. Judson gave Moung +Ing money that he might follow and procure a mitigation of this torture, +instead of which, Mr. Judson was again thrown down, and the cords so +tightened as almost to prevent respiration. Then he was hurried on to +the court-house, thence to "the death prison," into which he was hurled, +and Moung Ing saw him no more. + +We may imagine the intolerable agony of Mrs. Judson when the faithful +disciple returned with the sad news of his master's fate. Retiring to +her room, she tried to find consolation in casting her dreadful burden +of fear and suspense on her covenant God. But soon her retirement was +invaded by the magistrate of the place, who ordered her to come out and +submit to an examination. Of course she was obliged to obey, but before +doing so she destroyed every writing she possessed, letters, journals, +everything, lest her correspondence with her British friends should +confirm the suspicions of their persecutors. When the magistrate had +satisfied himself with the examination, he placed a guard of ten +ruffians about the house, with orders that no one should enter or leave +it on pain of death. + +Taking her four little Burman girls into an inner room she barred the +door, and obstinately refused to come out, although the guard, bent on +tormenting her, threatened to break the door down if she did not. She +prevented this outrage by a threat to complain of their conduct in the +morning to higher authorities, but in revenge they bound her two +Bengalee servants fast in the stocks in a most painful posture. By +bribes and promises she at length induced them to release the servants; +but their dreadful carousings, and horrid language, combined with her +suspense in regard to her husband's fate, rendered that long night one +of unmitigated wretchedness. + +In the morning, Moung Ing, whom she had sent to the prison, returned +with the intelligence that all the white foreigners were in the +death-prison chained with three pairs of fetters each to a pole, to +prevent their moving! "The point of anguish now was," she says, "that I +was a prisoner myself, and could make no efforts for their relief." She +earnestly but vainly begged the magistrate to allow her to go and state +the case to some government officer; she even wrote a letter to the +queen's sister, who was civil, but afraid to interfere in their behalf. +"The day," she says, "wore heavily away, and another dreadful night was +before me. I endeavored to soften the feelings of the guard, by giving +them tea and segars for the night; so that they allowed me to remain +inside my room, without threatening as they did the night before." But, +haunted by the idea of her dear husband's tortures, which she was +neither permitted to share nor alleviate, she of course passed another +night of anguish. + +The next day she sent a message to the governor of the city, to allow +her to visit him with a present. This was successful, and the guards had +orders to permit her to go into town. She was pleasantly received, +stated the situation of the teachers, and assured the governor that +being not Englishmen but Americans, they had nothing to do with the war. +She was referred to a head officer with whom she might consult as to the +means of making the prisoners more comfortable; _but their release was +out of the question_. The first sight of this officer, whose face +exhibited the working of every evil passion, inspired her with dread, +but he was the only one who could assist her. "He took me aside, and +endeavored 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 of government! What must I do, +said I, to obtain a mitigation of the sufferings 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.' At length +however he consented to take what money she had about her, which was a +considerable sum, and promised to relieve the teachers from their most +painful situation. She goes on: + +"I then procured an order from the governor for my admittance into the +prison, but the sensation produced by meeting my husband in that +_wretched, horrid_ situation, and the scene that ensued, I shall not +attempt to describe. He 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 of the governor for my admittance; they again harshly +repeated, 'Depart, or we will pull you out.'" The same evening all the +foreigners succeeded, by the payment of money, in being removed from the +common prison to an open shed, where Mrs. Judson was allowed to send +them food, and mats to sleep on, but for some days was not permitted to +see them. + +Nothing but her own eloquent words can do justice to the transactions +that followed. We copy as before from her letter, written two years +subsequent to these events, to her brother-in-law, Dr. Judson. + +"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. I waited not +for the usual question to a suppliant, 'What do you want?' but in a +bold, earnest yet respectful manner, stated our distresses and our +wrongs, and begged her assistance. She partly raised her head, opened +the present I had brought, and coolly replied, 'Your case is not +singular; all the foreigners are treated alike.' But it _is_ singular, +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 +house, with considerable hope that the speedy release of the +missionaries was at hand. But the next day, the property of Mr. Gouger, +(one of the Englishmen,) amounting to 25,000 dollars, was seized and +carried to the palace. The officers on their return, politely informed +me, that 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 discovered, 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 seats, and tea and +sweetmeats for 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 ordered to remain outside. +They saw I was deeply 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 religious offerings, +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 replied, search for +yourselves. "Have you not deposited silver with some person of your +acquaintance?" My acquaintances are all in prison, with whom should I +deposit silver? They next ordered my trunk and drawers to be examined. +The secretary 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 +took a list only; and did the same with the books, 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 many articles which were of inestimable value +during our long imprisonment." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +NARRATIVE CONTINUED, AND CONCLUDED.--THEIR DELIVERANCE FROM BURMAN +TYRANNY, AND PROTECTION BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT. + + +As soon as the search was completed, Mrs. Judson hastened to the wife of +the queen's brother, in hopes of having a favorable answer to her +petition; but to her heavy disappointment she learned that the queen had +refused to interfere. With a sad heart she turned her steps to the +prison-gate, but here she was denied admittance, and for ten days she +found the prison-door closed against her. + +"The officers who had taken possession of our property," continues Mrs. +Judson, "presented it to his majesty, saying, 'Judson 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 be found innocent.' This was in allusion to the idea of his being a +spy." + +While the officers were at Mr. J.'s house, they had insisted on knowing +the sum that had been paid to bribe the governor to allow the prisoners +more liberty. This sum they afterwards demanded of the governor, which +so enraged him that he threatened to thrust them back into the inner +prison. When Mrs. J. waited on him the next morning, his first words +were, "You are very bad; why did you tell the royal treasurer you had +given me so much money?" "The treasurer inquired, what could I say?" she +replied. "Say that you had given me 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," she 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." + +This answer so pleased the wife of the governor, who sat by, that she +ever afterwards was a firm friend to Mrs. Judson. The latter then by the +present of a beautiful opera-glass, a gift from her English friends, and +by promises of future presents, induced the governor to let her husband +remain where he was; but poor Dr. Price was confined as at first, and +was only relieved at the end of ten days, by his promising a piece of +broadcloth, and presents from Mrs. Judson. + +Sometimes she was summoned before the authorities to answer the most +absurd charges, and daily she was subjected to the most harassing +annoyance, from the desire of each petty officer to get money through +their misfortunes. Notwithstanding her repulse in her application to the +queen, hardly a day passed for seven months that she did not visit some +one of the members of government, or branches of the royal family, in +order to gain their influence in behalf of the teachers, though the only +benefit was that their encouraging promises preserved her from despair. +She did however in this manner gain friends, who sometimes assisted her +with food, and who tried to destroy the impression that they were +concerned in the war. + +The extortions and oppressions to which the prisoners were subject were +also indescribable. Sometimes Mrs. Judson was forbidden to have any +intercourse with them during the day; and therefore she would have two +miles to walk after dark, in returning to her house. She says, "Oh how +many, many times have I returned from that dreary prison at nine o'clock +at night, solitary and worn out with fatigue and anxiety, and thrown +myself down in that same rocking-chair you and Deacon S. provided for me +in Boston, and endeavored to invent some new scheme for the release of +the prisoners. Sometimes, for a moment or two, my thoughts would glance +toward America and my beloved friends there, out _for nearly 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 +life, or recollected that I had a friend in existence out of Ava_. + +"You my dear brother, who know my strong attachment to my friends, and +how much pleasure I have hitherto experienced from retrospect, can judge +from the above circumstance, 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 I should of course become a slave, and languish +out a miserable though short existence, in the tyrannic hands of some +unfeeling monster. But the consolations of religion in these trying +circumstances, were neither few nor small. It taught me to look beyond +this world, to that rest, that peaceful, happy rest, where Jesus reigns, +and oppression never enters." + +In the meantime, the Burmese government was sending army after army down +the river to fight the English; and constantly receiving news of their +defeat and destruction. One of its officers, however, named Bandoola, +having been more successful, the king sent for him to Ava, and +conferred on him the command of a very large army, destined against +Rangoon. As he was receiving every demonstration of court favor, Mrs. +Judson resolved to wait on him with a petition for the release of the +prisoners. She was received in an obliging manner, and directed to call +again when he should have deliberated on the subject. With the joyful +news of her flattering reception, she flew to the prison, and both she +and her husband thought deliverance was at hand. But on going again with +a handsome present to hear his decision, she was informed by his +lady--her lord being absent--that he was now very busy, making +preparations for Rangoon, but that when he had retaken that city, _and +expelled the English_, he would return and release all the prisoners. + +This was her last application for their enlargement, though she +constantly visited the various officials with presents in order to make +the situation of the prisoners more tolerable. The governor of the +palace used to be so much gratified with her accounts of the manners, +customs and government of America, that he required her to spend many +hours of every other day at his house. + +Mrs. Judson had been permitted to make for her husband a little bamboo +room in the prison enclosure far more comfortable than the shed he had +occupied and where she sometimes was allowed to spend a few hours in +his society. But her visits both to the prison and to the governor were +interrupted by the birth of a little daughter--truly + + 'A child of misery, baptized in tears!' + +About this time the Burmese court was thrown into consternation by news +of the disastrous defeat of Bandoola, the vain-glorious chief who was to +expel the English from the kingdom; and the rapid advance of the British +troops towards Ava. The first consequence of such intelligence would of +course be increased rigor towards the white prisoners; and accordingly, +before she had regained her strength after her confinement, Mrs. Judson +learned that her husband had been put into the inner prison, in five +pairs of fetters, that the room she had made for him had been torn down, +and all his little comforts taken away by his jailers. All the prisoners +had been similarly treated. + +Mrs. Judson, feeble as she was, hastened to the governor's house. But in +her long absence she had lost favor; and she was told that she must not +ask to have the fetters taken off, or the prisoners released, for _it +could not be done_. She made a pathetic appeal to the governor, who was +an old man, reminding him of all his former kindness to them, and +begging to know why his conduct was so changed to them now. His hard +heart melted and he even "wept like a child." He then confessed to her +that he had often been ordered to assassinate the prisoners privately, +but that he would not do it; and that, come what would, he would never +put Mr. Judson to death. At the same time he was resolute in refusing to +attempt any mitigation of his sufferings. + +The situation of the prisoners was now horrible in the extreme. There +were more than one hundred of them shut up in one room, with no air but +what came through cracks in the boards, and this in the hot season. Mrs. +Judson was sometimes permitted to spend five minutes at the door, but +the sight was almost too horrible to be borne. By incessant intreaties, +she obtained permission for them to eat their food outside, but even +this was soon forbidden. After a month passed in this way, Mr. Judson +was seized with fever, and nothing but death was before him unless he +could have more air. Mrs. Judson at length succeeded in putting up +another bamboo hut in the prison enclosure, and by wearing out the +governor with her entreaties, she got her husband removed into it, and +though too low for them to stand upright, it seemed to them a palace in +comparison with the prison. + +Disastrous news of the war continued to arrive, and at length the death +of Bandoola seemed to be the climax of misfortune. Who could be found to +take his place? A government officer, who had for some time been in +disgrace with the king, now came forward with a proposal to conquer the +English and put an end to the war, provided an army was raised on a new +plan. His offers were accepted, and he was clothed with full powers. He +was a man of talent and enterprise, and a violent enemy to foreigners. +The missionaries feared everything from his malignancy; and their fears +were but too well founded. + +They had been in their comfortable hut but a few days, when Mrs. J. was +suddenly summoned before the governor, and detained by trifling pretexts +for some time, in order--as she afterwards found--to spare her the +dreadful scene that was enacted at the prison in her absence. On leaving +him she met a servant running to tell her that all the white prisoners +were carried away he knew not whither. She ran from street to street +inquiring for them, until at length she was informed they were carried +to Amarapoora. She hastened to the governor, who professed his +ignorance, but promised to send off a man to inquire their fate; and +said significantly, "You can do nothing more for your husband; _take +care of yourself_." She returned to her room, and sank down almost in +despair. This was the most insupportable day she had passed. She +resolved to go to Amarapoora; packed up some valuables in trunks to +leave with the governor; and took leave of Ava, as she supposed, +forever. She obtained a pass for herself and infant, her two Burman +girls and cook, and got on board a boat, which conveyed them within two +miles of Amarapoora. There she procured a cart, but the heat and dust, +with the fatigue of carrying her infant, almost deprived her of reason. +But on reaching the court-house, her distress was further aggravated, by +finding that she must go four miles farther to a place called +Oung-pen-la. There in an old shattered building, without a roof, under +the burning sun, sat the poor prisoners, chained two and two, and almost +in a dying condition. She prevailed on the jailer to give her a shelter +in a wretched little room half filled with grain, and in that filthy +place, without bed, chair, table, or any other comfort, she spent the +next _six months_ of wretchedness. + +The account given her by Mr. Judson of his sufferings since she had seen +him was almost too dreadful to repeat. Dragged from the prison, and +stripped of their clothing, they were driven under a broiling sun, over +the hot sand and gravel until their naked feet were all one wound, and +they earnestly longed for death to put an end to their tortures. When +night came on, finding that one of the prisoners had dropped dead, and +that the others were utterly unable to walk, their driver had halted +till the next morning, and then conveyed them the remainder of the +distance in carts. On arriving and seeing the dilapidated condition of +the prison, they confidently thought they had been brought here for +execution, and tried to prepare themselves to meet a dreadful and +perhaps lingering death. From this apprehension they were relieved by +seeing preparations made to repair the prison. + +Mrs. Judson had brought from Ava all the money she could command, +secreted about her person. And she records her thankfulness to her +Heavenly Father that she never suffered from want of money, though +frequently from want of provisions. Hitherto her health and that of her +children had been good. But now commenced her personal, bodily +sufferings. One of the little Burman girls whom she had adopted, and +whom she had named Mary Hasseltine, was attacked on the morning after +her arrival with small-pox. She had been Mrs. Judson's only assistant in +the care of her infant. But now she required all the time that could be +spared from Mr. Judson, whose mangled feet rendered him utterly unable +to move. Mrs. Judson's whole time was spent in going back and forth from +the prison to the house with her little Maria in her arms. Knowing that +the other children must have the disease, she inoculated both, and those +of the jailer, all of whom had it lightly except her poor babe, with +whom the inoculation did not take, and who had it the natural way. +Before this she had been a healthy child but it was more than three +months before she recovered from the dreadful disorder. + +The beneficial effects of inoculation in the case of the jailer's +children, caused Mrs. Judson to be called upon to perform the operation +upon all the children in the village. Mr. Judson gradually recovered, +and found his situation much more comfortable than at Ava. But Mrs. +Judson, overcome by watchings, fatigue, miserable food, and still more +miserable lodgings, was attacked by one of the disorders of the country; +and though much debilitated, was obliged to set off in a cart for Ava to +procure medicines and suitable food. While there, her disorder increased +so fearfully in violence, that she gave up all hope of recovery, and was +only anxious to return and die near the prison. By the use of laudanum +she so far checked the disease, that she was able to get back to +Oung-pen-la, but in such a state that the cook whom she had left to +supply her place, and who came to help her out of the wretched cart in +which she had made part of the journey, was so overwhelmed by her +altered and emaciated appearance that he burst into tears. To this poor +cook she was indebted, during the next two months for everything, and +even for her life and that of those dearest to her. He would walk miles +to procure and carry food for the prisoners, then return to do +everything he could for Mrs. J. Though a Bengalee, he forgot his caste, +and hesitated not at any office or service which was required of him. It +was afterwards in their power amply to reward him for his labor of love, +and they never forgot their debt of gratitude. + +At this time poor little Maria was the greatest sufferer, and her +mother's anguish at seeing her distress while she was unable to relieve +it, was indescribable. Deprived of her natural food by her mother's +illness, while not a drop of milk could be procured in the village, her +cries were heart-rending. Sometimes Mr. Judson would prevail on his +keepers to let him carry the emaciated little creature around in his +arms, to beg nourishment from those mothers in the village who had young +children. Now indeed was the cup of misery full. While in health, the +active, ardent mind of Mrs. Judson bore up under trials, every new one +suggesting some ingenious expedient to lighten or avert it; but now to +see those cherished ones suffering, and be herself confined by sickness, +was almost too much to bear. + +It was about this time they learned the death of their enemy, whose +elevation to power was the cause of their removal from Ava, and whose +purpose in sending them to Oung-pen-la, was indeed their destruction. +Suspected of high-treason, and of embezzling public money, he was +executed without a moments delay. Another officer was appointed to +command the army, but with far less sanguine expectations of success. +After his death, the prisoners were released from the prison, and +conducted to Ava. The cause of the change was soon evident. Mr. Judson +was wanted to act as interpreter between the Burmese government and the +advancing army of the British. For six weeks he was kept in Maloun, +steadily at work in translating, and suffering as much as when in prison +except that he was not in irons. Mrs. Judson, who had remained at Ava, +was seized soon after he left her with spotted fever of the most +malignant character. She lost her reason, and for a long time was +insensible to everything around her. But she records with lively +gratitude, that just before her senses left her, a Portuguese woman had +unexpectedly come and offered herself as nurse to her little daughter; +and about the same time, Dr. Price, being released from prison, visited +her. He represents her situation to have been the most distressing he +ever witnessed, and he had no idea she could survive many hours. At one +time a Burmese neighbor, who had come in with others to see her die, +said "She is dead; and if the King of angels were to come in, he could +not recover her." Her head was shaved, blisters were applied to it and +to her feet, and she gradually revived; although the fever having run +seventeen days, she was of course a long time in recovering. + +While in this debilitated state, she learned through her servant that +his master had arrived in town, under the charge of several Burmans, and +that it was reported that he was to be sent back to the Oung-pen-la +prison. Being too weak to bear ill tidings, the shock had well nigh +destroyed her. When she had in some measure recovered her composure, she +sent Moung Ing to her old friend, the governor of the north gate, +begging him to make one more effort for Mr. Judson. Moung Ing then went +in search of 'the teacher,' and at length found him in an obscure +prison. Her feelings while he was gone, Mrs. Judson thus describes: + +"If ever I 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 _I will hear_, and thou +shalt glorify me;' and who made me at this time feel so powerfully this +promise, that I became quite composed, feeling assured that my prayers +would be answered." + +She afterwards learned that as soon as Mr. Judson was found of no +farther use at Maloun as interpreter he was transferred without ceremony +to Ava, where happening to meet no one who knew him, he was ordered to +be taken whence he came, when he went to Maloun, viz: Oung-pen-la. But +at the instance of, Mrs. Judson's faithful messenger, Moung Ing, the +governor of the north gate presented a petition to the high court of the +empire, became security for Mr. J., obtained his release, took him to +his house, and removed Mrs. Judson thither also as soon as her health +permitted. + +The English army, which had all along offered peace on condition of the +payment of a certain sum of money, offers which the Burmans had +constantly rejected, had now advanced so far as to threaten the golden +city itself. The Burmans were thus compelled to negotiate, and all their +negotiations from beginning to end, "were conducted by Drs. Judson and +Price, though they were often interrupted or entirely broken off by the +caprice and jealousy of the Burman monarch and his officers." The king +placing no confidence in the English, and having the most absurd ideas +of his power to force them to his own terms, sent messengers at every +stage of their advance to induce Sir Archibald Campbell to abate his +demands and alter his conditions. No pains was spared to fortify the +golden city, even while Dr. Price and other English prisoners were +engaged in the business of negotiation. Mrs. Judson had the pain of +seeing their house without beautiful enclosure of fruits and flowers, +entirely destroyed, to make a place for the erection of cannon. + +A new message now arrived from Sir Archibald. No smaller sum than the +one stipulated, (about five million dollars) would be received, but it +might be paid at four different times; the first payment to be made +within twelve days, or the army would continue its march. In addition, +the prisoners were to be given up immediately. The king, who had learned +the value of Mr. Judson's services, declared that those foreigners who +were not English, were his people, and should not go. The missionaries +were ordered to go again to the English camp, to propose to them to take +a third of the money and give up their demand for the missionaries; and +threatened that if unsuccessful in their embassy, they and their +families should suffer. + +Their situation was now truly perilous, for the Burman arrogance was at +this time heightened by the boast of one of their generals, that he +would so fortify the ancient city of Pugan, which lay in the route of +the British toward Ava, that they could never advance beyond it; and +that in fact he would destroy or drive them from the country. The +invincible English took the city, however, with perfect ease; and the +king being enraged that he had listened for a moment to the braggart, +and thus provoked the British officers, had him executed without +ceremony, and gave out that it was to punish him for violating his +command 'not to fight the English.' The same night, Dr. Price was sent +with part of the money, and some of the prisoners, but returned with the +alarming intelligence, that the general was angry, would not communicate +with him, and was marching upon Ava. + +All was now confusion in the palace; gold and silver vessels were melted +up, and the money weighed out; and Mr. Judson was hurried into a boat, +and sent to the British camp. He was instructed by the English general +that every foreigner who _wished_ to leave the country, must be +permitted to go, or peace would not be made. The members of government +now had recourse to solicitation, and promised to make Mr. Judson a +great man if he would remain. To avoid the oduim of expressing a wish to +leave his majesty's service, he told them that Sir Archibald had ordered +that all who desired it, should go; that his wife had often expressed +that desire, that she therefore must be given up, and that he must +follow. The prisoners were then all released, and on a cool moonlight +evening, with hearts overflowing with gratitude and joy, they took their +passage down the Irrawady, bidding a final adieu to the scene of their +sufferings, the _golden_ city of Ava. + +With what delight did they the next morning hail the sight of the +steamboat that was to conduct them to the British camp. "With what +unspeakable satisfaction did they again find themselves surrounded by +the comforts and refinements of civilized life." The kindness of General +Campbell was more like that of a father to his own family, than that of +a stranger to persons of another country. Indeed it was to him they owed +their final release from Ava, and the recovery of all their confiscated +property. Mrs. Judson thinks no people on earth were ever happier than +they were at that time; the very idea that they were free from Burman +treachery and tyranny, and under British protection, filling them with +gratitude and joy too exquisite for expression. "What shall we render to +the Lord for all his benefits to us," was the constant utterance of +their hearts. Peace was soon settled; they left the camp, and after an +absence of two years and three months were again in Rangoon. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +INFLUENCE OF THESE DISASTERS ON THE MISSIONARY ENTERPRISE.--TESTIMONIALS +TO MRS. JUDSON'S HEROIC CONDUCT.--LETTER FROM MR. JUDSON--HIS ACCEPTANCE +OF THE POST OF INTERPRETER TO CRAWFORD'S EMBASSY.--MRS. JUDSON'S +RESIDENCE AT AMHERST.--HER ILLNESS AND DEATH--DEATH OF HER INFANT. + + +Mrs. Judson concludes her long, melancholy, but most interesting letter +to her brother, as follows: "A review of our trip to and adventures in +Ava, suggests 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 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 Rangoon at the time I did, was instrumental in bringing those +heavy afflictions upon us, I can only state that if ever I acted from a +sense of duty in my life, it was at that time; for my conscience would +not allow me any peace, when I thought of sending for your brother to +Calcutta, in prospect of the approaching war. Our society at home have +lost no property on account of our difficulties; but two years of +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 have found 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." + +In reference to this timid and hesitating hope of some benefit which +_might possibly_ accrue to the cause of missions, from her terrible +experience, the remarks of Dr. Dowling in a recent work, are so +appropriate, that we will introduce them here. "Previous to the +commencement of these sufferings, though a few American Baptists were +partially awake to the salvation of the heathen, ... yet the +contributions for the mission were meagre, and the interest it had +excited was comparatively small. Something of a thrilling, exciting +character was needed to arouse the churches from their indifference and +lethargy; something that should touch their hearts, by showing them +somewhat of the nature and extent of the sacrifices made by those +devoted missionaries whom they were called upon to sustain by their +benefactions and their prayers. + +"Such a stimulus was afforded, when after two years of painful suspense, +during which it was not known whether the missionaries were dead or +alive, the touching recital of their unparalleled sufferings for +Christ's sake, and of their wonderful deliverance, at length burst like +an electric shock upon the American churches. And that shock has not yet +spent its force, as we have recently seen in the effect produced by the +simple, silent presence, in the assemblies of the saints, of the +venerated man of God, who can say with an Apostle--'I bear in my body +the scars of the Lord Jesus!'"[4] + +That worn veteran had but to arise in a Christian assembly, and a thrill +of sympathy was sent through the audience, and thousands upon thousands +of dollars were pledged on the spot to that cause which his silent +presence so powerfully advocated. + +Another consequence of the war, was to secure British toleration and +protection to a large territory, hitherto almost inaccessible to the +missionaries. Of this we shall speak more fully hereafter. + +Mrs. Judson proceeds: "We should have had no hesitation about remaining +at Ava, if no part of the Burman empire had been ceded to the British. +But as it was, we felt that it would be unnecessary exposure, besides +the missionary field being more limited in consequence of intoleration. +We now consider our future missionary prospects as bright indeed, and +our only anxiety is to be once more in that situation when our time +will be exclusively devoted to the instruction of the heathen. + +... "This letter, dreadful as are the scenes herein described, gives you +but a faint idea of the awful reality. The anguish, the agony of mind, +resulting from a thousand little circumstances impossible to delineate +on paper, can be known by those only who have been in similar +situations. Pray for us, my dear brother and sister, that these heavy +afflictions may not be in vain, but may be blessed to our spiritual +good, and the advancement of Christ's Church among the heathen." + + * * * * * + +The following is extracted from a tribute to Mrs. Judson which appeared +in a Calcutta paper, after the war. It was written by a fellow-prisoner +of Mr. J. + +"Mrs. Judson was the author of those eloquent and forcible appeals to +the government, which prepared them by degrees for submission to terms +of peace, never expected by any who knew the haughtiness 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 infirmity, and +almost every day visited us, sought out and administered to our wants, +and contributed in every way to alleviate our misery. + +"When we were all left by the government destitute of food, she, with +unwearied perseverance by some means or other, obtained for us a +constant supply. + +... "When the unfeeling avarice of our keepers confined us inside, or +made our feet fast in the stocks, she, like a ministering angel, never +ceased her applications to the government, until she was authorized to +communicate to us the grateful news of our enlargement, or of a respite +from our galling oppressions. + +"Besides all this, it was unquestionably owing, in a chief degree, to +the repeated eloquence and forcible appeals of Mrs. Judson, that the +untutored Burman was finally made willing to secure the welfare of his +country by a sincere peace." + +Well may Professor Gammell write of her: "History has not recorded, +poetry itself has seldom portrayed a more affecting exhibition of +Christian fortitude, of female heroism, and of all the noble and +generous qualities which constitute the dignity and glory of woman. In +the midst of sickness and danger, and every calamity which can crush the +human heart, she presented a character equal to the sternest trial, and +an address and a fertility of resources which gave her an ascendency +over the minds of her most cruel enemies, and alone saved the +missionaries and their fellow-captives from the terrible doom which +constantly awaited them." + +We will conclude this account of the terrible _two years_, by an extract +from a letter of Mr. Judson dated Rangoon, March 25, 1826. "Through the +kind interposition of our Heavenly Father, we have been preserved in the +most imminent danger, from the hand of the executioner, and in repeated +instances of most alarming illness, during my protracted imprisonment of +one year and seven months, nine months in three pairs of fetters, two +months in five, six months in one, and two months a prisoner at +large.... The disciples and inquirers have been dispersed in all +directions. Several are dead; Moung-Shwa-ba has been in the +mission-house through the whole, and Moung Ing with Mrs. Judson at +Ava.... I long for the time when we shall enjoy once more the stated +worship and ordinances of the Lord's house." + +"One result of the Burman war, was the acquisition by the British of +several provinces previously under the government of the King of Burmah. +Thus a safe asylum was provided for the missionaries, and for the +Christian natives where they might worship God in peace, under the +shelter of the English government." One of these provinces was fixed +upon as the seat of the mission, and the new town of Amherst was to be +the residence of the missionaries. Native Christian families began to +assemble there, and Mrs. Judson made vigorous preparations to open a +school. Mr. Crawford of the British Embassy after long solicitation, +succeeded in persuading Mr. Judson, that by accompanying him in the +capacity of interpreter to the court of Ava he might secure to the +mission certain advantages he had long had greatly at heart, and he +reluctantly consented to go. Leaving Mrs. Judson and her infant daughter +in the house of the civil superintendent at Amherst, he proceeded to the +Burman capital. The journey was every way unfortunate; attended with +long delays, and in its result, as far as Mr. Judson was concerned, +quite unsuccessful. But it was chiefly disastrous because it detained +him from the sick and dying bed of that devoted wife to whom he was +bound by every tie that can attach human hearts to each other; and +compelled her to end her troubled pilgrimage _alone_. That God who +"moves in a mysterious way," had ordered it that she who had lived +through appalling dangers and threatening deaths until her mission of +love toward those she had cherished so fondly was accomplished, was--now +that her trials seemed nearly ended, and the hopes of her heart +seemingly in a train of accomplishment--suddenly called from the scene +of her labors to that of her "exceeding great reward." It was as if a +noble ship after encountering storms and tempests, after being often +nearly wrecked, and as often saved almost by miracle, should when +already in port and in sight of anxious spectators, suddenly sink +forever. + +In a letter to the corresponding secretary, dated Ava, Dec. 7, 1826, Mr. +Judson writes: "The news of the death of my beloved wife, has not only +thrown a gloom over all my future prospects, but has forever embittered +the recollection of the present journey, in consequence of which I have +been absent from her dying bed, and prevented from affording the +spiritual comfort 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, and best of wives. I commend myself and +motherless child to your sympathy and prayers." + +From a letter from Mr. Judson to Mrs. Hasseltine we learn, that when he +parted from his wife, she was in good health and comfortably situated, +with happy prospects of a new field of missionary labor, and the +expectation of seeing her husband again in three or four months at +farthest. His last letter from her was dated the 14th of September. 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 convenient, and if you were here I should feel quite happy.... Poor +little Maria is still feeble.... When I ask her where Papa is, she +always starts up and points toward the sea. The servants behave very +well, and I have no trouble about anything except you and Maria. Pray +take care of yourself.... May God preserve and bless you, and restore +you again to your new and old home is the prayer of your affectionate +Ann." Another letter from a friend confirmed the statement with regard +to his wife's health, though it spoke unfavorably of that of the child. +"But," continues Mr. Judson, "my next communication 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 to my room, and opened the letter with a feeling of gratitude and +joy, that at any rate the mother was spared. It began thus: 'My dear +Sir,--To one who has suffered so much and with such exemplary fortitude, +there needs but little 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," +continues Mr. Judson, "I got through the dreadful letter and proceed to +give you the substance, as indelibly engraven on my heart." After +adding that her disease was a violent fever, which baffled the skill of +the physicians and after eighteen days carried her to the grave, he +continues: "You perceive 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 will not trouble you, my +dear mother, with an account of my own private feelings--the bitter, +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." + +After his return to Amherst, Mr. Judson writes: "Amid the desolation +that death has made, I take up my pen to address once more the mother of +my beloved Ann. I am sitting in the house she built--in the room where +she breathed her last--and at a window from which I see the tree that +stands at the head of her grave.... Mr. and Mrs. Wade are living in the +house, having arrived here about a month after Ann's death, and Mrs. W. +has taken charge of my poor motherless Maria.... When I arrived 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 only saw in the +arms of Mrs. Wade, a poor puny child, who could not recognize her +father, and from whose infant mind had long been erased all recollection +of the mother who loved her so much. She turned away from me in alarm, +and I, obliged 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 last we knelt in prayer, and +where we exchanged the parting kiss.... + +"It seems that her head was much affected and she said but little. She +sometimes complained thus: 'The teacher is long in coming, and the +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 you see.'... +When she could not 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 till its father should return. The last day or two she lay +almost senseless and motionless, on one side, her head reclining on her +arm, her eyes closed, and at eight in the evening, with one exclamation +of distress in the Burman language, she ceased to breathe." + +From the physician who attended her he afterwards learned that the fatal +termination of her disease, was chiefly owing to the weakness of her +constitution occasioned by the severe privations, and long-protracted +sufferings which she endured at Ava. "And oh!" adds her husband, "With +what meekness, patience magnanimity and Christian fortitude, she bore +those sufferings; and can I wish they had been less? Can I +sacriligiously wish to rob her crown of a single gem? Much she saw and +suffered of the evils 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 devoted zeal, and her perfect acquaintance with the language, 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 +infinite wisdom and love have presided, as ever, in this most afflicting +dispensation. Faith decides that all is right." + +To show that Mrs. Judson was already appreciated as she deserved by the +European society in Amherst, we will subjoin part of a letter from +Captain F. of that place to a friend in Rangoon: "I shall not attempt to +give you an account of the gloom which the death of this amiable woman +has thrown over our little society, you who were so well acquainted with +her, will feel her loss more deeply; but we had just known her long +enough to value her acquaintance as a blessing in this remote corner. I +dread the effect 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." + +In the _Calcutta Review_ of 1848, we find this noble tribute to her +memory: "Of Mrs. Judson little is known in the noisy world. Few +comparatively are acquainted with her name, few with her actions, but if +any woman since the first arrival of the white strangers on the shores +of India, has on that great theatre of war, stretching between the mouth +of the Irrawady and the borders of the Hindoo Kush, rightly earned for +herself the title of a heroine, Mrs. Judson has, by her doings and +sufferings, fairly earned the distinction--a distinction, be it said, +which her true woman's nature would have very little appreciated. Still +it is right that she should be honored by the world. Her sufferings were +far more unendurable, her heroism far more noble, than any which in more +recent times have been so much pitied and so much applauded; but she was +a simple missionary's wife, an American by birth, and she told her tale +with an artless modesty--writing only what it became her to write, +treating only of matters that became a woman. Her captivity, if so it +can be called, was voluntarily endured. She of her own free will shared +the sufferings of her husband, taking to herself no credit for anything +she did; putting her trust in God, and praying to him to strengthen her +human weakness. She was spared to breathe once again the free air of +liberty, but her troubles had done the work of death on her delicate +frame, and she was soon translated to heaven. She was the real heroine. +The annals in the East present us with no parallel." + +On the 26th of April, Mr. Judson writes, "My sweet little Maria lies by +the side of her fond mother. Her complaint proved incurable. The work of +death went forward, and after the usual process, excruciating to a +parent's feelings, she ceased to breathe on the 24th inst., at 3 o'clock +P.M., aged 2 years and 3 months. We then closed her faded eyes, and +bound up her discolored lips, and folded her little hands--the exact +pattern of her mother's--on her cold breast. The next morning we made +her last bed, under the hope tree, (Hopia,) in the small enclosure which +surrounds her mother's lonely grave." + +Many months later he wrote; "You ask many questions about our sufferings +at Ava, but how can I answer them now? There would be some pleasure in +reviewing those scenes if she were alive; now I can not. The only +reflection 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 +pittance which she had preserved through every risk to sustain her +fettered husband and famishing babe; no more exposed to lie on a bed of +languishment, 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. Her little son, his soul enlarged to angel's size, +was perhaps 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." ... "And when we all 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!" + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 4: Alluding to Dr. Judson's visit to America.] + + + + +PART II. + +THE LIFE OF SARAH B. JUDSON. + +SECOND WIFE OF + +REV. ADONIRAM JUDSON, D.D. + +(_Extract of a Letter from Mr. Judson._) + +"I exceedingly regret that there is no portrait of the second as of the +first Mrs. Judson. Her soft blue eyes, her mild aspect, her lovely face +and elegant form, have never been delineated on canvass. They must soon +pass away from the memory even of her children, but they will remain +forever enshrined in her husband's heart." + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +BIRTH AND EDUCATION.--POETICAL TALENT. + + +In an article in the _North American Review_ of 1835, we find the +following admirable sentiments: "It is impossible to peruse the written +life of any man or woman who has manifested great intellectual or moral +power, whether in a holy cause or an unholy one, without a strong +admiration and a deep sympathy, and a powerful impulse toward imitation. +The soul is awakened, the active powers are roused, the contemplation of +high achievement kindles emulation; and well would it be were the +character of those leading minds, which thus draw after them the mass of +mankind, always virtuous and noble. But in the vast majority of +instances, the leaders of mankind, are individuals whose principles and +motives the Christian must condemn, as hostile to the spirit of the +gospel. More precious therefore, is the example of that pious few who +have devoted themselves with pure hearts fervently, to the glory of God, +and the good of man, and whose energy of purpose, and firmness of +principle, and magnanimity in despising difficulty and danger, and +suffering and death, in the accomplishment of a noble end, rouse into +active admiration all who contemplate their glorious career." + +Such a 'glorious career' was that of the honored missionary whose life +has been sketched in the former part of this volume; and such too was +hers who forms the subject of the present memoir. Sarah B. Hall was the +eldest of thirteen children. Her parents were Ralph and Abiah Hall, who +removed during her infancy from Alstead, New Hampshire, the place of her +birth, to Salem, in the State of Massachusetts. Her parents not being +wealthy, she was early trained to those habits of industry, +thoughtfulness and self-denial which distinguished her through life. +Children so situated are sometimes pitied by those who consider +childhood as the proper season for careless mirth and reckless glee; but +they often form characters of solid excellence rarely possessed by those +to whom fortune has been more indulgent. Their struggle with obstacles +in the way of improvement, and final triumph over them, is an invaluable +preparation for the rude conflicts of life; their ingenuity is quickened +by the hourly necessity of expedients to meet emergencies, and the many +trials which are unavoidable in their circumstances, and which must be +met with energy and resolution, give habits of patient endurance, and +noble courage. + +From all the accounts which we have of her, Sarah must have been a most +engaging child. Gentle and affectionate in disposition, and persuasive +and winning in manners, there was yet an ardor and enthusiasm in her +character, combined with a quiet firmness and perseverance, that ensured +success in whatever she attempted, and gave promise of the lofty +excellence to which she afterwards attained. All who have sketched her +character notice one peculiarity--and it is one which commonly attends +high merit--her modest unobtrusiveness. + +She was very fond of little children, and easily won their affections; +but showed little disposition even in childhood, to mingle in the sports +of those of her own age. This arose from no want of cheerfulness in her +bosom; but from a certain thoughtfulness, and fondness for intellectual +exercises which were early developed in her character. + +Her principle, as well as her fondness for her mother, led her never to +shrink from what are termed domestic duties, but her heart was not in +them as it was in study and meditation. An illustration of this trait +was recently related by her brother. Sarah was repeating some lines on +the death of Nancy Cornelius, which attracted the attention of her +mother, who asked her where she had learned them. With some hesitation +the child confessed that she had composed them the day before, while +engaged in some domestic avocation, during which her unusual +abstracedness had been noticed. Her early poetical attempts evince +uncommon facility in versification; and talent, that if cultivated might +have placed her high in the ranks of those who have trod the flowery +paths of literature; but hers was a higher vocation; and poetry, which +was the delightful recreation of her childhood, and never utterly +neglected in her riper years, was never to her anything _more_ than a +recreation. + +Her effusions at the age of thirteen are truly remarkable, when we +consider the circumstances under which they were written. One, which is +given by her biographer as it was probably amended by the 'cultivated +taste of later years,' now lies before me as it was first written; and +the improved copy, though greatly superior in beauty to the first, seems +to me to lack the vigor and energy, which more than atone for the many +blemishes of the other. Our readers shall judge. We insert the +_childish_ composition; the other is to be found in her graceful memoir +by 'Fanny Forrester.' She calls it "a Versification of David's lament +over Saul and Jonathan." + + The 'beauty of Israel' forever is fled, + And low lie the noble and strong; + Ye daughters of music encircle the dead, + And chant the funereal song. + + O never let Gath know their sorrowful doom, + Nor Askelon hear of their fate; + Their daughters would scoff while we lay in the tomb, + The relics of Israel's great. + + As strong as young lions were they in the field; + Like eagles they never knew fear; + As dark autumn clouds were the studs of their shield, + And swifter than wind flew their spear. + + My brother, my friend, must I bid _thee_ adieu! + Ah yes, I behold thy deep wound-- + Thy bosom, once warm as my tears that fast flow, + Is colder than yonder clay mound. + + Ye mountains of Gilboa, never may dew + Descend on your verdure so green; + Loud thunder may roar, and fierce lightning may glow + But never let showers be seen. + + Your verdure may scorch in the bright blazing sun, + The night-blast may level your wood; + For beneath it, unhallowed, were broken and thrown + The arms of the chosen of God. + + Ye daughters of Israel, snatch from your brow + Those garlands of eglantine fair; + Let cypress and nightshade, the emblems of woe. + Be wreathed in your beautiful hair. + + Approach, and with sadness encircle the dead + And chant the funereal song-- + The 'beauty of Israel' forever is fled, + And low lie the noble and strong. + +Some other effusions, probably of a later date, we will here insert, +not only for their merit, but to show what those powers were which she +sacrificed, when she turned from the cultivation of her fancy to that of +her higher and nobler faculties. + + ENCAMPMENT OF ISRAELITES AT ELIM. + + "Slowly and sadly, through the desert waste, + The fainting tribes their dreary pathway traced; + Far as the eye could reach th' horizon round, + Did one vast sea of sand the vision bound. + No verdant shrub, nor murmuring brook was near, + The weary eye and sinking soul to cheer; + No fanning zephyr lent its cooling breath, + But all was silent as the sleep of death; + Their very footsteps fell all noiseless there + As stifled by the moveless, burning air; + And hope expired in many a fainting breast, + And many a tongue e'en Egypt's bondage blest. + Hark! through the silent waste, what murmur breaks? + What scene of beauty 'mid the desert wakes? + Oh! 'tis a fountain! shading trees are there. + And their cool freshness steals out on the air! + With eager haste the fainting pilgrims rush, + Where Elim's cool and sacred waters gush; + Prone on the bank, where murmuring fountains flow, + Their wearied, fainting, listless forms they throw, + Deep of the vivifying waters drink, + Then rest in peace and coolness on the brink, + While the soft zephyrs, and the fountain's flow, + Breathe their sweet lullaby in cadence low. + Oh! to the way-worn pilgrim's closing eyes, + How rare the beauty that about him lies! + Each leaf that quivers on the waving trees, + Each wave that swells and murmurs in the breeze, + Brings to his grateful heart a thrill of bliss, + And wakes each nerve to life and happiness. + When day's last flush had faded from the sky, + And night's calm glories rose upon the eye, + Sweet hymns of rapture through the palm-trees broke, + And the loud timbrels deep response awoke; + Rich, full of melody the concert ran, + Of praise to God, of gratitude in man, + While, as at intervals, the music fell, + Was heard, monotonous, the fountain's swell, + That in their rocky shrines, flowed murmuring there, + And song and coolness shed along the air; + Night mantled deeper, voices died away, + The deep-toned timbrel ceased its thrilling sway; + And there, beside, no other music gushing, + Were heard the solitary fountains rushing, + In melody their song around was shed, + And lulled the sleepers on their verdant bed." + + + "COME OVER AND HELP US." + + "Ye, on whom the glorious gospel, + Shines with beams serenely bright, + Pity the deluded nations, + Wrapped in shades of dismal night; + Ye, whose bosoms glow with rapture, + At the precious hopes they bear; + Ye, who know a Saviour's mercy, + Listen to our earnest prayer! + + See that race, deluded, blinded, + Bending at yon horrid shrine; + Madness pictured in their faces, + Emblems of the frantic mind; + They have never heard of Jesus, + Never to th' Eternal prayed; + Paths of death and woe they're treading, + Christian! Christian! come and aid! + + By that rending shriek of horror + Issuing from the flaming pile, + By the bursts of mirth that follow, + By that Brahmin's fiend-like smile + By the infant's piercing cry, + Drowned in Ganges' rolling wave; + By the mother's tearful eye, + Friends of Jesus, come and save! + + By that pilgrim, weak and hoary, + Wandering far from friends and home + Vainly seeking endless glory + At the false Mahomet's tomb; + By that blind, derided nation, + Murderers of the Son of God, + Christians, grant us our petition, + Ere we lie beneath the sod! + + By the Afric's hopes so wretched, + Which at death's approach shall fly + By the scalding tears that trickle + From the slave's wild sunken eye + By the terrors of that judgment, + Which shall fix our final doom; + Listen to our cry so earnest;-- + Friends of Jesus, come, oh, come + + By the martyrs' toils and sufferings, + By their patience, zeal, and love; + By the promise of the Mighty, + Bending from His throne above; + By the last command so precious, + Issued by the risen God; + Christians! Christians! come and help us, + Ere we lie beneath the sod!" + +Sarah, from her earliest years took great delight in reading. At four +years, says her brother, she could read readily in any common book. Her +rank in her classes in school was always high, and her teachers felt a +pleasure in instructing her. On one occasion, when about thirteen, she +was compelled to signify to the principal of a female seminary, that her +circumstances would no longer permit her to enjoy its advantages. The +teacher, unwilling to lose a pupil who was an honor to the school, and +who so highly appreciated its privileges, remonstrated with her upon her +intention, and finally prevailed on her to remain. Soon after she +commenced instructing a class of small children, and was thus enabled to +keep her situation in the seminary, without sacrificing her feelings of +independence. + +Her earliest journals, fragmentary as they are, disclose a zeal and +ardor in self-improvement exceedingly unusual. "My mother cannot spare +me to attend school this winter, but I have begun to pursue my studies +at home." Again: "My parents are not in a situation to send me to school +this summer, so I must make every exertion in my power to improve at +home." Again, in a note to a little friend, "I feel very anxious to +adopt some plan for our mutual improvement." How touching are these +simple expressions! How severely do they rebuke the apathy of thousands +of young persons, who allow golden opportunities of improvement to slip +away from then forever--opportunities which to Sarah Hall and such as +she, were of priceless value! Yet it is not one of the least of the +_compensations_ with which the providence of God abounds, that the very +lack of favorable circumstances is sometimes _most_ favorable to the +development of latent resources. Thus it was with Sarah. Her whole +career shows that her mind had been early trained and disciplined in +that noblest of all schools, the school of adverse fortune. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +CONVERSION.--BIAS TOWARD A MISSIONARY LIFE.--ACQUAINTANCE WITH MR. +BOARDMAN. + + +Amiable as she was, and conscientious in a degree not usual, Sarah knew +that "yet one thing she lacked;" and this knowledge often disquieted +her. But her first deep and decided convictions of sin, seem to have +been produced, about the year 1820, under the preaching of Mr. +Cornelius. Her struggles of mind were fearful, and she sunk almost to +the verge of despair; but hope dawned at last, and she was enabled to +consecrate her whole being to the service of her Maker. She soon after +united with the first Baptist church in Salem, under the care of Dr. +Bolles. + +The missionary spirit was early developed in her heart. Even before her +conversion, her mind was often exercised with sentiments of +commiseration for the situation of ignorant heathen and idolaters; and +after that event it was the leading idea of her life. + +The cause of this early bias is unknown, but it was shown in her +conversations, her letters and notes to friends, and in her early +poetical effusions. She even tremblingly investigated her own fitness +to became a vessel of mercy to the far off, perishing heathen; and then, +shrinking from what seemed to her the presumptuous thought, she gave +herself with new zeal to the work of benefitting these immediately +around her. "Shortly after her conversion," says her brother, "she +observed the destitute condition of the children in the neighborhood in +which she resided. With the assistance of some young friends as +teachers, she organized and continued through the favorable portions of +the year, a Sunday-school, of which she assumed the responsibility of +superintendent; and at the usual annual celebrations, she with her +teachers and scholars joined in the exercises which accompany that +festival." + +"It is my ardent desire," she writes to a friend, "that the glorious +work of reformation may extend till _every knee_ shall bow to the living +God. For this expected, this promised era, let us pray earnestly, +unceasingly, and with faith. How can I be so inactive, when I know that +thousands are perishing in this land of grace; and millions in other +lands are at this very moment kneeling before senseless idols!" + +And in her journal--"Sinners perishing all around me, and I almost +panting to tell the far _heathen_ of Christ! Surely this is wrong. I +will no longer indulge the vain foolish wish, but endeavor to be useful +in the position where Providence has placed me. I can _pray_ for +deluded idolaters, and for those who labor among them, and this is a +privilege indeed." + +This strong bias of her mind toward a missionary life, was well known to +her mother, who still remembers with a tender interest an incident +connected with it. Sarah had been deeply affected by the death of +Colman, who in the midst of his labors among the heathen, had suddenly +been called to his reward. Some time afterward she returned from an +evening meeting, and with a countenance radiant with joy, +announced--what her pastor had mentioned in the meeting--that a +successor to Colman had been found; _a young man in Maine named +Boardman_ had determined to raise and bear to pagan Burmah the standard +which had fallen from his dying hand. With that maternal instinct which +sometimes forebodes a future calamity however improbable, her mother +turned away from her daughter's joyous face, for the thought flashed +involuntarily through her mind, that the young missionary would seek as +a companion of his toils, a kindred spirit; and where would he find one +so congenial as the lovely being before her? + +Her fears were realized. Some lines written by "the enthusiastic Sarah" +on the death of Colman, met the eye of the "young man in Maine," who was +touched and interested by the spirit which breathes in them, and did +not rest till he had formed an acquaintance with their author. This +acquaintance was followed by an engagement; and in about two years +Sarah's ardent aspirations were gratified--she was a missionary to the +heathen. + +But we are anticipating events; and will close this chapter with +extracts from the "Lines on the death of Colman," of which we have +spoken. + + "'Tis the voice of deep sorrow from India's shore + The flower of our churches is withered, is dead, + The gem that shone brightly will sparkle no more, + And the tears of the Christian profusely are shed + Two youths of Columbia, with hearts glowing warm + Embarked on the billows far distant to rove, + To bear to the nations all wrapp'd in thick gloom, + The lamp of the gospel--the message of love. + But Wheelock now slumbers beneath the cold wave, + And Colman lies low in the dark cheerless grave. + Mourn, daughters of India, mourn! + The rays of that star, clear and bright, + That so sweetly on Arracan shone + Are shrouded in black clouds of night, + For Colman is gone! + + * * * * * + + Oh Colman! thy father weeps not o'er thy grave; + Thy heart riven mother ne'er sighs o'er thy dust; + But the long Indian grass o'er thy far tomb shall wave, + And the drops of the evening descend on the just. + Cold, silent and dark is thy narrow abode-- + But not long wilt thou sleep in that dwelling of gloom, + For soon shall be heard the great trump of our God + To summon all nations to hear their last doom; + A garland of amaranth then shall be thine, + And thy name on the martyrs' bright register shine. + O what glory will burst on thy view + When are placed by the Judge of the earth, + The flowers that in India grew + By thy care, in the never-pale wreath + Encircling thy brow! + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +ACCOUNT OF GEORGE DANA BOARDMAN. + + +We need offer no apology for turning aside from the immediate subject of +our narrative, in order to introduce to our readers one, who must +henceforth share with her our sympathy and our affection; we mean George +Dana Boardman--the successor to Colman spoken of in the last chapter. + +He was the son of a Baptist clergyman in Livermore, Maine, and was born +in 1801. Though feeble in body, he had an ardent thirst for knowledge, +which often made him conceal illness for fear of being detained from +school. At a suitable age, he was sent to an academy in North Yarmouth, +where he became distinguished for ardor in the pursuit of learning, and +fine mental powers. It is related, that he went through the Latin +grammar with surprising rapidity, and then expected to be allowed to use +the Lexicon, but was told he must go through the grammar once or twice +more. Disappointed, he returned to his seat, and in an hour or two was +called up to recite, when he repeated verbatim sixteen pages of the +grammar. His preceptor inquired if he had got more; he answered yes; and +on being asked how much, replied, "I can recite the whole book, sir, if +you wish!" He afterwards manifested equal power in mathematics. At +sixteen, he engaged in school-teaching, in order to obtain means for a +collegiate course--the great object of his ambition--and in this +employment he manifested a knowledge of human nature and of the +influences which control it, truly wonderful. The most turbulent and +disorderly schools, became, in his hands, models of system and +regularity. + +In 1819, when 18 years old, he entered Waterville College, Maine. He was +at this time a youth of good principles, inflexible purpose, strong +affections, and independent opinions, but had hitherto given no evidence +of piety. "But in this institution his thoughts were directed by a +variety of circumstances, to a consideration of the vast and important +topics of evangelical religion. His room-mate was a very pious and most +warm-hearted man. The officers of the college did all in their power to +elevate his thoughts and affections. In short, every external influence +with which a young man could be surrounded, was calculated to lead his +mind heavenward. Under the operation of these causes, he was by the +Spirit of God, induced to consecrate himself, soul, body, and spirit, to +religion; and in 1820, he made a public profession of his belief and +was baptized."[5] + +From his letters and journals, we find that he soon turned his thoughts +to the subject of missions. "In the winter of 1820," he says, "the +thought occurred to me that I could take my Bible, and travel through +new settlements where the Gospel was seldom or never heard, and _without +sustaining the name of a preacher_, could visit from hut to hut, and +tell the story of Jesus' dying love. Then in imagination, I could +welcome fatigue, hunger, cold, solitude, sickness and death, if I could +only win a few cottagers to my beloved Saviour." + +When the news of the death of Mr. Judson's fellow missionary, Colman, +reached America, his soul was filled with desire to supply the place of +that beloved laborer in the Burman field. Still his chief aim was to +leave the _place_ of his labors entirely to the guidance of Providence. +On graduating at college, he accepted the office of tutor in it for one +year, and so great was the promise of his future eminence, that the good +president predicted that he would, at a future day, preside over the +institution. But his heart was fixed on other labor, and as soon as his +engagement was completed, he hastened to offer his services to the Board +of Foreign Missions, and was at once accepted as a missionary. + +The parting scene between Boardman and his religious friends in +Waterville, who had assembled to bid him farewell is said by one present +on that occasion, to have been exceedingly touching. "The eye of +Boardman was alone undimmed by a tear. In a tender and yet unfaltering +tone he addressed a few words to his brethren. We all knelt down in +prayer together for the last time. On arising, Boardman passed round the +room, and gave to each his hand for the last time. His countenance was +serene, his mild blue eye beamed with benignity, and though there was in +his manner a tenderness which showed he had a heart to feel, yet there +was no visible emotion till he came to his room-mate. As he took _him_ +by the hand, his whole frame became convulsed, his eye filled, and the +tears fell fast, as if all the tender feelings of his spirit, till now +imprisoned, had at this moment broken forth--'farewell!' he faltered; +and then smiling through his tears, said, as he left the room, 'we shall +meet again in Heaven.'" + +He had expected immediately to leave America for Burmah, in the same +ship which was to take Mrs. Judson back to that country, but the Board +decided to detain him some time in this country for further preparation. +In June, 1823, he entered on theological studies in the seminary at +Andover, and employed all his leisure hours in reading those books in +the library which treated of the manners, customs, and religions of +heathen countries. + +In the spring of 1825 he was called to bid his country farewell. Natural +affection was strong, but the call of duty was stronger still. In a +letter he says, "If tenderness of feeling--if ardor of affection--if +attachment to friends, to Christian society and Christian privileges--if +apprehension of toil and danger in a missionary life--if an overwhelming +sense of responsibility could detain me in America, I should never go to +Burmah." And in his journal--"Welcome separations and farewells; welcome +tears; welcome last sad embraces; welcome pangs and griefs; only let me +go where my Saviour calls and goes himself; welcome toils, +disappointments, fatigues and sorrows; WELCOME AN EARLY GRAVE!" + + * * * * * + +It is easy to imagine that the sympathy and affection between two souls +constituted like Miss Hall's and Mr. Boardman's, both of whom were +warmed by the same zeal for the cause of Christ and the welfare of the +heathen, would be unusually strong; and indeed there is every evidence, +that from the time they became fully acquainted, the most tender +attachment subsisted between them. "You know," she wrote long afterward +to her mother, "how tenderly I loved him;" and to an intimate friend, he +said in a private conversation, "It was not the superiority of her +personal charms, though these were by no means small, but it was her +intrinsic excellence, heightened by her modest, unobtrusive spirit, that +endeared her to my heart." + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 5: North American Review.] + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +MARRIAGE OF MISS HALL AND MR. BOARDMAN.--THEY SAIL FOR INDIA.--LETTERS +FROM MR. B.--LETTERS FROM MRS. B.--ANOTHER LETTER FROM MR. B. + + +It was to no slight sacrifice that the parents of Sarah Hall were +summoned, when called to consent to her departure for Burmah. The eldest +of a large family--arrived at an age when she could not only share her +mother's duties and labors, but be to her a sympathizing +friend--possessed of every quality which could endear her to her +parents' hearts--emphatically their joy and pride--how could they resign +her--especially how could they consent to her life-long exile from her +native land; to end perchance in a cruel martyrdom on a heathen shore? +Can we wonder that the mother clinging to her daughter's neck, +exclaimed, "I cannot, cannot part with you!" or that the moment of +departure must arrive, before she could falter, "My child, _I hope_ I am +willing?" + +Her own feelings on leaving the home of her youth with him who was +henceforth to supply to her the place of all other friends, are +breathed in these graceful lines. + + "When far from those whose tender care + Protected me from ills when young; + And far from those who love to hear + Affection from a sister's tongue; + + When on a distant heathen shore, + The deep blue ocean I shall see; + And know the waves which hither bore + Our bark, have left me none but thee; + Perhaps a thought of childhood's days + Will cause a tear to dim my eye; + And fragments of forgotten lays + May wake the echo of a sigh. + Oh! wilt thou then forgive the tear? + Forgive the throbbings of my heart? + And point to those blest regions, where + Friends meet, and never, never part! + + And when shall come affliction's storm, + When some deep, unexpected grief + Shall pale my cheek, and waste my form, + Then wilt thou point to sweet relief? + + And wilt thou, then, with soothing voice, + Of Jesus' painful conflicts tell? + And bid my aching heart rejoice, + In these kind accents--'_All is well?_' + When blooming health and strength shall fly + And I the prey of sickness prove, + Oh! wilt thou watch with wakeful eye, + The dying pillow of thy love? + + And when the chilling hand of death + Shall lead me to my house in heaven + And to the damp, repulsive earth, + In cold embrace, this form be given; + Oh, need I ask thee, wilt thou then, + Upon each bright and pleasant eve, + Seek out the solitary glen, + To muse beside my lonely grave? + And while fond memory back shall steal, + To scenes and days forever fled; + Oh, let the veil of love conceal + The frailties of the sleeping dead. + + And thou may'st weep and thou may'st joy, + For 'pleasant is the joy of grief;' + And when thou look'st with tearful eye + To heaven, thy God will give relief. + + Wilt thou, then, kneel beside the sod + Of her who kneels with thee no more, + And give thy heart anew to God, + Who griefs unnumbered for thee bore? + And while on earth thy feet shall rove, + To scenes of bliss oft raise thine eye, + Where, all-absorbed in holy love, + I wait to hail thee to the sky." + +On the 3d of July, 1825, the marriage took place, Miss Hall being then +21 years old, and Mr. Boardman 24. His slender figure, and transparent +complexion, even then seemed to indicate that his mission on earth might +soon be fulfilled, but both he and his bride were young and sanguine, +and no misgivings for the future disturbed their happiness in each +other. Indeed the grief of parting with all they had ever loved and +cherished, though chastened by submission to what they believed the +Divine call, was sufficient to merge all lighter causes of anxiety. + +On the day following their marriage they left Salem for the place of +embarkation. They were to sail first to Calcutta, and if on reaching +there the troubles in Burmah should prevent their going at once to that +country, they were to remain in Calcutta, and apply themselves to the +acquisition of the Burman language. + +In expectation of their speedy departure, meetings for special prayer +were held at Boston, Salem, New York, and Philadelphia. The spirit which +animated these meetings, and breathed in all the supplications offered, +was indicative of deep interest in the mission, and of united and +determined resolution, by the grace of God to support it. Mr. and Mrs. +B. were everywhere received with the utmost kindness, and nothing was +withheld which could contribute to animate them in their arduous +undertaking, and render their future voyage pleasant and healthful. The +captain and other officers of the ship Asia in which they were to sail, +made the most ample provision for their comfort and accommodation, and +rendered them every attention in a manner most grateful to their +feelings. At a concert of prayer in Philadelphia, Mr. Boardman was +called upon to give a brief account to the audience of the motives which +had induced him to devote his life to the missionary service. In his +reply, he took occasion in the first place to acknowledge the goodness +of God to him through his whole life. When he entered Waterville +College--the first student ever admitted there not hopefully pious--his +fellow-students, impressed with this fact, solemnly engaged with each +other, unknown to him, to remember him in their supplications, until +their prayers for his conversion should be answered. Six months from +that time he found peace in believing, and his first prayer was that God +would make him useful. His mind was so impressed with the condition of +our Indian tribes, that he felt inclined to carry to them the message of +salvation. But his venerable father, whom he consulted as to his duty, +advised him "to wait on God, and He would conduct him in the right way." +After some time, his choice was decided in favor of the Burman mission +by such indications, that he considered his call to this service +distinctly and plainly marked. He adverted in a very tender manner to +some peculiar indications of Providence, especially to the manner in +which his parents received the knowledge of his determination. Their +remark was, _It has long been our desire to do something for the +mission; and if God will accept our son, we make the surrender with +cheerfulness_.[6] + +In reading this account, do we not feel emotions of moral sublimity in +contemplating these tender and aged parents, who, "moved with love for a +benevolent God, and for their fellow-creatures, surrender their son +bright with talents and virtues, rich in learning and in the respect of +all who knew him, but feeble and sickly in body, to the missionary +labor--whose certain and speedy end is death?"[7] + +Mrs. Boardman with her husband took her final leave of her beloved +native land on the 16th of July, 1825. To her sister, when two weeks out +at sea, she writes: "We think we never enjoyed better health. That +beneficent Parent, who is ever doing us good, has bestowed upon us, in +the officers of the ship, obliging and affectionate friends.... +Everything regarding our table, is convenient and agreeable as we could +enjoy on shore. Our family consists of the captain, two mates, two +supercargoes, a physician, Mrs. Fowler, and ourselves. Mr. Blaikie, the +chief supercargo, is not only a gentleman, but is decidedly pious, and +strictly evangelical in his sentiments.... It is a great comfort to each +of us to find one who is ever ready to converse upon those subjects +which relate to the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom. It is most +grateful to my own feelings, but I am even more rejoiced for the sake of +Mr. B. Religious society has ever been to him a source of much real +gratification. You know very well the love he has ever manifested for +social intercourse. When in America amidst our beloved friends, as I +have seen him enter with all his heart into conversation--have seen joy +beam from his eyes when engaged in this delightful employment--I would +sigh, and say to myself, dear Mr. B. how sad you will be when far +removed from those whose words now so often cheer your heart. What will +you do when this favorite rill of pleasure ceases to flow? But God is +infinitely good, he is far better to us than our fears. He bestows upon +us every blessing essential to our happiness and usefulness. It is not +the _want_ of privileges that I need lament, but the _misimprovement_ of +them." + +In another letter, she expresses her mature conviction that the +missionary life if entered upon with right feelings may be more +favorable than any other to the promotion of spiritual growth. And +certain it is, that trials, and even persecution often develop the power +of Christian principle, and the strength of religious faith; while ease +and outward prosperity seem to lull the souls of believers into an +unworthy sloth and a sinful conformity with the world around them. The +soldier of Christ must maintain a warfare; and when will he be more +likely to be constantly awake to his duty, than when surrounded by the +open and avowed enemies of his Master? + +From Chitpore four miles above Calcutta, Mr. Boardman writes: "It gives +me much pleasure to write you from the shores of India. Through the +goodness of God we arrived at Sand-Heads on the 23d ult., after a +voyage of 127 days. We were slow in our passage up the Hoogly, and did +not arrive in Calcutta until the 2d inst. We had a very agreeable +voyage,--religious service at meals, evening prayers in the cabin, and +when the weather allowed, public worship in the steerage on Lord's day +morning ... allow me to add that we entertain a hope that one of the +sailors was converted on the passage. + +"The report of our being at Sand-Heads reached Calcutta several days +before we did, and our friends had made kind preparations to receive us. +Soon after coming in sight of the city, we had the pleasure of welcoming +on board the Asia, the Rev. Mr. Hough. He informed us, that the Burmese +war was renewed after an armistice of several weeks, and that no +well-authenticated accounts had been received from our dear friends +Judson and Price at Ava. It is generally supposed that they are +imprisoned with other foreigners, and have not the means of sending +round to Bengal. + +"At noon, Dec. 2d, we came on shore, ... and were received very kindly +by the English Missionaries. We found Mrs. Colman waiting with a +carriage to bring us out to this place. The cottage we occupy was +formerly the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Eustace Carey. Mr. and Mrs. Wade, +Mrs. Colman, Mrs. Boardman and myself, compose a very happy American +family.... But we long to be laboring in Burmah. We are not yet +discouraged by the dark cloud that hangs over our prospects there. We +still hope and trust, _we firmly believe_, that eventually this war will +tend to advance the cause of Christ in Burmah. We hope our friends at +home will not be discouraged, but will continue to pray for us." + +In another letter he says, "And now, my dear parents, I wish you could +make a visit at Chitpore. You would find your two fond children sitting +together very happily, and engaged in writing letters to their beloved +American friends. Our mansion, to be sure, is but a bamboo cottage, with +a thatched roof, but is a palace compared with most of the native huts +around us. But you know a large house is by no means essential to +happiness. Food and clothing sufficient, with the presence of God, are +all that is absolutely necessary. Could a man have in addition, one +confidential friend, who sympathized in all his joys and sorrows, and +with whom he could enjoy all the endearments of social life, he might be +happy indeed--and such a friend, such a wife I have, in my beloved +Sarah. I fear I shall never be able to discharge the obligations I feel +toward you for conferring on me so great a blessing." + +Mrs. B. also writes to some acquaintances, "Unite with me, my respected +friends, in gratitude to God, that he has preserved us through the +dangers of a long voyage, and permitted us to land upon a heathen shore. +Oh may this renewed assurance of his kind care, teach me confidence in +his promises, and fill me with ardent desires to be constantly employed +in his service. + +"Our voyage was remarkably pleasant, our suffering from sea-sickness was +much lighter than we had anticipated; our accommodations, though by no +means handsome, convenient and comfortable as we could desire. Our table +was well furnished with the necessaries, and many of the luxuries of +life. Capt. Sheed, and the other gentlemen on board, treated us with the +greatest kindness, and appeared solicitous to make our situation +agreeable. In the society of Mr. Blaikie, the supercargo, we took much +delight. He is a gentleman of eminent piety, belonging to the +Presbyterian denomination. We had evening devotions in the cabin, ... +when the weather allowed we had divine service between decks on the +Sabbath. A precious privilege! + +"While at sea, my time was spent in a very agreeable, and I hope not +unprofitable manner.... The principal books I read besides the Bible, +were the life of Parsons, Lowth's lectures on Hebrew poetry, part of +Fuller's works, and of Jones' Church History. Supposing the study of the +word of God well calculated to prepare my mind for the missionary work, +I directed my chief attention to that. We had one very interesting +exercise,--during the week several of us collected as many passages of +scripture as we were able, upon a subject previously named; and on +Sabbath eve, we compared our separate lists, and conversed freely upon +the doctrine or duty concerning which we had written. In this manner we +discussed many of the most important doctrines and duties contained in +Scripture. + +As we drew near Calcutta, our anxiety respecting the fate of our dear +missionaries at Ava, increased. We trembled when we thought of the +disturbances in Burmah, and there was only one spot where we could find +peace and serenity of mind. That sweet spot was the throne of grace. +Thither we would often repair and lose all anxiety and fear respecting +our dear friends, our own future prospects, and the Missionary cause in +Burmah. It was sweet to commit all into the hands of God. If not +deceived, we felt the importance of constantly pleading for a suitable +frame of mind, to receive whatever intelligence was for us; and for a +disposition to engage in the service of God, at any time, and in any +place he might direct. We considered it our duty to supplicate for grace +to support us in the hour of trial, and for direction in time of +perplexity, rather than to employ our minds in anticipating the nature +of future difficulties, and in fancying how we should conduct in an +imagined perplexity. This is still our opinion." + +Then follows an account of their arrival, which we have already given in +Mr. Boardman's letter, and she adds: "Imagine, dear Mrs. B. our joy at +meeting those with whom we hope to be employed in labors of love among +the poor Burmans. I shall not attempt to describe the emotions of my +heart when I entered the little bamboo cottage we now occupy. Were I +skilled in perspective drawing, I would send you a picture of the +charming landscape seen from our verandah. In a little hut near us +reside two Christian converts from heathenism. Oh, how your bosom would +glow with grateful rapture to hear their songs of praise, and listen to +their fervent prayers. We prefer living in this retired spot with dear +Mr. and Mrs. Wade and Mrs. Colman, to a situation in Calcutta; we can +pursue our studies with less interruption, and also have the advantage +of Mr. Wade's assistance. + +"The war in Burmah still continues, and there is at present very little +prospect of our going to Rangoon soon. We still look to Burmah as our +earthly home, and daily pray that we may be permitted ere long to enter +that field of labor. We rejoice that we can commence the study of the +language here. We have not for an instant regretted that we embarked in +the undertaking." + +In another letter of a later date she writes from Calcutta: "In +compliance with the advice of our friends, we are now residing in a +pleasant little house in Calcutta. I regretted exceedingly to leave the +peaceful, retired shades of Chitpore for the noise and commotion of a +city, but duty appeared to require it"--(the climate at Chitpore is +insalubrious in the hot months) "and we all cheerfully submitted. I +feel, my dear friend, that we are wanderers. I can look to no place as +my earthly home, but Burmah.... We have not yet heard from the brethren +at Ava. Oh that our Father in Heaven may prepare our hearts for whatever +intelligence we may receive. + +"On Monday last, I attended the examination of Mrs. Colman's schools. +Imagine my feelings at seeing ninety-two little Bengallee girls, (whose +mothers are kept in the most degraded ignorance and superstition,) +taught to read the Scriptures.... This was only one division of the +schools. The whole number belonging to this Society is nearly four +hundred. There are also many other interesting schools in Calcutta. + +"Mr. and Mrs. Wade with Mr. B. and myself still compose our family; we +are very happy in each other, are blessed with excellent health, enjoy +facilities for learning the language, and in short, possess all we could +desire. We feel our want of ardent piety.... Pray for us, for we are +weak and sinful." + +A letter to one of her own family of about the same date, shows that +her zeal for the conversion of the heathen, did not at all weaken her +desire that her own kindred might be true followers of Jesus. After +mentioning that a Burman teacher had been procured for them, &c., she +says, "I often imagine myself in the midst of that dear family, where +the happy hours of childhood flew away. Sometimes I fancy myself +entering the room in the morning, and seeing you all kneeling around the +family altar. My brother, have you a heart to pray to God? Have you +repented and turned to him? Or are you all careless and indifferent +respecting your precious soul? No, I cannot believe this is the case. +Indulged as you are with hearing the gospel and other means of grace, +you cannot be indifferent. The time is coming when the religion of Jesus +will be indispensable to your peace of mind. You must pass through the +valley of death. How can you endure that gloom without the light of +God's countenance? you must stand before a righteous God at the judgment +day. What will be the state of your soul if Jesus is not your friend? +_Think of this._" + +A letter from Mrs. Wade written in the spring following, speaks with +enthusiasm of the pleasure they have enjoyed in the society of Mr. and +Mrs. B, and, like theirs, breathes ardent wishes to be able to go to +Burmah. These wishes were soon to be realized. A letter from Mr. +Boardman dated Calcutta, April 12th, 1826, commences: "My dear +Brother,--The joyful news of peace with Ava, and of the safety of our +friends Dr. and Mrs. Judson, and Dr. Price, you will doubtless receive +from other sources. We can only say that the preservation of our friends +both at Rangoon and at Ava, seems to us one of the most striking and +gracious displays of God's special care of his people and his cause, +which has been experienced in modern times. + +"Brother Wade and myself, with our beloved companions, expect to leave +Calcutta in six or eight weeks, to join brother Judson. As Rangoon is +not retained by the British, we do not think it best to recommence the +work there, but rather to settle in some of the towns which are by +treaty ceded to the British.... The members of the church in Rangoon are +collecting and will probably go with us. We need divine direction. + +"We have great reason to be thankful for the health we enjoy. We long to +proceed to Burmah and engage in the delightful work before us. May God's +strength be made perfect in our weakness." + +But his cherished enterprise was still longer delayed. By the +solicitation of the English missionaries, and the appointment of the +American Board, he was induced to remain in Calcutta a while, and preach +in Circular Road Chapel, recently vacated by the death of Mr. Lawson. +Mr. Wade and his wife reached Rangoon on the 9th of November, and found +there the desolate and heart-stricken Mr. Judson, and his feeble babe, +of whom Mrs. Wade was able for a brief period to supply the place of a +mother. + +The place fixed upon as the seat of government in the newly acquired +British territory in Burmah, was Amherst, on the Martaban river, about +75 miles eastward of Rangoon. This place had been laid out by British +engineers under Mr. Judson's direction, and in an incredibly short time, +became a city numbering in thousands of houses. In southern India, +houses are built almost in a day, and the population fluctuates from +place to place with a facility surprising to Europeans. It is only +necessary to make a clearing in the jungle, and erect barracks for a few +soldiers, and--as water rushes at once into hollows scooped in the damp +sea-sand--so do the natives of India swarm into the clearing, and create +a city.' To this new city of Amherst Mr. and Mrs. Boardman came in the +spring of 1827, and joined Mr. and Mrs. Wade and Mr. Judson. It was +bitterly painful to them to learn that the wife of the latter, that +noble and beloved woman whose life had been preserved as if by miracle +in a thousand dangers, and from whose society and intercourse they had +hoped and expected the greatest pleasure and profit, was the tenant of a +lowly grave beneath the hopia-tree; and even more immediately +distressing to find that her heart-broken husband was just about to +consign to the same dreary bed the only relic remaining to him of his +once lovely family, 'the sweet little Maria.' One of Mr. Boardman's +first labors in Burmah was to make a coffin for the child with his own +hands! and to assist in its burial. Poor babe! 'so closed its brief, +eventful history.' An innocent sharer in the terrible sufferings of its +parents, in the midst of which indeed it came into the world; like its +mother, it had survived through countless threatening deaths, and +reached what seemed a haven of security, only to wring its father's +heart with an intenser pang, by its unexpected and untimely death. Truly +the ways of God 'are past finding out,' and 'his judgments are a great +deep!' + +From a short poem full of sympathy and pious sentiment which was written +by Mrs. Boardman on this occasion, we select some passages. + + "Ah this is death, my innocent! 'tis he + Whose chilling hand has touched thy tender frame. + + * * * * * + + Thou heed'st us not; not e'en the bursting sob + Of thy dear father, now can pierce thine ear. + + * * * * * + + 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 toil, her sufferings and her death. + But all is over now. She sweetly sleeps + In yonder new-made grave; and thou, sweet babe, + Shalt soon be pillowed on her quiet breast. + Yes, ere to-morrow's sun shall gild the west, + Thy father shall have said a long adieu + To the last lingering hope of earthly joy; + For thou, Maria, wilt have found thy rest. + Thy flesh shall rest in hope, till that great day + When He who once endured far greater woes + Than mortal man can know; who when on earth + Received such little children in his arms, + Graciously blessing them, shall come again; + Then like the glorious body of thy Lord + Who wakes thy dust, this fragile frame shall be. + Then shalt thou mount with him on angels' wings + Be freed from sorrow, sickness, sin and death. + And in his presence find eternal bliss." + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 6: Baptist Magazine, 1825.] + +[Footnote 7: North American Review.] + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +STATIONED AT MAULMAIN.--ATTACK OF BANDITTI.--MISSIONARY +OPERATIONS.--DANGER FROM FIRE. + + +On consultation it was determined that Mr. and Mrs. Wade should remain +in Amherst, and that Mr. and Mrs. Boardman should proceed to Maulmain, a +town 25 miles up the river, which had sprung into being in the same +manner as Amherst, and was nearly as populous; and that Mr. Judson +should divide his time between the two stations. + +In pursuance of this plan Mr. Boardman removed his family, which had +been increased by the addition of a lovely daughter, now about five +months old, to the new city of Maulmain. On the evening of May 28th Mr. +Boardman makes this entry in his journal. "After nearly two years of +wanderings without any certain dwelling-place, we have to-day become +inhabitants of a little spot of earth, and have entered a house which we +call our earthly home. None but those who have been in similar +circumstances can conceive the satisfaction we now enjoy." ... "The +population of the town is supposed to be 20,000. _One year ago it was +all a thick jungle, without an inhabitant_!" + +While at Amherst, Mrs. Boardman had experienced an alarming attack of a +disease incident to the climate, and had to be carried to the boat which +conveyed her to her new home on a litter. On her arrival there, although +she shared her husband's joy that at length they had a home on the long +_promised land_ of Burmah, still her woman's nature, enfeebled by +suffering, could not but have trembled at the idea of living in a lonely +spot, (for the mission-house was nearly a mile from the barracks,) with +the neighboring jungle swarming with "serpents that hiss, and beasts of +prey that howl." In addition to this cause of alarm, there was opposite +them, on the Burman side of the river, the old decayed city of Martaban; +which was the refuge of a horde of banditti, who, armed with knives and +swords, would often sally forth in bands of 30 or 40, urge their light +and noiseless boats across the river, satiate themselves with plunder +and murder in the British town, and return with their spoils to their +own territory, where they were secure from British retaliation. The +English general, knowing the insecurity of the mission-house, had urged +Mr. B. to remove with his family to the protection of the fort; but his +object was to benefit the _Burmans_, and to do that, he must live among +them. + +In their little bamboo hut, therefore, so frail that it could be cut +open, as Mrs. Boardman says, with a pair of scissors, they prosecuted +their study of the language under a native teacher, and even ventured to +talk a little with the half-wild natives around them, and for a few +weeks were unmolested. Their courage and confidence had revived, and +with Mrs. B., restored health brought happiness. June 20th she writes, +"We are in excellent health, and as happy as it is possible for human +beings to be upon earth. It is our earnest desire to live, labor and die +among this people." With such feelings, they had probably retired to +rest on the night of the 24th of June, but awaking towards morning, and +perceiving that the lamp which they always kept burning through the +night was extinguished, they suspected mischief; and on relighting it, +they found to their consternation that their house had been entered by +the lawless plunderers mentioned above, and robbed of nearly every +valuable article it contained; but how was their horror increased, by +finding two large cuts in the moscheto curtains about their bed, through +which the murderers had watched their slumbers, ready to stab them to +the heart had they offered the slightest resistance, or even had they +waked to consciousness. But He who "giveth his beloved sleep," had +kindly steeped their senses in slumbers so profound and peaceful, that +not even the infant stirred, or opened its eyes which would have +instantly been sealed again,--in death.--Every trunk, box and bureau was +rifled, looking-glass, watch, spoons, keys, were gone; and yet as the +parents gazed at those rent curtains, and thought how the death-angel +had grazed them with his wing as he passed by, their hearts rose in +gratitude and praise to their Heavenly deliverer. But Mrs. Boardman's +feelings are best told in her own expressive words. She says, "After the +first amazement had a little subsided, I raised my eyes to the curtains +surrounding our bed, and to my indescribable emotion saw two large holes +cut, the one at the head, and the other at the foot of the place where +my dear husband had been sleeping. From that moment, I quite forgot the +stolen goods, and thought only of the treasure that was spared. In +imagination I saw the assassins with their horrid weapons standing by +our bedside, ready to do their worst had we been permitted to wake. Oh +how merciful was that watchful Providence which prolonged those powerful +slumbers of that night, not allowing even the infant at my bosom to open +its eyes at so critical a moment. If ever gratitude glowed in my bosom, +if ever the world appeared to me worthless as vanity, and if ever I +wished to dedicate myself, my husband, my babe, my _all_, to our great +Redeemer, it was at that time. + +"To this day not a trace of our goods has been found; leaving no doubt +that they were taken immediately over the river to Martaban. Since our +loss, we have received many kind presents from our friends, so that we +now find ourselves comfortable, and we are contented and happy. Yes, my +beloved friend, I think I can say, that notwithstanding our alarms, +never did five months of my life pass as pleasantly as the last five +have done. The thought of being among this people whom we have so long +desired to see, and the hope that God would enable me to do some little +good to the poor heathen, has rejoiced and encouraged my heart. I +confess that once or twice my natural timidity has _for a moment_ gained +ascendancy over my better feelings,--and at the hour of midnight, when +the howlings of wild beasts have been silenced by the report of a musket +near us, we would say to each other, perhaps the next attack will be +made upon _us_, and the next charge may be aimed at our bosoms. Then I +have been almost ready to exclaim, Oh for one little, _little_ room of +such materials, that we could, as far as human means go, sleep in +safety. But these fears have been transitory, and we have generally been +enabled to place our confidence in the Great Shepherd of Israel who +never slumbers or sleeps, assured that he would protect us.... And we +have also felt a sweet composure in the reflection that God has marked +out our way; and if it best accord with his designs that we fall a prey +to these blood-thirsty monsters, _all will be right_." + +The English, hearing of this robbery, stationed a guard at the +Mission-house of two sepoys or native soldiers. As one of these was +sitting in the verandah, a wild beast from the jungle sprang furiously +upon him, but he was frightened away before the man was much injured. +Such occurrences however were rare, and did not make Mrs. Boardman +desire, all things considered, to change her residence She was in the +place of her choice, the country of her adoption, she had a faithful and +loving husband, and a lovely and almost idolized babe; their house, +though small and insecure, was beautifully situated with everything in +the natural landscape around to charm her cultivated eye and +taste,--these were her _earthly_ comforts. Besides, even the insecurity +of their habitation was daily diminishing; for houses were constantly +springing up around them, and more and more of the jungle was cleared +and cultivated. But what gave its chief zest to her life and that of her +spiritually minded husband, was the fact that they found here a field of +_usefulness_ in the only work that seemed to them worth living for. From +various motives the natives began to visit them constantly, and in +increasing numbers, to inquire concerning the new religion. Mr. B. held +a religious service on the Sabbath, and opened a school for boys: Mrs. +Boardman, one for girls, and both conversed as well as they were able +with their numerous visitors, and employed all their leisure in +mastering the language. On the 22d of July they commemorated together +the Saviour's dying love, in the sacrament of the Lord's supper,--a +solitary pair--yet not so, for the Master of the feast was there to +bless the "two" who thus "gathered together in his name." + +The population at Maulmain was now increasing, and that at Amherst +diminishing so rapidly, that Mr. Judson and Mr. and Mrs. Wade thought +best to remove from the latter station to the former, and arrived at +Maulmain in October. Two houses of public worship were erected during +the year, where Messrs. Judson and Wade were daily employed in +proclaiming religious truth, and such was their success, that within a +few months they admitted to the church several native members. As many +native converts with their families had removed with the Missionaries +from Amherst to Maulmain, Mrs. Wade and Mrs. Boardman united their +schools into one, which was attended with the most gratifying success. +Moung Shwa-ba and Moung Ing, who have often been mentioned in the former +memoir, read the Scriptures and other religious books to all who would +hear, at a sort of _reading zayat_, built for the purpose. + +In March, 1828, our friends were delivered from a danger not unknown in +our own country. One evening, they were startled by a roaring like that +of flame, and on going to the door, discovered the whole jungle to the +eastward of them enveloped in sheets of flame, which was rapidly +approaching their frail cottage. Seeing no hope that their house could +escape, they rapidly collected a few valuables, and with their infant +prepared to flee towards the river, though in much terror lest their +path should be beset by leopards, tigers, and other animals, driven from +their haunts by the fire. But when within a few feet of the houses, the +flames were arrested by a sudden change of the wind, and the dwellings +were unhurt. "Thus again are we preserved," says Mr. B. "when no human +arm could have saved us!" Truly, + + "The hosts of God encamp around + The dwellings of the just." + +Truly "the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly." + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +REMOVAL TO TAVOY.--IDOLATRY OF THE PEOPLE.--LETTER FROM MRS. B.--BAPTISM +OF A KAREN DISCIPLE.--SOME ACCOUNT OF THE KARENS. + + +The permanent collection of so many Missionaries at a single station was +not approved by the Board, nor was it deemed desirable by the +Missionaries themselves. In accordance, therefore, with instructions +received from America, it was decided that Mr. and Mrs. Boardman should +remove to Tavoy. This city is situated on the river Tavoy, 150 miles +south of Maulmain, and had at that time a population of 6000 Burmans and +3000 foreigners. + +The city was the stronghold of the religion of Gaudama, and the +residence of two hundred priests. + +On every eligible point stood an emblem or image of idolatry. Tall +pagodas crowned every eminence, and humbler ones clustered around them, +while thickly set groves of banyan and other sacred trees, sheltered +shrines and images of Gaudama, and on festival days were crowded with +devotees, kneeling in the gloomy pathways, or festooning the sacred +trees with the rarest flowers. The tops of some of the thousand pagodas +in the city, are hung with innumerable little bells, which, moved by the +wind, chime sweetly their calls to devotion, reminding one of a passage +in Moore's description of an eastern city: + + "But hark! the vesper call to prayer, + --As slow the orb of daylight sets,-- + Is rising sweetly on the air + From Syria's thousand minarets." + +This change in their place of abode could not fail to be a severe trial +to our missionaries. To Maulmain they were bound by many ties,--the +sweet companionship of fellow-Christians, and the love which attaches +the missionary to those spiritual children which the Lord has given +him;--moreover it was their first _home_, sanctified by signal +deliverances and countless mercies;--nevertheless, like Abraham who at +the call of Jehovah, "went out, not knowing whither he went,"--these +"followers of them who through faith inherit the promises," obeyed the +voice of duty, and feeling themselves "strangers and pilgrims on the +earth," went without murmuring to their new sphere of labor. "One thing +is certain," says Mr. B. in a subsequent letter "we were brought here by +the guidance of Providence. It was no favorite scheme of ours." + +On arriving at Tavoy, they were kindly received by Mr. Burney the +English resident, and within ten days from their arrival, had procured +a house, and begun to teach inquirers in the way of salvation Much as +there was to discourage them in this _city of pagoda_, "the missionary +looked out on the strange magnificence of shrines and temples that lay +around him,--upon the monuments that had perpetuated for many ages this +idolatrous worship,--upon the priests who taught it, and the countless +devotees who practised it; and as he prepared to strike the first blow +at the hoary superstition which they all enshrined, he felt to the full +the sublimity and greatness of the undertaking. He stood alone, the +herald of truth, before this mighty array of ancient error; but he +trusted implicitly in the promises of revelation, and felt assured that +the day was at hand when all this empty adoration of Gaudama would give +place to the worship of the living God!"[8] + +A new difficulty occurred here, which however was speedily surmounted by +the diligence and zeal of the missionaries; the dialect of Tavoy was so +different from pure Burmese as to be almost unintelligible to those who +knew only the latter, but both, fortunately, employed the same written +characters. Mrs. Boardman's employments at this time are enumerated in +their letters. After unwearied toil, and repeated repulses and +discouragements, she succeeded in establishing a girls' school, in +which she employed a woman who could read, as an assistant. She +describes a visit to her school thus: "I am just returned from one of +the day-schools. The sun had not risen when I arrived, but the little +girls were in the house ready for instruction. My walk to this school is +through a retired road, shaded on one side by the old wall of the city, +which is overgrown with wild creepers and pole-flowers, and on the other +by large fruit-trees. While going and returning, I find it sweet and +profitable to think on the shortness of time, the vanity of this +delusive world,--and oh I have had some precious views of that world +where the weary are at rest; and where sin, that enemy of God, and now +constant disturber of my peace, will no more afflict me." + +In another letter of a later date, she describes herself as sitting at +her table in a back porch, from which she can see her "dear husband," in +a room before her, teaching nine little heathen boys; while in one of +the long verandahs on each side of the house, the native Christians are +holding a prayer-meeting in their own language, and in the other, a +Chinese convert is urging three or four of his deluded countrymen to +turn from their stupid superstitions to the service of Jehovah. + +She mentions also the baptism of a _Karen_, (the name of a tribe in +Burmah,) "a _poor man_, who had been converted while in the service of +Mr. Judson;" little knowing the importance of the fact thus recorded. +This "poor man," in fact formerly a slave, and whom the writer of an +article in a former number of the _Quarterly Review_ would have sneered +at as he did at the "fisherman," the _wonderful trophy of divine grace_, +mentioned in Mrs. Judson's history of the mission, was the famous +Ko-thay-byu, whose life has been written by Mr. Mason, and who, by his +zeal and success in missionary labor, obtained the name of "the Karen +Apostle." He was the first to introduce to the notice of the +missionaries, the tribe to which he belonged, a people so remarkable, +that we are unwilling, even in our brief sketch, to pass them over +without notice. + +The Karens, according to a writer in the _North American Review_, are a +savage and ignorant race of men, (their _name_ in the Burman language +signifying _wild men_,) scattered in vast numbers over the wilds of +Farther India, and inhabiting almost inaccessible tracts, among the +mountains and forests. Their peculiar physiognomy, strange traditions, +and some of their customs have led to the opinion that they were of +Hebrew origin, though some think they are of the Caucasian variety of +the human species. They differ much from the Burmans, by whom they are +heavily taxed and grievously oppressed, and in every way treated as +inferiors.[9] "Their traditions have been preserved, like the poems of +Ossian, by fond memories delighting to revive the recollections of +former glory and prosperity; repeated by grandsires at even-tide to +their listening descendants, and sung by mourners over the graves of +their elders. + +"They believe in a God who is denominated Yu-wah," a name certainly +similar to the Hebrew Jehovah. Some of their traditional songs are +curious and interesting. For instance, + + "God created us in ancient time, + And has a perfect knowledge of all things; + When men call his name, _he hears_!" + +And again + + "The sons of heaven are holy, + They sit by the seat of God, + The sons of heaven are righteous, + They dwell together with God; + They lean against his silver seat." + +The following stanza, says the writer above referred to, might be +mistaken for the production of David or Isaiah. + + "Satan in days of old was holy, + But he transgressed God's law; + Satan of old was righteous, + But he departed from the law of God, + And God drove him away." + +They say that God formerly loved their nation, but on account of their +wickedness he punished it, and made them the degraded creatures they now +are. But they say "God will again have mercy upon us, God will save us +again." One verse of one of their songs is, + + "When the Karen king arrives + Everything will be happy; + When Karens have a king + Wild beasts will lose their savageness." + +Professor Gammell says, in substance, that they present the +extraordinary phenomenon of a people without any form of religion or +established priesthood, yet believing in God, and in future retribution, +and cherishing and transmitting from age to age a set of traditions of +unusual purity, and containing bright predictions of future prosperity +and glory. + +When Ko-thay-byu, the poor convert already mentioned, was baptized, he +naturally carried to his countrymen "the thrilling news, that a teacher +from a far distant land had come to preach a new religion, a religion +answering to the religion of their fathers." Others came to listen, and +to carry back to their secluded hamlets the joyful tidings; until "from +distant hills and remote valleys and forests, Karen inquirers flocked to +Tavoy, and thronged around _the teacher_;" listening to the new +doctrines with childlike simplicity and uncommon sensibility. Among +other singular stories that they related to the wondering "teacher," +one was, that more than ten years before, a book in a strange tongue had +been left among them by a foreigner, who commanded them to worship it; +which command they had faithfully obeyed. Mr. Boardman felt the +strongest curiosity to see this _deified book_, but owing to the +prevalence of the rains, he was not gratified till the following +September. He was then waited on by a large deputation of Karens, +bringing with them in a covered basket, the mysterious volume, wrapped +in fold after fold of muslin; on removing which it proved to be an +Oxford edition of the Common Prayer Book in the English language! With +the greatest simplicity they asked Mr. B. if this book contained the +doctrines of the new religion, and if so, requested to be taught its +contents. Mr. B. assured them that the book was good, but should by no +means be made an object of worship; and accepting it from them, he gave +them in its stead, portions of the Scriptures, translated into a +language they could understand. They entreated him to visit them in +their own villages, assuring him of the readiness of their tribe to +welcome him, and to receive the gospel; and, struck with their +earnestness and candor, he promised at some future time to yield to +their request. + +The sorcerer who had preserved the book, and prescribed to the simple +heathen the forms of its worship, threw away his cudgel, or wand of +office, and laid aside his fantastic dress; and Mr. Boardman sent the +mysterious volume to America, to be deposited in the museum of the +Baptist Missionary Society. + +Who the "foreigner" may have been, that thus supplied an ignorant people +with a Divinity, or object of worship; or what were his motives in so +doing, will probably always remain a mystery. + +If we have devoted considerable space to this notice of the Karens, +their subsequent history will prove that they are not unworthy of such +notice. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 8: Gammell.] + +[Footnote 9: See Gammell.] + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +LETTER FROM MRS. B.--MR. B.'S VISIT TO THE KARENS IN THEIR +VILLAGES.--DEFECTION OF DISCIPLES.--ITS EFFECT ON MR. AND MRS. B. + + +Extract of a letter from Mrs. Boardman to a "beloved sister," dated +Tavoy, 1828.--"Nothing especial has occurred since I last wrote. We are +still in good health, and happy in our work. We are now destitute of all +religious society, and feel that our responsibilities are great +indeed.... We have to suffer many little inconveniences in this country, +but have no disposition to complain. We rejoice in the kind providence +that has directed our steps, and would not exchange our condition. Our +desire is to labor among the poor heathen until called to our eternal +home." She then, with characteristic earnestness and affection, inquires +after her sister's spiritual state. "Oh if you are a child of God, how +great is your happiness; you can think of death without fear. The +troubles and griefs of life do not distress you as they do the poor +worldling, who looks only to the enjoyments of this life for comfort. If +a Christian, you have sweet foretastes of that joy which is unspeakable +and inconceivable by mortals. Though a sinner still, you feel that your +sins are pardoned, and that through the merits of a crucified Saviour +you will at last be accepted of God. I would fondly hope, my dear +sister, that this is your happy case. But if not, oh who can tell your +dreadful danger? Who can paint the alarming prospect before you? Every +moment exposed to death, and yet without hope. Subject to +disappointments and afflictions in this world, and yet no refuge for +your anguished spirit. The weight of sins daily accumulating, and every +day less prospect of obtaining pardon. The awful prospect of eternal +banishment from all that is holy, oh my sister, reflect.... If you have +not yet turned to the Saviour, delay no longer.... Oh may you, and all +my beloved brothers and sisters, be early brought to a knowledge of the +truth. I cannot express the anxiety I feel for every one of you. I also +feel the solicitude of a tender sister for your temporal good. Write me +particulars of the health of my dear parents, grand-parents, and each of +my brothers and sisters. Though separated from you, I always wish to +share your joys and sorrows. + +"Your little niece is in charming health. She sends many kisses to you +all, and I shall teach her to love you, though she cannot see you." + +We have inserted this letter, which in its spirit is a specimen of all +her letters, not only for its, intrinsic excellence, but to show that +even in distant Burmah, and surrounded by cares and duties which would +have diminished in a less affectionate breast her interest in her +distant relatives, + + "Her heart untravelled fondly turned to" them, + "And dragged at each remove a lengthening chain." + +While laboring for the conversion of pagans, she felt more than she had +ever felt before, the awful danger of those who under the full blaze of +gospel light, choose to walk in darkness; and for her family, her dear +brothers and sisters, her burden was almost like that of the apostle who +was, as it were, willing to give up his own title to the heavenly +inheritance, if by so doing he could save his "kindred according to the +flesh."[10] All her letters which we have been privileged to see, bear +evidence of this. + +In December of the year 1828, Mrs. Boardman was called to a trial which +of all others was most fitted to make her feel that every earthly +dependence is at best but a broken reed, and that + + "The spider's most attenuated thread + Is cord, is cable, to our strongest hold + On earthly bliss; it breaks with every breeze." + +Her almost idolized husband, her guide, her only human support, +protector, and companion, was attacked by that insidious and incurable +malady which was destined at no distant day to close his career of +usefulness on earth, and send him early to his reward. A copious +hemorrhage from the lungs warned him that his time for earthly labor was +short, and seemed to increase his desire to work while his day lasted. +As soon as his strength was sufficiently restored after his first +attack, namely, in February 1829, he resolved to fulfil his +long-cherished intention to visit the Karens in their native villages. +He took with him two Karens, two of his scholars, and a servant. +Females, who in this country of order and security, tremble at the idea +of being left for one night alone in their strong and guarded dwellings, +may perhaps conceive the feelings of Mrs. Boardman on being thus left by +her protector.--Her own health scarce re-established after a four +months' illness,--her mind agitated by fears for her stricken husband, +who under burning suns, and amid unknown wilds, exposed to the fury of +the sudden thunder-gust, and the wild beast of the jungles, must be +absent from her, perhaps, two or three dreary weeks in which time not +one "cordial, endearing report" from him, would reach her;--in her frail +hut, and with two little ones dearer to her than life, exposed to the +same dangers as herself,--what could support her in such circumstances +but her faith in that arm whose strength is shown to be "perfect, in +weakness?" A poor Karen woman, seeing her distress, tried to console +her: "Weep not, mama," she said; "the teacher has gone on an errand of +compassion to my poor perishing countrymen. They have never heard of the +true God, and the love of his Son Jesus Christ, who died upon he cross +to save sinners. They know nothing of the true religion, mama; and when +they die they cannot go to the golden country of the blessed. God will +take care of the teacher; do not weep, mama." Blessed faith in an +omnipresent Heavenly Father! It gives even the unlettered Karen +disciple, an eloquence in consolation, to which worldly philosophy is a +stranger. + +Mr. Boardman's journey, though perilous from the causes above mentioned, +and tedious from being performed on foot, was highly interesting on +account of the eager welcome, and abundant hospitality of the +simple-minded Karen villagers whom he visited. On entering a village, he +and his little caravan were overwhelmed with presents of provisions and +fruits; and the inhabitants would exclaim, while their countenances +beamed with delight, "Ah, you have come _at last_; we have long wanted +to see you!" He travelled more than one hundred miles, often through +unfrequented and toilsome paths among the mountains, and was three times +drenched with powerful rains, from which he had no sufficient shelter; +but by the aid of an interpreter he preached seventeen sermons, and was +cheered by finding the readiness of the people to receive his doctrines +far exceed his most sanguine expectations. On his return, both he and +Mrs. Boardman had to experience an affliction extremely trying to the +heart of a missionary; the defection of some of the Christian converts. +Their sensitive spirits led Mr. and Mrs. B. to fear that their own +unfaithfulness might have been the cause of the fall of their disciples. +Mrs. Boardman's self-upbraidings were bitter; her humiliation deep and +sincere. "Our hearts," she says, "have bled with anguish, and mine has +sunk lower than the grave, for I have felt that my unworthiness has been +the cause of all our calamities." + +So keen were her self-rebukes at this time, that they break out even in +her letters to her friends. In one of them she writes: "Some of these +poor Burmans, who are daily carried to the grave, may at last reproach +me and say, you came, it is true, to the city where we dwelt, to tell of +heaven and hell, but wasted much, much of your precious time in +indolence while learning our language. And when you were able to speak, +why were you not incessantly telling us of this day of doom, when we +visited you? Why, oh why did you ever speak of any other thing, while we +were ignorant of this most momentous of all truths? How could you think +on anything but our salvation?... You told us you knew of a Being that +heard your lowest whispers, and most secret sighs--why then, did you +not, day and night, entreat him in our behalf?" Mr. Boardman in his +journal says, "My dear wife became at this time so deeply impressed with +divine things, and particularly with a sense of her own sinfulness, that +she had no rest night or day. We both endeavored to return to the Lord +from whom we had strayed; but our path, especially that of Mrs. B. led +hard by the borders of despair.... We confessed our sins to the Lord and +to one another. We considered ourselves worthy to be trodden under foot +of men, and were astonished to think of our pride and selfishness.... We +were filled with the most distressing views of our utter sinfulness in +the sight of a holy God." + +Thus was this affliction, though "grievous," beginning to work out in +her heart its "peaceable fruit of righteousness," by deepening her +humility, quickening her zeal, and leading her to a more thorough +consecration of herself to the work she had undertaken. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 10: Romans ix. 3.] + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +DEATH OF THEIR FIRST-BORN.--LETTERS FROM MRS. B. + + +In the spring of 1829 Mr. Boardman and his family made a short +sea-voyage for the benefit of their health, Mrs. Boardman having +experienced another attack of illness, and their little George being +frail and puny. Indeed none of the family seemed to have been healthy +but the "plump, rosy-cheeked" first-born, the darling Sarah, her +mother's joy and pride, and--as her Heavenly Father saw--her _idol_ too! +Terrible was the stroke that shattered that lovely idol; but it came--so +faith assured her--from a father's hand. Sometime afterward she writes, +"My ever dear Sister, I think I have not written you since the death of +our beloved Sarah, which is nearly eight months ago. I have never +delayed writing to you so long before. For some time after her death, +little George was apparently near the grave, and I was confined to my +bed for a number of weeks. As soon as my health was a little improved, +the rebellion at Tavoy took place, which threw us all into confusion, +and this lasted until I was taken ill again about three months since. +From this illness I am but just recovering. So you see, my beloved +sister, my outward circumstances have been sufficient to prevent my +writing. Nor is this all--for some time after little Sarah's departure, +I was too much distressed to write; I felt assured that God had taken +her away from us in love, and was also assured, that she is a happy +angel in heaven; but oh the thought that we should see her no more on +earth, filled me with _indescribable sorrow_. By degrees my mind became +calmer; not that I forgot her, but I feel, my dear Harriet, that the +dearest and sweetest pleasures of this life are empty and altogether +unsatisfying. I do not look for comfort from these sources as I formerly +did. We have a fine, healthy boy, but I do not allow myself to idolize +him as I did his dear departed sister. In her dissolution, we saw such a +wreck of what was most lovely and beautiful, that it seems as if we +should be kept in future from 'worshipping the creature.'" + +Particulars respecting the child's illness and death are given in +another letter of nearly the same date. "Our little Sarah left us July +8th of last year--aged 2 years and 8 months.... She was a singularly +lovely child. Her bright blue eyes, yellow hair, and rosy cheeks, formed +a striking contrast to the dark little faces around her.... From the +time she began to notice anything, we were the objects of her fondest +love. If she thought she had incurred our displeasure, her tender heart +seemed ready to burst; and she could not rest for a moment until she had +said she was 'sorry,' and obtained the kiss of forgiveness. She had +learned to obey us implicitly.... If either of us were ill, she would +stroke our foreheads with her little soft hand, and kiss us _so_ +affectionately! Her love to her little brother George was unlimited. +From the day of his birth till the day but one before she died, he was +her idol.... Three days before she died, she was lying uneasily in a +large swing cradle, and George was in the same room crying. We thought +it might soothe the little sufferer, for he also was very ill, to lay +him down beside Sarah. The proposal delighted her; with smiles she threw +open her little arms and for the last time held her darling brother in +her fond embrace. So great was her gratification at this privilege, that +she seemed to forget her own pains. + +"Little Sarah spoke English remarkably well for so young a child, and +Burmese like a native; she could also say some things in the Hindostanee +and Karen, and what seems a little singular, she never confounded two +languages, but always spoke pure English to us, and pure Burmese to +Burmans. This discrimination continued as long as she had the powers of +speech. She had learned the Lord's prayer and several little hymns. Dr. +Judson's lines on the death of Mee Shawayee she knew by heart in +Burmese, and used to chant them for half an hour at a time.... These +things may seem very trivial to you, but I muse upon them by the hour +together; and it is only when I call my cooler judgment into action, +that I can make myself believe they are uninteresting to any person on +earth. I love to think of my sweet bud of immortality expanding so +beautifully in my own presence; and fancy I can judge in some small +degree of the brilliancy of the perfect flower, from these little +developments. + +"A few hours before she died, she called us to her, kissed us, and +passed her dear hand, still full and dimpled as in health, softly over +our faces. The pupils of her eyes were so dilated that she could not see +us distinctly, and once, for a moment or two, her mind seemed to be +wandering; then looking anxiously into my face, she said: 'I frightened, +mamma! I frightened!' ... Oh with what feelings did I wash and dress her +lovely form for the last time, and compose her perfect little limbs; and +then see her--the dear child that had so long lain in my bosom--borne +away to her newly-made grave. My heart grew faint when I thought that I +had performed for her my last office of love; that she would never need +a mother's hand again. + +My dear husband performed the funeral service with an aching, though +not desponding heart. The grave is in our own enclosure, about fifteen +rods from the house--a beautiful retired spot, in a grove of +Gangau-trees. Near it is a little Bethel, erected for private devotion. +Thither we have often repaired; and we trust that God, who in his +infinite wisdom had taken our treasure to himself, often meets us +there." + +The biographer of Mrs. Boardman--since her successor in the +mission--mentions that a single speculative error had crept into her +religious faith, on the subject of God's particular providence--that +while contemplating the vastness of that agency + + "That ever busy wheels the silent spheres," + +she had almost thought it derogatory to the "Majesty of heaven and +earth" to conceive of him as occupied with our mean affairs, numbering +the hairs of our heads, and guiding the sparrow's fall. But the blow +which crushed her heart, destroyed its skepticism. She saw so clearly in +this dispensation, the hand of a Father chastening his erring child; she +felt so keenly that she deserved the rod, for having in a measure +worshipped the gift more than the giver, that she _believed_, with all +the strength of an irresistible conviction, that even so lowly a thing +as her own heart was indeed a theatre for the constant display of her +Maker's guiding and controlling power, not less than the starry +heavens; that her own sanctification, and the providential means to +effect it, even in their minutest details, were ordered by sovereign +grace and wisdom; and from this time forth she never doubted again. + +But it is time to detail the spirit-stirring scenes that occurred a few +months after the death of the child; to which scenes allusion was made +in the first of her two letters. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +REVOLT OF TAVOY.--LETTERS FROM MRS. B. + + +The revolt of Tavoy from the British government, and its consequences to +the missionaries and other foreigners in the city, are so well described +in a letter from Mr. Boardman to a friend in America, that we will give +it nearly entire. + + "REV. AND DEAR SIR, + + "The province of Tavoy has engaged in an open revolt against the + British government. On Lord's day morning, the 9th inst. at 4 + o'clock, we were aroused from our quiet slumbers by the cry of + 'Teacher, master, Tavoy rebels,' and ringing at all our doors and + windows. We were soon awake to our extreme danger, as we heard not + only a continual report of musketry within the town, but the balls + were frequently passing over our heads and _through our house_; and + in a few moments, a large company of Tavoyans collected near our + gate, and gave us reason to suspect they were consulting what to do + with us. We lifted our hearts to God for protection, and Mrs. + Boardman and little George were hurried away through a back door + to a retired building in the rear. I lay down in the house, (to + escape the bullets,) with a single Burman boy, to watch and + communicate the first intelligence After an hour of the greatest + anxiety and uncertainty I had the happiness of seeing the sepoys + (troops in the British service) in possession of the city gates in + front of our house. We soon ascertained that a party of about 250 + men had in the first instance attacked the powder magazine and + gun-shed, which were very near our house, but a guard of sepoys had + repelled them. This was a great mercy, for had the insurgents + obtained the arms and ammunition, our situation would have been + most deplorable. A second party of 60 had attacked the house of the + principal native officer of the town, while a third party had + fallen upon the guard of the prison, and let loose all the + prisoners, one hundred in number, who, as soon as their irons were + knocked off, became the most desperate of all the insurgents." ... + + The commissioner of the province was absent at Maulmain, but his + lady, Mrs. Burney, urged their immediate removal to the government + house. They hesitated at first, thinking the rebellion might soon + be quelled; but hearing from a rebel prisoner that the whole + province was engaged in the insurrection, and that large + reinforcements might be hourly expected to join the rebels, and + finding that the Mission premises from their situation, were likely + to be the very battleground of the contending parties,--after + seeking Divine direction, they concluded to abandon them. He + continues his narrative, "We caught up a few light articles on + which we could lay our hands, and with the native Christians, fled + as if for our lives. I visited the house once or twice after this, + and saved a few clothes and papers, but the firing being near, + rendered it hazardous to remain, and the last time I went, I found + the house had been plundered. A large part of our books, furniture + and clothes, which had remained behind were either taken away or + destroyed. + + "We had been at the government house but a short time, when it was + agreed to evacuate the town and retire to the wharf. In the hurry + of our second removal, many things which we had brought from our + house, were necessarily left, to fall into the hands of the + plunderers. We soon found ourselves at the wharf,--a large wooden + building of six rooms, into which, besides the Europeans, were + huddled all the sepoys with their baggage and ours, and several + hundreds of women and children belonging to Portuguese and others, + who looked to the English for protection. Our greatest danger at + this time arose from having in one of the rooms where many were to + sleep, and all of us were continually passing, several hundred + barrels of gunpowder, to which if fire should be communicated + accidentally by ourselves, or mischievously by others, we should + all perish at once. The next danger was from the rebels, who if + they could either rush upon us, or take us by surprise or + stratagem, would doubtless massacre us all on the spot. We lifted + up our hearts to God, and he heard us from his holy habitation. We + were preserved in safety through the night, though anxious and + sleepless. All our attempts to communicate intelligence of our + situation to the people in Maulmain and Mergui were defeated, and + the heavy rains soon affected the health of the sepoys. We had but + a small supply of rice in the granary near the wharf, and that was + continually in danger of being destroyed or burnt. But through the + kind care of our Heavenly Father, we were preserved alive, and + nothing of great importance occurred until the morning of Thursday, + a little before day-break, when a party of 500 advanced upon us + from the town, and set fire to several houses and vessels near the + wharf. But God interposed in our behalf, and sent a heavy shower of + rain, which extinguished the fire while the sepoys repelled the + assailants. + + "At breakfast the same morning we had the happiness of seeing the + Diana steam-vessel coming up the river, with Major Burney on board. + Our hearts bounded with gratitude to God. It was soon agreed that + the Diana should return immediately to Maulmain for a reinforcement + of troops, and Major Burney had the kindness to offer a passage for + Mrs. Boardman and our family together with his own. After looking + to God for direction, I concluded to remain behind, partly in + compliance with Major Burney's advice and desire, but particularly + in the hope of being useful as an interpreter and negotiator, and a + preventer of bloodshed. With painful pleasure I took a hasty leave + of my dear family, and in the evening the Diana left us, not + however without having several shots from cannon or jinjals fired + at her from the people on the city wall. The English forces, small + and weak and sick as they were, were now throwing up breast-works; + and on Saturday the 15th inst. it was agreed to make an attack on + the town, in order if possible to take from the walls the large + guns that bore upon us, and to try the strength of the rebel party. + I stood at the post of observation with a spy-glass to watch and + give the earliest notice of the event, and soon had the pleasure of + announcing that the officers and sepoys had scaled the walls, and + were pitching down outside the large guns, that were mounted there, + while friendly Chinese were employed in carrying them to the wharf. + The success was complete, and nothing remained but to rescue the + prisoners (60 in number) whom the rebels had caught and confined. + After a short cessation and a little refreshment, a second attack + was made, during which the prisoners escaped and the rebels + evacuated the city. A second battery of guns was also taken and + brought to the wharf. In the morning we walked at large through the + town; but what desolation, what barbarous destruction was + everywhere exhibited! everything that could not be carried away had + been cut and destroyed in the most wanton manner. Our own house was + cut to pieces, our books cut scattered, torn and destroyed; our + furniture either carried off, or cut, or broken in pieces, and the + house itself and zayat converted into cook-houses and barracks. + During the last three days, we have been picking up the scattered + fragments of our furniture, books, &c. and repairing our house. + + "Nga-Dah, the ringleader of the rebellion, and eleven of his + principal adherents, have been caught. The inhabitants are coming + in with white flags and occupying their houses. The bazaar is open, + and the work of repairs is going on. + + "Yesterday morning the Diana arrived with a reinforcement of + European soldiers; and to-day I have come on board, expecting to + proceed to Maulmain immediately. My present plan is, if my brethren + approve, to return with my family, and resume our missionary labors + as before. The native members of our church, now scattered, will + probably come into town as soon as they hear of our return. Of the + boarding scholars, all are with us except three Karens. + + "My letter is already protracted to so great a length, that I can + only add that our preservation and deliverance from such imminent + danger, should awaken in our hearts the warmest gratitude to our + Heavenly Father, and the most unwavering confidence in his kind + care; and that the foregoing account should revive and deepen the + impression made by previous events in the history of this mission, + that we stand in need of the continual and fervent prayers of + Christians in America, not only for our preservation, but for + divine guidance in all our affairs. + + "I remain, yours, + + "G.D. Boardman + + "P.S. _Saturday Morning, August 22d._--I have just arrived at + Maulmain, and have the happiness to find my family and missionary + friends in comfortable health. Praised be the Lord for his + goodness. + + "_Aug. 29th._--After much deliberation, it is thought best that I + should leave my family here, till affairs are more settled.... I + expect to embark for Tavoy to-morrow morning. May the spirit of all + grace go with me!" + +This is a "plain unvarnished" account of the terrible scene through +which the missionaries were so wonderfully preserved, but to understand +more fully their imminent peril we should know, that the town, at the +time of the revolt, was almost defenceless. The English civil and +military chief absent; the officer in command on his death-bed; no +English troops in the town, and but about a hundred sepoys, who though +trained to British modes of warfare are by no means equal in skill or +valor to British troops; and the chief engineer disabled by +sickness;--the Tavoyans had well chosen the time of their attack, and +they were sufficiently numerous to have carried all their plans into +execution; but the result, like that of all conflicts between civilized +and barbarous men, shows how greatly superior a few troops, well +disciplined, are to the most numerous bodies of men, unacquainted with +the art of war. + +But what could be more appalling to the stoutest heart, than the +situation of Mrs. Boardman and her helpless family! Forced to flee from +her frail hut, by bullets actually whizzing through it, and to pass +through the town amid the yells of an infuriated rabble, her path +sometimes impeded by the dead bodies of men who had fallen in the +conflict: driven from the shelter of the government house, again to fly +through the streets to the wharf-house; and there, with three or four +hundred fugitives crowded together, to await death which threatened them +in every form,--hearing over their heads the rush of cannon balls, and +seeing from burning buildings showers of sparks falling, one of which, +if it reached the magazines under their roof, was sufficient to tear the +building from its foundations and whelm them all in one common ruin,--or +if they escaped this danger, to know that hundreds of merciless +barbarians with knives and cutlasses might at any moment rush into the +building and destroy them;--can the _female_ heart, we are ready to ask, +_endure_ such fearful trial? + + "Perchance her reason stoops, or reels; + Perchance a courage not her own + Braces her mind to desperate tone," + +Yes, her mind was stayed by a "courage not her own," but it was "braced" +to no "desperate tone;" rather its calmness was that of a child, who, in +its own utter helplessness, clings to its father's arm, and feels +secure. Neither must we forget that a painful diversion of her thoughts +from the terrors around her, was afforded by the necessities of her +suffering babe, to whom the foul air of the wharf-house, and the want of +all comforts, had nearly proved fatal. It was only her sleepless, +vigilant care, that, under Providence, prevented the poor child from +sharing the fate of Mrs. Burney's little infant, which did not survive +the dreadful scene. + +And with what transports of joy did this suffering company hail the +sight of the thin blue smoke that heralded the arrival of a steamer +from Maulmain! Amid what distracting fears for her husband, left in the +revolted city, her infant and herself, did Mrs. Boardman decide to go on +board the steamer returning to Maulmain! And with what gratitude and joy +did she, after several days of painful suspense, welcome to the same +city, her husband, and hear the tidings of the triumph of British power, +and the restoration of tranquillity! In her happiness at meeting him +alive, she noticed not that his late exposure and sufferings had +increased to an alarming degree the symptoms of his dreadful malady. +Inspired with something of his own enthusiasm, she saw him depart, to +return to his beloved labors in Tavoy, whither she hoped and expected +soon to follow him. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +MISSIONARY LABORS OF MR. BOARDMAN--HIS ILL HEALTH.--LETTER FROM MRS. +B.--DEATH OF A SECOND CHILD.--LETTERS FROM MRS. B. + + +From Mr. Boardman's journal we learn that he remained through the summer +and part of the autumn at Tavoy, diligently prosecuting his labors among +the Burmese, Chinese, Karens, and Europeans, among all which classes he +had singular success. In the meantime Mrs. Boardman continued at +Maulmain, part of the time suffering from illness, and when able, +assisting the missionaries there, until October, when she returned again +to Tavoy. The animated and even glowing recital, given by Mr. Boardman +in his journals and letters of this year, of the spread of gospel truth +among the natives; his records of preaching, travelling, teaching and +baptisms, would lead one to suppose that he was in the enjoyment of the +most vigorous health, and that his frame was insensible to fatigue. But +careless as he was of his own bodily ease, there was an eye that watched +him with the intensest solicitude; a heart that was pierced with +anxiety, knowing that though "the inner man was renewed day by day," +the outer man was too surely "perishing," and would soon be laid aside, +forever. + +On the 29th of July, 1830, Mrs. Boardman writes to her sister from +Maulmain, whither they had gone for the benefit of her children's +health: "We must look beyond this frail fleeting world for our true +peace. Alas, I know by most bitter experience, that it is in vain to +seek for true happiness here below. My fondest earthly hopes have again +and again been dashed. Torn from the bosom of my dear father's family, +my heart was almost broken; and when I stood by the death-bed of my +sweet, my lovely Sarah, I felt indeed that earthly hopes and joys are +but a dream. But a _darker cloud_ hangs over me. Oh what desolation and +anguish of spirit do I feel, when I think it is possible that in a few +more months, my earthly guide, supporter, and delight, may be no +more!... He has a cough which has been hanging about him a year, and he +is very much reduced by it.... Oh my sister, let us see to it that our +affections are set on things above." + +Such "desolation and anguish of spirit" as she here describes, had her +husband felt for _her_ in the preceding year, when for some months +before and after the birth of her second son she lay struggling with a +dangerous disease, which he thought would surely terminate her life. At +that time he wrote: "She still grows weaker, and her case is now more +alarming. Should our friends for whom I have sent to Maulmain come even +immediately, I can scarcely hope for their arrival before the crisis, or +probably, fatal termination of my dear partner's disorder. My comfort in +my present affliction is the thought, that if to our former trials, the +Lord sees fit to add that of removing my beloved companion, he does it +with a perfect knowledge of all the blessedness which death will confer +on _her_, and of all the sorrows and distresses which her loss will +occasion her bereaved husband and orphan children, in our present +peculiar condition. It affords me great relief to have been assured by +her that the bitterness of death is past, and that heavenly glories have +been unfolded in a wonderful and unexpected manner to her view." And +again he says, seemingly losing for a moment his strong confidence, +"What will become of my children, what will become of the schools--of +the poor native women--what will become of _me_, if she die?" But she +recovered, and "his thankfulness knew no bounds, his letters are +eloquent in their utterance of joy and praise." + +In a letter of Dec. 2, 1830, Mrs. Boardman records another affliction. +"God has come very near to us and wounded our hearts afresh. Our +youngest child, aged 8 months, went from us to meet his sainted sister, +in September last. We mourn, but not without hope; for we shall soon be +in that blissful world--be pure and lovely like our departed ones in +glory." And Mr. Boardman says: "Our hearts have been pierced anew by the +loss of our dear babe.... He was 8 months old, and though generally +feeble, one of the most lovely and interesting of babes. The Lord has +dealt with us severely, but not unkindly. He gave and he hath taken +away." + +Both these devoted missionaries knew, however, that the best defence +against such trials as they endured, is found in a steady performance of +duty. In trouble as well as in joy, they devoted themselves to their +great object--saving souls.--How different from those who make a sort of +merit of "indulging the luxury of grief;" and show their regard for the +memory of the dead by neglecting their duties to the living! +Christianity, while it inculcates and fosters the tenderest sensibility +to the chastisements of our heavenly Parent, never allows us in any +calamity, to fold our hands in inactive despair. Our pathway is filled +with duties; and, + + "Heart within, and God o'er head," + +we must, like our Master, "go about doing good," though we may feel +"cast down, pressed out of measure," by affliction. + +Speaking of a severe illness about this time, Mr. Boardman says: "Death +seemed near, ... but had no alarms, no terrors.... My beloved family and +the perishing heathen, were all that made me in the least degree +unwilling to die. And even them I could resign to the hands of a +gracious and covenant-keeping God." In one of the last letters he ever +wrote, he thus records his testimony to the devotedness of his beloved +wife. "During my present protracted illness, and when I was at the worst +stage, she was the tenderest, most assiduous, attentive and affectionate +of nurses. Without her, I think I should have finished my career in a +few days. And even when our lamented, darling babe lay struggling in the +very arms of death, though she was with him constantly, night and day, +she did not allow me to suffer one moment, for lack of her attentions. I +cannot write what I feel on this tender subject. But oh what kindness in +our Heavenly Father, that when her services were so much needed, her +health was preserved, and she had strength given her to perform her +arduous labors." + +Mr. Boardman's life was now fast ebbing away. In September, 1830, he had +written a sort of farewell to his parents, brothers and sisters, from +which it appears that even then he was daily looking for the +summons--"Come up hither." He says of this letter that it is his last +farewell. He thanks God that he has his complaint--consumption--in its +mildest form. He enumerates many circumstances of mercy with which he is +favored; and adds: "But most of all for outward comfort, I have my +beloved wife, whose most untiring assiduity has mitigated many of my +pains, and who is ever prompt to render all the services that the purest +affection can dictate, or the greatest sufferings require. And it +deserves to be mentioned that she has never been so free from missionary +and family cares, or from attacks of illness, as during the last three +months, while I have most needed her kind and soothing attentions. Bless +the Lord oh my soul, and praise his name!" + +"In thinking," he adds, "on the probability of dying soon, two or three +things occasion considerable unwillingness to meet the solemn event. One +is, the sore affliction I know it will occasion to my dear family, +especially my fond, too fond wife. Her heart will be well-nigh riven. +But I must leave her with Him who is anointed to heal the broken-hearted +and to bind up their wounds. My dear little son is too young to remember +me long, or to realize his loss. I have prayed for him many times, and +can leave him in my Heavenly Father's hands.... Then there are the +perishing heathens around me.... During the last ten years, I have +studied with more or less reference to being useful to the heathen. And +now, if just as I am beginning to be qualified to labor a little among +them my days are cut short, much of my study and preparation seems to +be in vain. But I chide myself for saying so or thinking so. If I had +done no good whatever here in Burmah, I ought to submit and be still +under the hand of God, ... but I trust He has made me of some service to +a few poor benighted souls, especially among the Karens, who shall be my +glory and joy in the day of the Lord Jesus." "As to my hope and my +confidence of acceptance with God, if any man has reason to renounce all +his own righteousness, ... and to trust entirely and solely to grace, +sovereign grace, flowing through an atoning Saviour, I am that man. A +perfectly right action, with perfectly right motives, I never performed, +and never shall perform, till freed from this body of sin. An +unprofitable servant, is the most appropriate epitaph for my +tombstone." + +Thus appeared a life of self-denying sacrifices for Christ, when shone +upon by the pure light of eternity. Happy then that the dying man could +say, "NOT by works of righteousness which we have done but by his +mercy he saves us!" + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +LETTER FROM MRS. BOARDMAN.--ILLNESS AND DEATH OF GEORGE DANA BOARDMAN. + + + "Tavoy, March 7, 1831. + + "My beloved Parents, + + "With a heart glowing with joy, and at the same time rent with + anguish unutterable, I take my pen to address you. You, too, will + rejoice when you hear what God has wrought through the + instrumentality of your beloved son. Yes, you will bless God that + you were enabled to devote him to this blessed service among the + heathen, when I tell you that within the last two months, + fifty-seven have been baptized, all Karens, excepting one, a little + boy of the school and son of the native governor. Twenty-three were + baptized in this city by Moung Ing, and thirty-four in their native + wilderness by Mr. Mason. + + "Mr. Mason arrived Jan. 23d, and on the 31st, he, with Mr. + Boardman, myself and George, set out on a long-promised tour among + the Karens. Mr. Boardman was very feeble, but we hoped the change + of air and scenery would be beneficial. A company of Karens had + come to convey us out, Mr. Boardman on his bed and me in a chair. + We reached the place on the third day, and found they had erected a + bamboo chapel on a beautiful stream at the base of a range of + mountains. The place was central, and nearly one hundred persons + had assembled, more than half of them applicants for baptism. Oh it + was a sight calculated to call forth the liveliest joy of which + human nature is susceptible, and made me, for a moment, forget my + bitter griefs--a sight far surpassing all I had ever anticipated, + even in my most sanguine hours. The Karens cooked, ate and slept on + the around, by the river-side, with no other shelter than the trees + of the forest. Three years ago they were sunk in the lowest depths + of ignorance and superstition. Now the glad tidings of mercy had + reached them, and they were willing to live in the open air, away + from their homes, for the sake of enjoying the privileges of the + Gospel. + + "My dear husband had borne the journey better than we had feared, + though he suffered from exhaustion and pain in his side, which, + however, was much relieved by a little attention. His spirits were + unusually good, and we fondly hoped that a few days' residence in + that delightful, airy spot, surrounded by his loved Karens, would + recruit and invigorate his weakened frame. But I soon perceived he + was failing, and tenderly urged his return to town, where he could + enjoy the quiet of home, and the benefit of medical advice. But he + repelled the thought at once, saying he confidently expected + improvement from the change, and that the disappointment would be + worse for him than staying. 'And even,' added he, 'should my poor, + unprofitable life be somewhat shortened by staying, ought I, on + that account merely, to leave this interesting field? Should I not + rather stay and assist in gathering in these dear scattered lambs + of the fold? You know, Sarah, that coming on a foreign mission + involves the probability of a shorter life, than staying in one's + native country. And yet obedience to our Lord, and compassion for + the perishing heathen, induced us to make this sacrifice. And have + we ever repented that we came? No; I trust we can both say that we + bless God for bringing us to Burmah, for directing our footsteps to + Tavoy, and even for leading us hither. You already know, my love,' + he continued, with a look of tenderness never to be forgotten, + 'that I cannot live long, I must sink under this disease; and + should we go home now, the all-important business which brought us + out, must be given up, and I might linger out a few days of + suffering, stung with the reflection, that I had preferred a few + idle days, to my Master's service. Do not, therefore, ask me to go, + till these poor Karens have been baptized.' I saw he was right, but + my feelings revolted. Nothing seemed so valuable as his life, and + I felt that I could make any sacrifice to prolong it, though it + were but for one hour. Still a desire to gratify him, if no higher + motive made me silent, though my heart ached to see him so ill in + such a wretched place, deprived of many of the comforts of life, to + say nothing of the indulgences desirable in sickness. + + "The chapel was large, but open on all sides, excepting a small + place built up for Mr. Mason, and a room about five feet wide and + ten feet long, for the accommodation of Mr. Boardman and myself + with our little boy. The roof was so low, that I could not stand + upright; and it was but poorly enclosed, so that he was exposed to + the burning rays of the sun by day, and to the cold winds and damp + fog by night. But his mind was happy, and he would often say, 'If I + live to see this one ingathering, I may well exclaim, with happy + Simeon, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, + according to thy word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation. How + many ministers have wished they might die in their pulpits; and + would not dying in a spot like this, be even more blessed than + dying in a pulpit at home? I feel that it would.' + + "Nor was it merely the pleasing state of things around him that + filled his mind with comfort. He would sometimes dwell on the + infinite compassion of God, and his own unworthiness, till his + strength was quite exhausted; and though he told Mr. Mason that he + had not the rapture which he had sometimes enjoyed, yet his mind + was calm and peaceful; and it was plainly perceptible, that earthly + passions had died way, and that he was enjoying sweet foretastes of + that rest into which he was so soon to enter. He would often say to + me, 'My meditations are very sweet, though my mind seems as much + weakened as my body. I have not had that liveliness of feeling, + which I have sometimes enjoyed, owing to my great weakness, but I + shall soon be released from shackles, and be where I can praise God + continually, without weariness. My thoughts delight to dwell on + these words, _There is no night there_.' + + "I felt that the time of separation was fast approaching, and said + to him, 'My dear, I have one request to make; it is, that you would + pray much for George, during your few remaining days. I shall soon + be left alone, almost the only one on earth to pray for him, and I + have great confidence in your dying prayers.' He looked earnestly + at the little boy, and said, 'I will try to pray for him; but I + trust very many prayers will ascend for the dear child from our + friends at home, who will be induced to supplicate the more + earnestly for him, when they hear that he is left fatherless in a + heathen land.' + + "On Wednesday, while looking in the glass, he seemed at once to + see symptoms of his approaching dissolution, and said, without + emotion, 'I have altered greatly--I am sinking into the grave very + fast--just on the verge.' Mr. Mason said to him, 'Is there nothing + we can do for you? Had we not better call the physician? Or shall + we try to remove you into town immediately?' After a few moments' + deliberation, it was concluded to defer the baptism of the male + applicants, and set out for home early the next morning. Nearly all + the female candidates had been examined, and as it is difficult for + them to come to town, it was thought best that Mr. Mason should + baptize them in the evening. We knelt, and Mr. Mason having prayed + for a blessing on the decision, we sat down to breakfast with + sorrowful hearts. + + "While we were at the table, my beloved husband said, 'I shall soon + be thrown away for this world; but I hope the Lord Jesus will take + me up. That merciful Being, who is represented as passing by, and + having compassion on the poor cast-out infant, will not suffer me + to perish. O, I have no hope but in the wonderful, condescending, + infinite mercy of God, through his dear Son. I cast my poor + perishing soul, loaded with sin, as it is, upon his compassionate + arms, assured that all will he forever safe.' On seeing my tears, + he said, 'Are you not reconciled to the will of God, my love?' + When I told him I hoped I did not feel unreconciled, he continued, + 'I have long ago, and many times, committed you and our little one + into the hands of our covenant God. He is the husband of the widow + and the father of the fatherless. _Leave thy fatherless children, I + will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me_, saith + the Lord. He will be your stay and support, when I am gone. The + separation will be but short. O, how happy I shall be to welcome + you to heaven.' He then addressed Mr. Mason, as follows:--'Brother, + I am heartily rejoiced, and bless God that you have arrived, and + especially am I gratified, that you are so much interested for the + poor Karens. You will, I am assured, watch over them, and take care + of them; and if some of them turn back, you will still care for + them. As to my dear wife and child, I know you will do all in your + power to make them comfortable. Mrs. B. will probably spend the + ensuing rains in Tavoy. She will be happy with you and Mrs. Mason; + that is, as happy as she can be in her state of loneliness. She + will mourn for me, and a widow's state is desolate and sorrowful at + best. But God will he infinitely better to her, than I have ever + been.' On the same day, he wished me to read some hymns on + affliction, sickness, death, &c. I took Wesley's Hymn Book, the + only one we had with us, and read several, among others, the one + beginning 'Ah, lovely appearance of death.' + + "On Wednesday evening, thirty-four persons were baptized. Mr. + Boardman was carried to the waterside, though so weak that he could + hardly breathe without the continual use of the fan and the + smelling-bottle. The joyful sight was almost too much for his + feeble frame. When we reached the chapel, he said he would like to + sit up and take tea with us. We placed his cot near the table, and + having bolstered him up, we took tea together. He asked the + blessing, and did it with his right hand upraised, and in a tone + that struck me to the heart. It was the same tremulous, yet urgent, + and I had almost said, unearthly voice, with which my aged + grandfather used to pray. We now began to notice that brightening + of the mental faculties, which I had heard spoken of, in persons + near their end. + + "After tea was removed, all the disciples present, about fifty in + number, gathered around him, and he addressed them for a few + moments in language like the following:--'I did hope to stay with + you till after Lord's-day, and administer to you once more the + Lord's Supper. But God is calling me away from you. I am about to + die, and shall soon be inconceivably happy in heaven. When I am + gone, remember what I have taught you; and O, be careful to + persevere unto the end, that when you die, we may meet one another + in the presence of God, never more to part. Listen to the word of + the new teacher and the teacheress as you have done to mine. The + teacheress will be very much distressed. Strive to lighten her + burdens, and comfort her by your good conduct. Do not neglect + prayer. The eternal God, to whom you pray, is unchangeable. Earthly + teachers sicken and die, but God remains forever the same. Love + Jesus Christ with all your hearts, and you will be forever safe.' + This address I gathered from the Karens, as I was absent preparing + his things for the night. Having rested a few minutes, he offered a + short prayer, and then with Mr. Mason's assistance, distributed + tracts and portions of Scripture to them all. Early the next + morning we left for home, accompanied by nearly all the males and + some of the females, the remainder returning to their homes in the + wilderness. Mr. Boardman was free from pain during the day, and + there was no unfavorable change, except that his mouth grew sore. + But at four o'clock in the afternoon, we were overtaken by a + violent shower of rain accompanied by lightning and thunder. There + was no house in sight, and we were obliged to remain in the open + air, exposed to the merciless storm. We covered him with mats and + blankets, and held our umbrellas over him, all to no purpose. I was + obliged to stand and see the storm beating upon him, till his + mattress and pillows were drenched with rain. We hastened on, and + soon came to a Tavoy house. The inhabitants at first refused us + admittance, and we ran for shelter into the out-houses. The shed I + happened to enter, proved to be the 'house of their gods,' and thus + I committed an almost unpardonable offence. After some persuasion + they admitted us into the house, or rather verandah, for they would + not allow us to sleep inside, though I begged the privilege for my + sick husband with tears. In ordinary cases, perhaps, they would + have been hospitable; but they knew that Mr. Boardman was a teacher + of a foreign religion, and that the Karens in our company had + embraced that religion. + + "At evening worship, Mr. Boardman requested Mr. Mason to read the + thirty-fourth Psalm. He seemed almost spent, and said, 'This poor + perishing dust will soon be laid in the grave; but God can employ + other lumps of clay to perform his will, as easily as he has this + poor unworthy one.' I told him, I should like to sit up and watch + by him, but he objected, and said in a tender supplicating tone, + 'Cannot we sleep together?' The rain still continued, and his cot + was wet, so that he was obliged to lie on the bamboo floor. Having + found a place where our little boy could sleep without danger of + falling through openings in the floor, I threw myself down, + without undressing, beside my beloved husband. I spoke to him often + during the night, and he said he felt well, excepting an + uncomfortable feeling in his mouth and throat. This was somewhat + relieved by frequent washings with cold water. Miserably wretched + as his situation was, he did not complain; on the contrary, his + heart seemed overflowing with gratitude. 'O,' said he, 'how kind + and good our Father in heaven is to me; how many are racked with + pain, while I, though near the grave, am almost free from distress + of body. I suffer nothing, _nothing_ to what you, my dear Sarah, + had to endure last year, when I thought I must lose you. And then I + have you to move me so tenderly. I should have sunk into the grave + ere this, but for your assiduous attention. And brother Mason is as + kind to me as if he were my own brother. And then how many, in + addition to pain of body, have anguish of soul, while my mind is + sweetly stayed on God.' On my saying, 'I hope we shall be at home + to-morrow night, where you can lie on your comfortable bed, and I + can nurse you as I wish,' he said, 'I want nothing that the world + can afford, but my wife and friends; earthly conveniences and + comforts are of little consequence to one so near heaven. I only + want them for your sake.' In the morning we thought him a little + better, though I perceived, when I gave him his sago, that his + breath was very short. He, however, took rather more nourishment + than usual, and spoke about the manner of his conveyance home. We + ascertained that by waiting until twelve o'clock, we could go the + greater part of the way by water. + + "At about nine o'clock, his hands and feet grew cold, and the + affectionate Karens rubbed them all the forenoon, excepting a few + moments when he requested to be left alone. At ten o'clock, he was + much distressed for breath, and I thought the long dreaded moment + had arrived. I asked him, if he felt as if he was going home--'not + just yet,' he replied. On giving him a little wine and water, he + revived. Shortly after, he said, 'You were alarmed without cause + just now, dear--I know the reason of the distress I felt, but am + too weak to explain it to you.' In a few moments he said to me, + 'Since you spoke to me about George, I have prayed for him almost + incessantly--more than in all my life before.' + + "It drew near twelve, the time for us to go to the boat. We were + distressed at the thought of removing him, when evidently so near + the last struggle, though we did not think it so near as it really + was. But there was no alternative. The chilling frown of the + iron-faced Tavoyan was to us as if he was continually saying, 'be + gone.' I wanted a little broth for my expiring husband, but on + asking them for a fowl they said they had none, though at that + instant, on glancing my eye through an opening in the floor, I saw + three or four under the house. My heart was well nigh breaking. + + "We hastened to the boat, which was only a few steps from the + house. The Karens carried Mr. Boardman first, and as the shore was + muddy, I was obliged to wait till they could return for me. They + took me immediately to him; but O, the agony of my soul, when I saw + the hand of death was on him! He was looking me full in the face, + but his eyes were changed, not dimmed, but brightened, and the + pupils so dilated, that I feared he could not see me. I spoke to + him--kissed him--but he made no return, though I fancied that he + tried to move his lips. I pressed his hand, knowing that if he + could, he would return the pressure; but, alas! for the first time, + he was insensible to my love, and forever. I had brought a glass of + wine and water already mixed, and a smelling-bottle, but neither + was of any avail to him now. Agreeably to a previous request, I + called the faithful Karens, who loved him so much, and whom he had + loved unto death, to come and watch his last gentle breathings, for + there was no struggle. + + "Never, my dear parents, did one of our poor fallen race have less + to contend with, in the last enemy. Little George was brought to + see his dying father, but he was too young to know there was cause + for grief When Sarah died, her father said to George, 'Poor little + boy, you will not know to-morrow what you have lost to-day.' A deep + pang rent my bosom at the recollection of this, and a still deeper + one succeeded when the thought struck me, that though my little boy + may not know to-morrow what he has lost to-day, yet when years have + rolled by, and he shall have felt the unkindness of a deceitful, + selfish world, _he will know_. + + "Mr. Mason wept, and the sorrowing Karens knelt down in prayer to + God--that God, of whom their expiring teacher had taught them--that + God, into whose presence the emancipated spirit was just + entering--that God, with whom they hope and expect to be happy + forever. My own feelings I will not attempt to describe. You may + have some faint idea of them, when you recollect what he was to me, + how tenderly I loved him, and, at the same time, bear in mind the + precious promises to the afflicted. + + "We came in silence down the river, and landed about three miles + from our house. The Karens placed his precious remains on his + little bed, and with feelings which you can better imagine than I + describe, we proceeded homewards. The mournful intelligence had + reached town before us, and we were soon met by Moung Ing, the + Burman preacher. At the sight of us he burst into a flood of + tears. Next, we met the two native Christian sisters, who lived + with us. But the moment of most bitter anguish was yet to come on + our arrival at the house. They took him into the sleeping-room, and + when I uncovered his face, for a few moments, nothing was heard but + reiterated sobs. He had not altered--the same sweet smile, with + which he was wont to welcome me, sat on his countenance. His eyes + had opened in bringing him, and all present seemed expecting to + hear his voice; when the thought, that it was silent forever, + rushed upon us, and filled us with anguish sudden and unutterable. + There were the Burman Christians, who had listened so long, with + edification and delight, to his preaching--there were the Karens, + who looked to him as their guide, their earthly all--there were the + scholars whom he had taught the way to heaven, and the Christian + sisters, whose privilege it had been to wash, as it were, his feet. + + "Early next morning, his funeral was attended, and all the + Europeans in the place, with many natives, were present. It may be + some consolation to you to know that everything was performed in as + decent a manner, as if he had been buried in our own dear native + land. By his own request, he was interred on the south side of our + darling first-born. It is a pleasant circumstance to me, that they + sleep _side by side_. But it is infinitely more consoling to + think, that their glorified spirits have met in that blissful + world, where sin and death never enter, and sorrow is unknown. + + "Praying that we may be abundantly prepared to enter into our + glorious rest, I remain, my dear parents, your deeply afflicted, + but most affectionate child, + + "Sarah H. Boardman." + + * * * * * + +Well might Mr. Judson say, "One of the brightest luminaries of Burmah is +extinguished, dear brother Boardman is gone to his eternal rest. He fell +gloriously at the head of his troops, in the arms of victory, +thirty-seven wild Karens having been brought into the camp of our king +since the beginning of the year, besides the thirty-two that were +brought in during the two preceding years. Disabled by wounds, he was +obliged through the whole of his last expedition, to be carried on a +litter; but his presence was a host, and the Holy Spirit accompanied his +dying whispers with almighty influence. Such a death, next to that of +martyrdom, must be glorious in the eyes of Heaven. Well may we rest +assured, that a triumphal crown awaits him on the great day, and 'Well +done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord!'" +This is in the spirit of Montgomery's noble hymn, with an extract from +which we will close the account of George Dana Boardman. + + "Soldier of Christ, well done! + Rest from thy loved employ: + The battle fought, the victory won, + Enter thy Master's joy. + + At midnight came the cry, + To meet thy God prepare! + He woke, and caught his Captain's eye; + Then, strong in faith and prayer + + His spirit, with a bound, + Left its encumbering clay; + His tent, at sunrise, on the ground, + A darkened ruin lay." + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +LETTERS FROM MRS. B.--HER DECISION TO REMAIN IN BURMAH.--HER MISSIONARY +LABORS.--HER TRIALS.--SCHOOLS. + + +Mrs. Boardman found the society of Mr. and Mrs. Mason a sweet solace to +her sad heart. They joined her at Tavoy in the spring of 1831, and +assisted her in her school, besides studying the language. Her letters +to her sister show a spirit chastened and saddened, but not crushed by +sorrow, and still tenderly solicitous for the spiritual welfare of her +dear brothers and sisters in America. She urges them by every motive, to +embrace that Saviour she had found so precious. After telling them of +the "glorious revival among the Karens," and of the baptism of +seventy-three of them, she asks how they feel when they hear of the +conversion of these poor children of the wilderness? "Some," she says, +"indeed most of those who have been baptized, were impressed with the +infinite importance of religion at the first time of hearing the gospel, +and gave themselves no rest till they found it in the Saviour. O, I +tremble and can scarcely hold my pen while I think of the awful account +_you_ must render to God, if after all your privileges, you fall short +of Heaven at last.... How can you resist any longer? You cannot, you +will not--something tells me you will give yourself immediately, +unreservedly to that compassionate Saviour whose love was stronger than +death." + +Her confidence was justified; for some months later she says, "Dearly +beloved brother and sister, a parcel of letters from America has reached +us, which we eagerly opened, ... and received the delightful, +heart-cheering intelligence that you have both become followers of +Jesus, and have openly professed his name, and that two others of the +dear children are serious.... Oh I have wept hours at the thought of +God's goodness in giving me such joyful news in the midst of my sorrows. +And is it indeed true that my own dear Harriet and my dearly loved +brother are adopted into the family of God's chosen ones? Are your names +really written in the Lamb's book of life?... And do each of you when +alone in your closet before your Heavenly Father, feel that he draws +near to you, and that sweeter than all the pleasures of the world is +communion with him? O I know that you do; and now do I feel a union with +you unknown before. How sweet to feel, that while wandering, a lonely +desolate widow, some of those whom I most love, remember me every day +before a throne of grace. Now when I kneel in prayer the voice of +praise is on my lips. At each thought of home, my heart leaps for joy, +and I feel as if relieved of a heavy burden which continually weighed +down my spirits while thinking of my absent brothers and sisters.... The +accounts of the glorious revivals in different parts of our dear native +land have greatly refreshed our hearts, and we are ready to exclaim, +surely the millennium has dawned for happy America. Perhaps you think +such intelligence makes me wish to return. But no, my dear brothers and +sisters, it makes me feel just the reverse. I do most ardently long to +labor in this dark land till the day dawns upon us, ... rather I should +say till the Sun of Righteousness reaches the _meridian_ of Burmah, for +the day has already dawned, and the eastern Karen mountains, enveloped +for ages past in midnight gloom, are rejoicing in his bright beams. + +"Our schools are very flourishing.... We have sixty scholars in town, +and about fifty among the Karens in the jungles. I feel desolate, +lonely, and sometimes deeply distressed at my great and irreparable +loss,--but I bless God I am not in despair. My darling George is in good +health, and is a source of much comfort, though of deep anxiety to me. +He is learning to read, but is not so forward as children at home. How +it comforts my heart to be able to ask you to pray for him!" + +In a hurried postscript she adds: "There are more than eighty Karens at +our house, upwards of twenty of them applicants for baptism." + +In another letter: "Death now seems nearer to me, and Heaven dearer than +before I was afflicted; ... my afflictions are precisely the kind my +soul needed.... I receive from my dear friends the Masons, every +possible kindness. But alas! the hours of loneliness and bitter weeping +I endure, are known only to God. But still Jesus has sweetened the cup, +and I would not that it should have passed my lip." + +Three courses of life were now open to Mrs. Boardman. Either to devote +herself to her domestic duties, manage her household, educate her +darling boy, and in quiet seclusion pass the weary days of her +widowhood; or--looking abroad on the spiritual wants of the people +around her, knowing that if one devoted laborer was gone there was the +more need of activity in those that remained,--she might continue to +employ her time and faculties in instructing and elevating those in +whose service her husband had worn out his life; or, thirdly, she might +take her child, her "only one," and return to the land of her birth, +where she still had dear parents, brothers and sisters, who would +welcome her with open arms, and where she could give her son those +advantages which he never could have in a heathen land. To adopt either +the first or the last of these courses, she was urged by her natural +disposition, which was singularly modest and retiring, her feeble +health, the enervating influence of the climate, and above all by the +strong tendency to self-indulgence which always accompanies a +heart-rending sorrow. "But oh," she says in a letter to a friend, "these +poor, inquiring and Christian Karens, and the school-boys, and the +Burmese Christians" ... and the thought of _these_ made her more than +willing to adopt the second course; for she says, "My beloved husband +wore out his life in this glorious cause; and that remembrance makes me +more than ever attached to the work and the people for whose salvation +he labored till death." + +During her husband's life-time. Mrs. Boardman had of course little to +perform of what could properly be called missionary labor; even her +teaching in the schools was very often interrupted by sickness, and the +schools themselves were often broken up by untoward events which the +Missionaries could not control. Now, however, new circumstances called +her to new and untried duties. Yet there was no sudden or violent change +in her mode of life. The honored lips that had instructed, and guided, +and comforted the ignorant natives, were sealed in death; yet still +those natives continued to turn their eyes and their steps to the loved +residence of their teacher whenever they found themselves oppressed +with difficulty or distress and could the widow of that venerated +teacher refuse to those poor disciples any guidance or consolation it +was in her power to bestow? No; quietly and meekly she instructed the +ignorant, consoled the afflicted, led inquirers to her Saviour, and +warned the impenitent to flee to him; and if insensibly she thus came to +fill a place from which her nature would instinctively have shrunk, +there was still about her such a modest and womanly grace, combined with +such a serious and dignified purpose of soul, that the most fastidious +could have found nothing to censure, while lovers of the cause she had +espoused, found everything to commend. "I rejoice," writes a friend in +this country to her, on hearing of her self-sacrificing labors, "that +your husband's mantle has fallen upon you ... and that more than ever +before, it is in your heart to benefit the heathen." + +That her duties were arduous, her letters fully prove. In one of them +she says, "Every moment of my time is occupied _from sunrise till ten in +the evening_. It is late-bed time, and I am surrounded by five Karen +women, three of whom arrived this afternoon from the jungle, after being +separated from us nearly five months by the heavy rains. The Karens are +beginning to come to us in companies; and with them, and our scholars in +the town, and the care of my darling boy, you will scarce think I have +much leisure for letter-writing." + +Thus she toiled on, cheered by the consciousness that she was in the +path of duty: that her husband if permitted from his home in heaven to +watch over the spot he most loved on earth, would smile approvingly on +her labors; and encouraged by the affection of many of the disciples, +and the interest awakened among some new inquirers. + +But it cannot be doubted that her trials were at least equal to her +encouragements. Long before, Mr. Boardman had written, "the thoughts of +this people," the Burmans, "run in channels entirely different from +ours. Their whole system has a tendency to cramp their intellectual +powers;--professedly divine in its origin, it demands credence without +evidence; it spurns improvement, disdains the suggestions of experience, +and flatly denies the testimony of the external senses. What a man sees +with his own eyes he is not to believe, because his Scriptures teach +otherwise.... There is no fellowship of thought between them and us on +any subject. Everything appears to them in a different light, they +attribute everything to a different cause, seek a remedy of evils from a +different quarter, and entertain, in fine, a set of thoughts and +imaginations totally different from ours." The Karens, it is true, had +fewer prejudices to be eradicated, and more easily sympathized with the +missionaries than the haughty, self-sufficient Burmans; but then their +very docility made them liable to another danger, that of holding their +new faith lightly, and parting with it easily. All these difficulties +sometimes so pressed upon Mrs. Boardman, that she was ready to say, "It +requires the patience of a Job and the wisdom of a Solomon to get on +with this people; much as I love them, and good as I think they are." +She then spoke of the _converts_; in whom was implanted that grace +which, so far as it operates on the heart, makes all, in a sense, _one_ +in Christ Jesus; how then must she have been tried with those who would +not repent and embrace the only principles that could give her the least +fellowship or communion with them? + +_Jan. 19, 1832._--Mrs. Boardman writes of herself and her +fellow-missionaries, Mr. and Mrs. Mason, "We meet with much +encouragement in our schools, and our number of day-scholars is now +about eighty. These, with the boarding schools, two village schools, and +about fifty persons who learn during the rainy season in the Karen +jungle, make upwards of one hundred and seventy under our instruction. +The scholars in the jungle cannot of course visit us often but a great +many have come to be examined in their lessons, and we are surprised and +delighted at the progress they have made." + +Of course they had to employ, as teachers of these schools, natives, +who needed constant supervision and superintendence. Some of these +teachers were exceedingly interesting persons. Of the death of one of +them she writes, "Thah-oung continued in his school till two days before +his death, although for a long time he had been very ill. He felt, then, +that he _must_ die, and said to his scholars, 'I can do no more--God is +calling me away from you,--I go into His presence--be not dismayed.' He +was then carried to the house of his father, a few miles distant, and +there he continued exhorting and praying to the very last moment. His +widow, who is not yet fifteen, is one of the loveliest of our desert +blossoms." And afterwards in alluding to the same event, she says, "One +of our best Karen teachers came to see us, and through him we heard that +the disciples were well; that they were living in love, in the enjoyment +of religion, and had nothing to distress them, but the death of their +beloved teacher. Poor Moung Quay was obliged to turn away his face to +weep several times while answering my inquiries. Oh how they feel the +stroke that has fallen upon them. And well they may, for he was to them +a father and a guide." + +"The superintendence of the food and clothing of both the boarding +schools," she afterwards writes, "together with the care of five +day-schools under native teachers, devolves wholly on me. Our +day-schools are growing every week more and more interesting. We cannot, +it is true, expect to see among them so much progress, especially in +Christianity, as our boarders make; but they are constantly gaining +religious knowledge, and will grow up with comparatively correct ideas. +They with their teachers attend worship regularly on Lord's-day. The +day-schools are entirely supported at present by the Honorable Company's +allowance, and the civil commissioner, Mr. Maingy appears much +interested in their success." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN MRS. BOARDMAN AND THE SUPERINTENDENT.--HER TOURS +AMONG THE KARENS.--HER PERSONAL APPEARANCE.--HER ACQUAINTANCE WITH THE +BURMAN LANGUAGE.--DR. JUDSON'S TRANSLATION OF THE BIBLE. + + +An interesting letter from the gentleman mentioned at the close of the +last chapter, with Mrs. Boardman's reply, we will give entire, as they +exhibit at once her firmness of principle, and the high respect she +commanded from the European residents in the country. + + "Tavoy, Aug. 24, 1833. + + "My dear Sir, + + "Mr. Mason has handed me for perusal, the extract from your letter + to Government, which you kindly sent him. I apprehend I have + hitherto had wrong impressions in reference to the ground on which + the Honorable Company patronize schools in their territories; and I + hope you will allow me to say, that it would not accord with my + feelings and sentiments, to banish religious instruction from the + schools under my care. I think it desirable for the rising + generation of this Province, to become acquainted with useful + science; and the male part of the population, with the English + language. But it is infinitely more important that they receive + into their hearts our holy religion, which is the source of so much + happiness in this state, and imparts the hope of a glorious + immortality in the world to come. Parents and guardians must know + that there is more or less danger of their children deserting the + faith of their ancestors, if placed under the care of a Foreign + Missionary; and the example of some of the pupils is calculated to + increase such apprehensions. Mr. Boardman baptized into the + Christian religion several of his scholars. One of the number is + now a devoted preacher; and notwithstanding the decease of their + beloved and revered teacher, they all, with one unhappy exception, + remain firm in the Christian faith. + + "The success of the Hindoo College, where religious instruction was + interdicted, may perhaps be urged in favor of pursuing a similar + course in schools here. But it strikes me, that the case is + different here, even admitting _their_ course to be right. The + overthrow of a system so replete with cruel and impure rites, as + the Hindoo, or so degrading as the Mahometan, _might_ be matter of + joy, though no better religion were introduced in its stead. But + the Burman system of morality is superior to that of the nations + round them, and to the heathen of ancient times, and is surpassed + only by the divine precepts of our blessed Saviour. Like all other + merely _human_ institutions, it is destitute of saving power; but + its influence on the people, so far as it is felt, is salutary, and + their moral character will, I should think, bear a comparison with + that of any heathen nation in the world. The person who should + spend his days in teaching them mere human science, (though he + might undermine their false tenets,) by neglecting to set before + them brighter hopes and purer principles, would, I imagine, live to + very little purpose. For myself, sure I am, I should at last suffer + the overwhelming conviction of having labored in vain. + + "With this view of things, you will not, my dear sir, be surprised + at my saying, it is impossible for me to pursue a course so utterly + repugnant to my feelings, and so contrary to my judgment, as to + banish religious instruction from the schools in my charge. It is + what I am confident you yourself would not wish; but I infer from a + remark in your letter that such are the terms on which Government + affords patronage. It would be wrong to deceive the patrons of the + schools and if my supposition is correct, I can do no otherwise + than request, that the monthly allowance be withdrawn. It will + assist in establishing schools at Maulmain on a plan more consonant + with the wishes of Government than mine has ever been. Meanwhile I + trust, I shall be able to represent the claims of my pupils in such + a manner, as to obtain support and countenance from those, who + would wish the children to be taught the principles of the + Christian faith. + + "Allow me, my dear sir, to subscribe myself, + + "Yours, most respectfully, + + "Sarah H. Boardman." + + + "My dear Madam, + + "I cannot do otherwise than honor and respect the sentiments + conveyed in your letter, now received. You will, I hope, give me + credit for sincerity, when I assure you, that in alluding to the + system of instruction pursued by you, it has ever been a source of + pride to me, to point out the quiet way, in which your scholars + have been made acquainted with the Christian religion. My own + Government in no way proscribes the teaching of Christianity. The + observations in my official letter are intended to support what I + have before brought to the notice of Government, that _all_ are + received, who present themselves for instruction at your schools, + without any stipulation as to their becoming members of the + Christian faith. + + I cannot express to you how much your letter has distressed me. It + has been a subject of consideration with me, for some months past, + how I could best succeed in establishing a college here, the + scholars of which were to have been instructed in the same system + which you have so successfully pursued. Believe me, + + "Yours very faithfully, + + "A.D. Maingy + + "_Saturday._" + +Appropriations were afterward made by the British government for schools +throughout the Provinces "to be conducted on the plan of Mrs. Boardman's +schools at Tavoy;" and although the propagation of Christianity in the +_other_ schools was subsequently prohibited, yet in _her own_, she +always taught as her conscience dictated. + +It had been one of Mr. Boardman's practices to make frequent tours among +the Karen villages, to preach the gospel, and strengthen the disciples +and the feeble churches. Even from this duty, as far as the visitation +was concerned, his widow did not shrink, although she _did_ shrink from +writing or speaking much on the subject; doubtless always regarding it +as a cross, which although she might bear with patience, she would +willingly lay down as soon as duty should permit. Attended by her +faithful Karens, and her little boy borne in their arms,--leaving Mr. +Mason to his indispensable task of acquiring the language, she would +thread the wild passes of the mountains, and the obscure paths of the +jungle, fording the smaller streams and carried over the larger in a +chair borne on bamboo poles by her followers,--carrying joy and gladness +to the hearts of the simple-minded villagers, and cheering her own by +witnessing their constancy and fidelity. + +In her own inimitable style "Fanny Forrester" gives an account of an +adventure of Mrs. Boardman during one of these excursions; in which the +impression she made upon an English officer who encountered her far from +civilized habitations, so unexpectedly that he almost mistook her for an +angel visitant from a better sphere, was sufficiently pleasant to form +the basis of a lasting friendship between them. Indeed there are many +testimonials to Mrs. Boardman's personal loveliness and grace of manner. +In Calcutta, where she resided nearly two years, she was regarded as a +"finished lady;" and in a well-written tribute to her memory, published +in the Mother's Journal, she is described as "of about middle stature, +agreeable in personal appearance, and winning in manners. The first +impression of an observer respecting her in her youth, would be of a +gentle, confiding, persuasive being, who would sweeten the cup of life +to those who drank it with her. But further acquaintance would develop +strength as well as loveliness of character. It would be seen that she +could do and endure, as well as love and please. Sweetness and strength, +gentleness and firmness, were in her character most happily blended. +Her mind was both poetical and practical. She had a refined taste, and a +love for the beautiful as well as the excellent." But all these fine +gifts and endowments were consecrated; the offering she had made on her +Saviour's altar was unreserved; nor do we find that she ever cast back +to the world where she might have shone so brilliantly, "one longing, +lingering look." + +She is said by her fellow Missionaries to have made wonderful +proficiency in the Burman language, and indeed she translated into it +Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. She loved the language much; and used to +read the Scriptures in it in preference to reading them in English. She +once said to Mrs. Mason, "I should be willing to learn Burmese, for the +sake of reading the Scriptures in that language." + +The translation of the Scriptures into Burmese is a work for which +Burmah is indebted to Dr. Judson For many years this devoted servant of +Christ employed on this great work every moment he could spare from +pastoral labor; and there is something truly sublime in the record he +has left of the completion of it, in his Journal under date of Jan. 31, +1834: "Thanks be to god, I can now say, I have attained! I have +knelt down before him, with the last leaf in my hand, and imploring his +forgiveness for all the sins which have polluted my labors in this +department, and his aid in future efforts to remove the errors and +imperfections which necessarily cleave to the work, I have commended it +to his mercy and grace; I have dedicated it to his glory. May he make +his own inspired word, now complete in the Burman tongue, the grand +instrument of filling all Burmah with songs and praises to our great God +and Saviour, Jesus Christ Amen." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +MRS. BOARDMAN'S SECOND MARRIAGE.--REMOVAL TO MAULMAIN.--LETTER FROM MRS. +JUDSON.--HER SON SENT TO AMERICA.--HER HUSBAND'S ILLNESS. + + +On the tenth of April, 1834, Mrs. Boardman was married to one whose +character she afterwards declared to be "a complete assemblage of all +that woman could wish to love and honor," the Rev. Dr. Judson With him +she removed to her new home in Maulmain, which had undergone wonderful +changes since she left it in 1828. Then, the only church there had +_three_ native members; now she found there three churches numbering two +hundred members! Her duties now were different from what they had been, +but not less important; and in a letter written to a very intimate +friend one year after her marriage, we find her thus expressing herself: +"I can truly say that the mission cause, and missionary labor is +increasingly dear to me, every month of my life. I am now united with +one whose heavenly spirit and example is deeply calculated to make me +more devoted to the cause than I ever have been before. O that I may +profit by such precious advantages." + +Many Missionaries had arrived from America and established themselves +in different places; several resided at Maulmain; so that Mrs. Judson, +as we must now call her, could enjoy much Christian society besides that +of the natives. But neither she nor her fellow-laborers had much time to +devote exclusively to social intercourse. Beside schools to superintend, +and Bible-classes to conduct, and prayer-meetings to attend, societies +were to be formed among the half-educated native females in which they +could be instructed in maternal and social duties. In addition to these +cares, Mrs. Judson took upon herself the task of acquiring a new +language, in order to instruct the Peguans, a people who had put +themselves under the protection of the British, after revolting against +the Burmans. This people were so numerous in Maulmain that the +missionaries felt constrained to furnish them with instruction. + +Under these labors, Mrs. Judson's health again failed but after some +weeks of suffering, she began to recover, and for many subsequent years +her health was uninterrupted. In a letter written some time after, she +accounts for her enjoyment of health, in the following manner:-- + +"When I first came up from Tavoy, I was thin and pale; and though I +called myself pretty well, I had no appetite for food, and was scarce +able to walk half a mile. Soon after, I was called to endure a long and +severe attack of illness, which brought me to the brink of the grave. I +was never so low in any former illness, and the doctor who attended me, +has since told me, that he had no hope of my recovery; and that when he +came to prescribe medicine for me, it was more out of regard to the +feelings of my husband, than from any prospect of its affording me +relief. I lay confined to my bed, week after week, unable to move, +except as Mr. Judson sometimes carried me in his arms from the bed to +the couch for a change; and even this once brought on a return of the +disease, which very nearly cost me my life. * * I never shall forget the +precious seasons enjoyed on that sick bed. Little George will tell you +about it, if you should ever see him. I think he will always remember +some sweet conversations I had with him, on the state of his soul, at +that time. Dear child! his mind was very tender, and he would weep on +account of his sins, and would kneel down and pray with all the fervor +and simplicity of childhood. He used to read the Bible to me every day, +and commit little hymns to memory by my bedside. * * It pleased my +Heavenly Father to raise me up again, although I was for a long time +very weak. As soon as I was able, I commenced riding on horseback, and +used to take a long ride every morning before sunrise. After a patient +trial, I found that riding improved my health; though many times I +should have become discouraged and given it up, but for the perseverance +of my husband. After riding almost every day, for four or five months, I +found my health so much improved, and gained strength so fast, that I +began to think walking might be substituted. About this time, my nice +little pony died, and we commenced a regular system of exercise on foot, +walking at a rapid pace, far over the hills beyond the town, before the +sun was up, every morning. We have continued this perseveringly up to +the present time; and, during these years, my health has been better +than at any time previous, since my arrival in India; and my +constitution seems to have undergone an entire renovation." + +In "Burmah proper," that is, that part of Burmah not under British +government, the native Christians enjoyed no toleration from the +Government, and often suffered bitterly; but in Maulmain, and other +places in British Burmah, religion flourished, and converts were +multiplied. Mr. Vinton, (a new missionary,) preached with great power in +the Karen churches, and that people, says Mrs. Judson, "flocked into the +kingdom by scores." Mr. Judson was revising his translation of the +Bible--a task of five years' duration,--and preaching to the Burmese +church; while Mrs. J. instructed in the schools and translated into +Peguan such tracts as were thought most calculated to acquaint that +people with Christian doctrine. She afterwards translated into that +language the New Testament and the Life of Christ; but on the arrival of +Mr. Haswell, she gave up to him all her books and papers in this +language, and only attended to it in future so far as to assist him in +his studies. + +Of the severest trial to which Mrs. Judson was called during the +remainder of her life she gives an account in the following eloquent +words: "After deliberation, accompanied with tears, and agony and +prayers, I came to the conviction that it was my duty to send away my +only child, my darling George, and yesterday he bade me a long +farewell.... Oh I shall never forget his looks, as he stood by the door, +and gazed at me for the last time. His eyes were filling with tears, and +his little face red with suppressed emotion. But he subdued his +feelings, and it was not till he had turned away, and was going down the +steps that he burst into a flood of tears. I hurried to my room; and on +my knees, with my whole heart gave him up to God; and my bursting heart +was comforted from above.... My reason and judgment tell me that the +good of my child requires that he should be sent to America; and this of +itself would support me in some little degree; but when I view it as a +_sacrifice_, made for the sake of Jesus, it becomes a delightful +privilege.... I cannot but hope he will one day return to Burmah, a +missionary of the cross, as his dear father was.... This is in some +respects the severest trial I ever met with." + +It would be delightful to accompany the dear boy in his perilous journey +to the Father-land, and to transcribe the yearning and affectionate +letters of his mother, both to him, and to those to whose charge he was +entrusted--they could not but heighten our opinion of her excellence in +the maternal relation, as well as of the great sensibility of her heart; +but we are warned that our pages are swelling to too great a number. +Ours is but a sketch, an outline; those who would see the full length +portrait of our heroine, must consult the glowing canvass of her +biographer and successor, "Fanny Forrester." + +Her next trial was, to see her beloved husband suffering with a severe +cough, which she feared would end in pulmonary consumption. To avert +this dreaded result, he was obliged to leave her and try a long +sea-voyage. The account of their parting, and her touching letters +during his absence would greatly enrich our little sketch, had we room +to copy them. We _must_ find a place for one short extract from the +letters. + +"Your little daughter and I have been praying for you this evening.... +At times the sweet hope that you will soon return, restored to perfect +health, buoys up my spirit, but perhaps you will find it necessary to go +farther, a necessity from which I cannot but shrink with doubt and +dread; or you may come back only to die with me. This last agonizing +thought crushes me down in overwhelming sorrow. I hope I do not feel +unwilling that our Heavenly Father should do as he thinks best with us; +but my heart shrinks from the prospect of living in this dark, sinful, +friendless world, without you.... But the most satisfactory view is to +look away to that blissful world, where separations are unknown. There, +my beloved Judson, we shall _surely_ meet each other; and we shall also +meet many loved ones who have gone before us to that haven of rest." + +Her fears were not realized; in a few months Mr. Judson was restored to +her and the suffering mission cause in greatly improved health. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +ILLNESS OF HER CHILDREN.--DEATH OF ONE OF THEM.--HER MISSIONARY LABORS, +AND FAMILY CARES.--HER DECLINING HEALTH.--POEM.--HER LAST ILLNESS AND +DEATH. + + +The seventh year of her marriage with Mr. Judson, was a year of peculiar +trial to Mrs. J. All her four children were attacked by whooping-cough +followed by one of the diseases of the climate, with which she also was +so violently afflicted that her life was for a time despaired of. She +felt sure, as she afterwards said, that her hour of release was come, +that her master was calling her; and she blessed God that she was +entirely willing to leave all, and go to him. The only hope of recovery +for any of them was a sea-voyage, and they embarked for Bengal, but +their passage was stormy, and they derived little benefit from their +stay at Serampore, where they had taken up their residence. A voyage to +the Mauritius was recommended, and the alarming situation of three of +the children, as well as Mrs. Judson's feeble state, determined them to +try it. But before they embarked, it was her melancholy lot to lay one +of her darlings in the grave, and he, the very one about whose health +she had felt the least uneasiness. He sleeps, says his mother, in the +mission burial-ground, where moulders the dust of Carey, Marshman and +Ward. Her tears at his burial flowed not only for him that was dead, but +for another who she expected would soon follow him. To avert this +calamity she hastened her voyage, which though fearfully tempestuous, +proved beneficial to the sufferers, and after a short sojourn in the +soft climate of the Isle of France, the family returned to their home in +Maulmain, restored, with the exception of one son, to sound health. This +son, who bore the name of his father, was called by the natives Pwen, +which signifies "a flower," a name adopted by his parents. After a long +illness he too was restored to health. + +Mrs. Judson's labors during the latter part of her life, are recorded by +her husband; and it may well excite the wonder of those women who +consider the care of their own families a sufficient task, that she +could find time and strength for such an amount of labor. It has been +said that her translation of Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress is a work worth +living for. Her husband says, "It is one of the best pieces of +composition we have published." She also translated a tract written by +her husband; edited a "Chapel hymn book," and furnished for it twenty of +its best hymns; and published four volumes of Scripture Questions for +use in the Sabbath Schools. When we consider that she was the mother of +a rapidly increasing family; and the head of an establishment, which +like all in the East require constant and vigilant superintendence; and +that she was exemplary in the discharge of her maternal and domestic +duties, we are led to fancy she must have possessed some secret charm by +which she could stay the hurrying feet of time; and "hold the fleet +angel fast until he blessed her." Such a secret was her untiring zeal, +which prompted an incessant industry. The sands of time are indeed +numerous, and when each is valued as a sparkling treasure, they form a +rich hoard, laid up where neither moth nor rust corrupt; but if we let +them escape unheeded, or sit and idly watch their flow, and even shake +the glass to hasten it, they will gather into a millstone weight to sink +us in endless, unavailing regret. Though she is dead, Mrs. Judson's +works still live; and generation after generation of Burmans will +associate her name with that of her honored husband, as benefactors to +their race. + +In December, 1844, the health of Mrs. Judson began to decline. Her +anxious husband, determined to leave no means untried, to save a life so +precious to the mission and so invaluable to himself and his family, +decided to quit for a while his loved labors in Burmah and accompany +his wife to America. They in May 1845 sailed, and on reaching the Isle +of France, she found herself so far restored that she could no longer +conscientiously detain her husband from his duties in India, and she +resolved to let him go back to their home there, while she with her +children, should complete the journey that still seemed necessary for +her entire restoration. One of the sweetest of her poems was occasioned +by this resolution. + + "We part on this green islet, Love, + Thou for the Eastern main, + I, for the setting sun, Love-- + Oh, when to meet again? + + My heart is sad for thee, Love, + For lone thy way will be; + And oft thy tears will fall, Love, + For thy children and for me. + + The music of thy daughter's voice + Thou'lt miss for many a year; + And the merry shout of thine elder boys + Thou'lt list in vain to hear. + + When we knelt to see our Henry die, + And heard his last faint moan, + Each wiped the tear from other's eye-- + Now, each must weep alone. + + My tears fall fast for thee, Love,-- + How can I say farewell! + But go;--thy God be with thee, Love, + Thy heart's deep grief to quell! + + Yet my spirit clings to thine, Love, + Thy soul remains with me, + And oft we'll hold communion sweet, + O'er the dark and distant sea. + + And who can paint our mutual joy, + When, all our wanderings o'er, + We both shall clasp our infants three, + At home, on Burmah's shore. + + But higher shall our raptures glow, + On yon celestial plain, + When the loved and parted here below + Meet, ne'er to part again. + + Then gird thine armor on, Love, + Nor faint thou by the way, + Till Boodh shall fall, and Burmah's sons + Shall own Messiah's sway." + +But her health still sinking, her husband could not leave her, and she +was borne back to the ship. Her life ebbed away so rapidly, that he +feared he must consign her to an ocean grave. But a kind Providence +ordered it, that her death did not occur till the ship anchored at St. +Helena. Her end was as peaceful as her life had been consistent and +exemplary. + +"No shade of doubt or fear, or anxiety crossed her mind." So writes her +husband: "She had a prevailing preference to depart and be with Christ. +I am longing to depart! she would say; and then the thought of her dear +native land, to which she was approaching after an absence of twenty +years, and a longing desire to see her son George, her parents, and the +friends of her youth, would draw down her ascending soul, and constrain +her to say, 'I am in a strait betwixt two; the will of the Lord be +done.' + +"In regard to her children she ever manifested the most surprising +composure and resignation, so much so that I was once constrained to +say, you seem to have forgotten the dear little ones we have left +behind. 'Can a mother forget'--she replied, and was unable to proceed. +During her last days she spent much time in praying for the early +conversion of her children. + +"On the evening of the 31st of August, ... I sat alone by the side of +her bed, endeavoring to administer relief to the distressed body, and +consolation to the departing soul. At two o'clock in the morning, +wishing to obtain one more token of recognition, I roused her attention +and said, 'Do you still love the Saviour?' 'O yes,' she replied, 'I ever +love the Lord Jesus Christ.' I said again, 'Do you still love me?' She +replied in the affirmative, by a peculiar expression of her own. 'Then +give me one more kiss;' and we exchanged that token of love for the last +time. Another hour passed,--and she ceased to breathe." + + "So fades the summer cloud away; + So sinks the gale when storms are o'er; + So gently shuts the eye of day; + So dies the wave along the shore." + +Arrangements were made to carry the body on shore. The Rev. Mr. Bertram +from the Island came on board, and was led into the state-room where lay +all that was mortal of Mrs. Judson. "Pleasant," he says, "she was even +in death. A sweet smile of love beamed on her countenance, as if +heavenly grace had stamped it there. The bereaved husband and three +weeping children fastened their eyes upon the loved remains, as if they +could have looked forever." + +The coffin was borne to the shore; the boats forming a kind of +procession, their oars beating the waves at measured intervals, as a +sort of funeral knell--The earth received her dust, and her bereaved +husband continued his sad voyage towards his native land, again a +widowed mourner. + + + + +PART III. + + +BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH + +OF MRS. EMILY C. JUDSON. + + +THIRD WIFE OF + +REV. ADONIRAM JUDSON, D.D. + + + + +REMARKS ON HER GENIUS.--HER EARLY +LIFE.--CONVERSION.--EMPLOYMENTS.--TALES AND POEMS.--ACQUAINTANCE WITH +DR. JUDSON.--MARRIAGE.--VOYAGE TO INDIA.--BIOGRAPHY OF MRS. S.B. +JUDSON.--POEM WRITTEN OFF ST. HELENA.--POEM ON THE BIRTH OF AN +INFANT.--LINES ADDRESSED TO A BEREAVED FRIEND.--LETTER TO HER +CHILDREN.--"PRAYER FOR DEAR PAPA."--POEM ADDRESSED TO HER MOTHER.--HER +ACCOUNT OF DR. JUDSON'S LAST ILLNESS AND DEATH. + + +Our labor of sketching the lives of the _three_ distinguished women who +were permitted to share the happiness and lighten the cares of one of +the most worthy and venerated of missionaries, now brings us on delicate +ground. The last wife of Dr. Judson, happily for her numerous friends +and for his and her children, survives him. Long may she be spared to +train those children in the ways of lofty piety, to gladden the wide +circle of friends and relatives now anxiously expecting her return to +her native land, and to gratify the admirers of her genius with the +graceful and eloquent effusions of her pen. Graceful and eloquent they +have always been, but of late--touched by a coal from that altar on +which she has laid her best sacrifice, _herself_--they have gained a +higher and purer flow, awakened by a holier inspiration. The world +admired the brilliancy of "Fanny Forrester." Christians _love_ the +exalted tenderness, the sanctified enthusiasm of Emily C. Judson. + +Much as it would gratify us, and her friends to give an extended account +of her life, delicacy forbids us to do more than merely to sketch those +features in it, which are already the property of much of the reading +public. Our outline will necessarily be meagre, but we will enrich it by +several of her poems written in India, hitherto scarce published except +in perishable newspapers and periodicals. We might indeed make it more +interesting by incidents and anecdotes, drawn from those of her early +associates who love to dwell on the rich promise of her childhood and +youth; but by doing so, we should incur the risk of intruding on the +sacredness of the family circle; and we forbear. + +She was born in Eaton, a town near the centre of the state of New York. +In her childhood, she exhibited an exuberance of imagination that +enabled her to delight her young associates with tales, which, according +to one of them, she would sit up in bed in the morning to write, and +then read aloud to them. She would, even then, write verses also, but in +this gift she was perhaps inferior to a sister, who died in early life, +and whose numerous poems were unfortunately, and to the grief of her +family, accidentally lost. At an early period she embraced religion and +was baptized by the Rev. Mr. Dean, a missionary to China, then in this +country. Her interest was awakened in the heathen, even at that time, +and she indulged in many ardent longings to go as a missionary to them. +The late Dr. Kendrick judiciously advised her to pursue the path of duty +at home, and quietly wait the leadings and openings of Providence. This +advice she followed, and as a means of improving the straitened +circumstances of her family, she left home and engaged as a teacher in a +seminary in Utica. + +Desirous to increase still farther her mother's limited resources, she +determined to employ her pen; and published some short religious tales, +which, however, brought her little fame, and small pecuniary emolument. +But in 1844, by a skilful and happy letter to the conductor of the _New +York Mirror_, she so attracted the attention of the fastidious and +brilliant editor of that magazine, that he engaged her as a constant +contributor. This arrangement, though of great pecuniary advantage, was, +in a religious view, a snare to her. As a writer of light, graceful +stories of a purely worldly character, she had in this country, few +rivals, and her name, attached to a tale or a poem, became a passport to +popular favor. In a letter to her aged pastor, written a year after her +marriage, she laments her extreme worldliness at that period, which she +says, even led her to be ashamed of her former desire to be a +missionary. Yet her writings are marked by purity, and generally +inculcated nothing unfriendly either to virtue or religion. But it was +the religion of sentiment, and the virtue of the natural heart; of which +it must be confessed we find far more in fictitious tales, than in real +life. When we consider the nobleness of the motive that led her to seek +a popular path to favor and emolument--to increase the comforts of her +excellent and honored mother--our censure, were we disposed to indulge +any, is disarmed and almost changed to admiration. + +During Dr. Judson's visit to America, in 1845, while riding in a public +conveyance with Mr. G., who was escorting him to his home in +Philadelphia, a story written by "Fanny Forrester," fell into the hands +of Dr. J. He read it with satisfaction, remarking that he should like to +know its author. "You will soon have that pleasure," said Mr. G., "for +she is now visiting at my house." An acquaintance then commenced between +them, which, notwithstanding the disparity in their years, soon ripened +into a warm attachment, and after a severe struggle, she broke, as she +says, the innumerable ties that bound her to the fascinating worldly +life she had adopted, and consented to become, what in her early +religious zeal she had so longed to be--a missionary. + +And now the spell of worldliness was indeed broken. With mingled shame +and penitence she reviewed her spiritual declensions, and with an +humbled, self-distrusting spirit renewed her neglected covenant with the +God and guide of her youth. In Dr. Judson, to whom she was married on +the 2d of June, 1846, she found a wise and faithful friend and +counsellor, as well as a devoted husband. In his tried and experienced +piety, she gained the support and encouragement she needed in her +Christian life. Conscious that she had given to the world's service too +many of her noble gifts, she commenced a work of an exclusively +religious character and tendency, the biography of her predecessor, the +second Mrs. Judson. In one year it was completed, and in speaking of it +in a letter from India, whither she had accompanied Dr. J. immediately +after their marriage, she playfully remarked that her husband was +pleased with it, and she cared little whether any one else liked it or +not. + +On her passage to India, Mrs. Judson passed in sight of that island +which must ever attract the gaze of men of every clime and nation,--the +rocky prison and tomb of the conqueror of nations, Napoleon Bonaparte. +But to her the island had more tender associations; awakened more +touching recollections. It was as the grave of Sarah Judson, that her +successor gazed long and tearfully on the Isle of St. Helena; and she +thus embodied her feelings in song. + + LINES WRITTEN OFF ST. HELENA. + + Blow softly, gales! a tender sigh + Is flung upon your wing; + Lose not the treasure as ye fly, + Bear it where love and beauty lie, + Silent and withering. + + Flow gently, waves! a tear is laid + Upon your heaving breast; + Leave it within yon dark rock's shade + Or weave it in an iris braid, + To crown the Christian's rest + + Bloom, ocean isle, lone ocean isle! + Thou keep'st a jewel rare; + Let rugged rock, and dark defile, + Above the slumbering stranger smile + And deck her couch with care. + + Weep, ye bereaved! a dearer head, + Ne'er left the pillowing breast; + The good, the pure, the lovely fled, + When mingling with the shadowy dead, + She meekly went to rest. + + Mourn, Burmah, mourn! a bow which spanned + Thy cloud has passed away; + A flower has withered on thy sand, + A pitying spirit left thy strand, + A saint has ceased to pray. + + Angels rejoice, another string + Has caught the strains above. + Rejoice, rejoice! a new-fledged wing + Around the Throne is hovering, + In sweet, glad, wondering love. + + Blow, blow, ye gales! wild billows roll! + Unfurl the canvas wide! + O! where she labored lies our goal: + Weak, timid, frail, yet would my soul + Fain be to hers allied. + + _Ship Faneuil Hall_, Sept. 1846. + +On the birth of an infant, she expressed her first maternal feelings, in +verses of such exquisite beauty, that they can never be omitted in any +collection of the gems of poetry--least of all in any collection of +_her_ poems. + +The following are the verses alluded to: + + MY BIRD. + + Ere last year's moon had left the sky, + A birdling sought my Indian nest + And folded, oh so lovingly! + Her tiny wings upon my breast. + + From morn till evening's purple tinge, + In winsome helplessness she lies; + Two rose leaves, with a silken fringe, + Shut softly on her starry eyes. + + There's not in Ind a lovelier bird; + Broad earth owns not a happier nest + O God, thou hast a fountain stirred, + Whose waters never more shall rest! + + This beautiful, mysterious thing, + This seeming visitant from heaven, + This bird with the immortal wing, + To me--to me, thy hand has given. + + The pulse first caught its tiny stroke, + The blood its crimson hue, from mine-- + This life, which I have dared invoke, + Henceforth is parallel with thine. + + A silent awe is in my room-- + I tremble with delicious fear; + The future with its light and gloom, + Time and Eternity are here. + + Doubts--hopes, in eager tumult rise; + Hear, O my God! one earnest prayer:-- + Room for my bird in Paradise, + And give her angel plumage there! + + _Maulmain_, January, 1848. + +The following touching lines show that she could skilfully employ her +ready pen in consoling those on whom had fallen the stroke of +bereavement: + + LINES + +_Addressed to a missionary friend in Burmah on the death of her little +boy, thirteen months old, in which allusion is made to the previous +death of his little brother._ + + A mound is in the graveyard, + A short and narrow bed; + No grass is growing on it, + And no marble at its head: + Ye may sit and weep beside it + Ye may kneel and kiss the sod, + But ye'll find no balm for sorrow, + In the cold and silent clod. + + There is anguish in the household, + It is desolate and lone, + For a fondly cherished nursling + From the parent nest has flown; + A little form is missing; + A heart has ceased to beat; + And the chain of love lies shattered + At the desolator's feet. + + Remove the empty cradle, + His clothing put away, + And all his little playthings + With your choicest treasures lay; + Strive not to check the tear drops, + That fall like summer rain, + For the sun of hope shines thro' them-- + Ye shall see his face again. + + Oh! think where rests your darling,-- + Not in his cradle bed; + Not in the distant graveyard, + With the still and mouldering dead + But in a heavenly mansion, + Upon the Saviour's breast, + With his brother's arms about him, + He takes his sainted rest. + + He has put on robes of glory + For the little robes ye wrought; + And he fingers golden harp strings + For the toys his sisters brought. + Oh, weep! but with rejoicing; + A heart gem have ye given, + And behold its glorious setting + In the diadem of Heaven. + +The following letter and beautiful poems need little explanation. The +letter is addressed to some of Dr. Judson's children, who resided in +Worcester, Massachusetts, having been sent home from India to be +educated in America. His health having failed, Dr. J. had sailed for the +Isle of Bourbon for its restoration, and it was during his absence that +these effusions were penned. + + Maulmain, April 11, 1850. + + My very dear Children, + + I have painful news to tell you--news that I am sure will make your + hearts ache; but I hope our heavenly Father will help you to bear + it. Your dear papa is very, very ill indeed; so much so that the + best judges fear that he will never be any better. He began to fail + about five months ago, and has declined so gradually that we were + not fully aware of his danger until lately; but within a few weeks + those who love him have become very much alarmed. + + In January we went down to Mergui by the steamer, and when we + returned, thought he was a little better, but he soon failed again. + We spent a month at Amherst, but he received little if any benefit. + Next, the doctors pronounced our house (the one you used to live + in) unhealthy, and we moved to another. But all was of no use. Your + dear papa continued to fail, till suddenly, one evening, his + muscular strength gave way and he was prostrated on the bed, unable + to help himself. This occurred about two weeks ago. The doctor now + became alarmed, and said the only hope for him was in a long + voyage. It was very hard to think of such a thing in his reduced + state, particularly as I could not go with him; but after we had + wept and prayed over it one day and night, we concluded that it was + our duty to use the only means which God had left us, however + painful. + + We immediately engaged his passage on board a French barque, bound + for the Isle of Bourbon; but before it sailed he had become so very + low that no one thought it right for him to go alone. They + therefore called a meeting of the mission and appointed Mr. Ranney. + It was a great relief to me, for he is a very kind man, and loves + your dear papa very much; and he will do everything that can be + done for his comfort. The officers of the vessel too, seemed + greatly interested for him, as did every one else. He was carried + on board a week ago yesterday, in a litter, and placed on a nice + easy cot made purposely for him. I stayed with him all day, and at + dark came home to stay with the children. + + The next day found that the vessel had only dropped down a little + distance, and so I took a boat and followed. I expected this would + certainly be the last day with him, but it was not. On Friday I + went again, and though he did not appear as well as on the previous + days, I was forced to take, as I then supposed, a final leave of + him. But when morning came, I felt as though I could not live + through the day without knowing how he was. So I took a boat again, + and reached the vessel about 2 o'clock P.M. He could only + speak in whispers, but seemed very glad that I came. The natives I + had sent to fan him till he should get out of the river, came to me + and begged to have him taken on shore again: and so small was my + hope of his recovery, that my heart pleaded on their side, though I + still thought it a duty to do as the doctor had ordered. I came + away at dark, and though his lips moved to say some word of + farewell, they made no sound. + + I hope that you, my dear boys, will never have cause to know what a + heavy heart I bore back to my desolate home that night. The vessel + got out to sea about 4 o'clock on Monday, and last night the + natives returned, bringing a letter from Mr. Ranney. Your precious + papa has revived again--spoke aloud--took a little tea and + toast--said there was something animating in the touch of the sea + breeze, and directed Mr. Ranney to write to me that he had a strong + belief it was the will of God to restore him again to health. I + feel somewhat encouraged, but dare not hope too much. + + And now, my dear boys, it will be three, perhaps four long months + before we can hear from our beloved one again, and we shall all be + very anxious. All we can do is to commit him to the care of our + heavenly Father, and, if we never see him again in this world, pray + that we may be prepared to meet him in heaven + + * * * * * + + Your most affectionate mother, + + Emily C. Judson + + PRAYER FOR DEAR PAPA. + + Poor and needy little children, + Saviour, God, we come to Thee, + For our hearts are full of sorrow, + And no other hope have we. + Out, upon the restless ocean, + There is one we dearly love,-- + Fold him in thine arms of pity, + Spread thy guardian wings above. + + When the winds are howling round him, + When the angry waves are high, + When black, heavy, midnight shadows, + On his trackless pathway lie, + Guide and guard him, blessed Saviour, + Bid the hurrying tempests stay; + Plant thy foot upon the waters. + Send thy smile to light his way. + + When he lies, all pale, and suffering, + Stretched upon his narrow bed, + With no loving face bent o'er him, + No soft hand about his head, + O, let kind and pitying angels, + Their bright forms around him bow; + Let them kiss his heavy eyelids, + Let them fan his fevered brow. + + Poor and needy little children, + Still we raise our cry to Thee + We have nestled in his bosom, + We have sported on his knee; + Dearly, dearly do we love him, + --We, who on his breast have lain-- + Pity now our desolation! + Bring him back to us again! + + If it please thee, Heavenly Father, + We would see him come once more, + With his olden step of vigor, + With the love-lit smile he wore; + But if we must tread Life's valley, + Orphaned, guideless, and alone, + Let us lose not, 'mid the shadows, + His dear footprints to thy Throne. + + _Maulmain_, April, 1850. + + SWEET MOTHER. + + The wild, south-west Monsoon has risen, + With broad, gray wings of gloom, + While here, from out my dreary prison, + I look, as from a tomb--Alas! + My heart another tomb. + + Upon the low-thatched roof, the rain, + With ceaseless patter, falls; + My choicest treasures bear its stain-- + Mould gathers on the walls--Would Heaven + 'Twere only on the walls! + + Sweet Mother! I am here alone, + In sorrow and in pain; + The sunshine from my heart has flown, + It feels the driving rain--Ah, me! + The chill, and mould, and rain. + + Four laggard months have wheeled their round + Since love upon it smiled; + And everything of earth has frowned + On thy poor, stricken child--sweet friend, + Thy weary, suffering child. + + I'd watched my loved one, night and day. + Scarce breathing when he slept; + And as my hopes were swept away, + I'd on his bosom wept--O God! + How had I prayed and wept! + + They bore him from me to the ship, + As bearers bear the dead; + I kissed his speechless, quivering lip, + And left him on his bed--Alas! + It seemed a coffin-bed! + + When from my gentle sister's tomb, + In all our grief, we came, + Rememberest thou her vacant room! + Well, his was just the same, that day. + The very, very same. + + Then, mother, little Charley came-- + Our beautiful fair boy, + With my own father's cherished name-- + But oh, he brought no joy!--My child + Brought mourning, and no joy. + + His little grave I cannot see, + Though weary months have sped + Since pitying lips bent over me, + And whispered, "He is dead!"--Alas + 'Tis dreadful to be dead! + + I do not mean for one like me, + --So weary, worn, and weak,-- + Death's shadowy paleness seems to be + Even now, upon my cheek--his seal + On form, and brow and cheek. + + But for a bright-winged bird like him, + To hush his joyous song, + And, prisoned in a coffin dim, + Join Death's pale, phantom throng--_My boy_ + To join that grisly throng! + + Oh, Mother, I can scarcely bear + To think of this to-day! + It was so exquisitely fair, + --That little form of clay--my heart + Still lingers by his clay. + + And when for one loved far, far more, + Come thickly gathering tears; + My star of faith is clouded o'er, + I sink beneath my fears--sweet friend, + My heavy weight of fears. + + Oh, should he not return to me, + Drear, drear must be life's night! + And, mother, I can almost see + Even now the gathering blight--my soul + Faints, stricken by the blight. + + Oh, but to feel thy fond arms twine + Around me, once again! + It almost seems those lips of thine + Might kiss away the pain--might soothe + This dull, cold, heavy pain. + + But, gentle Mother, through life's storms, + I may not lean on thee, + For helpless, cowering little forms + Cling trustingly to me--Poor babes! + To have no guide but me! + + With weary foot, and broken wing, + With bleeding heart, and sore, + Thy Dove looks backward, sorrowing, + But seeks the ark no more--thy breast + Seeks never, never more. + + Sweet Mother, for this wanderer pray, + That loftier faith be given; + Her broken reeds all swept away, + That she may lean on Heaven--her soul + Grow strong on Christ and Heaven. + + All fearfully, all tearfully, + Alone and sorrowing. + My dim eye lifted to the sky, + Fast to the cross I cling--O Christ! + To thy dear cross I cling. + + _Maulmain_, August 8th, 1850 + +From the sad voyage which drew forth this most touching poem Dr. Judson +never returned. He died on board the ship which was bearing him to more +healthful climes; and his body was committed to the ocean. One of the +most excellent of Mrs. Judson's productions is her account of the +closing scenes in her husband's life, contained in a letter to his +sister. Long as it is, we cannot bring ourselves to abridge it. It will +convince our readers that if the three whose lives we have +sketched, have been among the first of women, they were united to one +who knew and appreciated their excellence, and who was _worthy_ to share +their affection. + + +CLOSING SCENES IN THE LIFE OF DR. JUDSON. + +BY HIS WIDOW. + +Last month I could do no more than announce to you our painful +bereavement, which though not altogether unexpected, will, I very well +know, fall upon your heart with overwhelming weight. You will find the +account of your brother's last days on board the Aristide Marie, in a +letter written by Mr. Ranney from Mauritius, to the Secretary of the +Board; and I can add nothing to it, with the exception of a few +unimportant particulars, gleaned in conversation with Mr. R. and the +Coringa servant. I grieve that it should be so--that I was not permitted +to watch beside him during those days of terrible suffering; but the +pain, which I at first felt, is gradually yielding to gratitude for the +inestimable privileges which had previously been granted me. + +There was something exceedingly beautiful in the decline of your +brother's life--more beautiful than I can describe, though the +impression will remain with me as a sacred legacy, until I go to meet +him where suns shall never set, and life shall never end. He had been, +from my first acquaintance with him, an uncommonly spiritual Christian, +exhibiting his richest graces in the unguarded intercourse of private +life; but during his last year, it seemed as though the light of the +world on which he was entering, had been sent to brighten his upward +pathway. Every subject on which we conversed, every book we read, every +incident that occurred, whether trivial or important, had a tendency to +suggest some peculiarly spiritual train of thought, till it seemed to +me that more than ever before, "Christ was all his theme." Something of +the same nature was also noted in his preaching, to which I then had not +the privilege of listening. He was in the habit, however, of studying +his subject for the Sabbath, audibly, and in my presence, at which time +he was frequently so much affected as to weep, and some times so +overwhelmed with the vastness of his conceptions, as to be obliged to +abandon his theme and choose another. My own illness at the commencement +of the year had brought eternity very near to us, and rendered death, +the grave, and the bright heaven beyond it, familiar subjects of +conversation. Gladly would I give you, my dear sister, some idea of the +share borne by him in those memorable conversations; but it would be +impossible to convey, even to those who knew him best, the most distant +conception. I believe he has sometimes been thought eloquent, both in +conversation and in the sacred desk; but the fervid, burning eloquence, +the deep pathos, the touching tenderness, the elevation of thought, and +intense beauty of expression, which characterized those private +teachings, were not only beyond what I had ever heard before, but such +as I felt sure arrested his own attention, and surprised even himself. +About this time he began to find unusual satisfaction and enjoyment in +his private devotions; and seemed to have few objects of interest +continually rising in his mind each of which in turn became special +subjects of prayer. Among these, one of the most prominent was the +conversion of his posterity. He remarked, that he had always prayed for +his children, but that of late he had felt impressed with the duty of +praying for their children and their children's children down to the +latest generation. He also prayed most fervently, that his impressions +on this particular subject might be transferred to his sons and +daughters, and thence to their offspring, so that he should ultimately +meet a long unbroken line of descendants before the throne of God, where +all might join together in ascribing everlasting praises to their +Redeemer. + +Another subject, which occupied a large share of his attention, was that +of brotherly love. You are, perhaps, aware, that like all persons of his +ardent temperament, he was subject to strong attachments and aversions, +which he sometimes had difficulty in bringing under the controlling +influence of divine grace. He remarked that he had always felt more or +less of an affectionate interest in his brethren, as brethren--and some +of them he had loved very dearly for their personal qualities; but that +he was now aware he had never placed his standard of love high enough. +He spoke of them as children of God, redeemed by the Saviour's blood, +watched over and guarded by his love, dear to his heart, honored by him +in the election, and to be honored hereafter before the assembled +universe; and he said it was not sufficient to be kind and obliging to +such, to abstain from evil speaking, and make a general mention of them +in our prayers; but our attachment to them should be of the race, ardent +and exalted character--it would be so in heaven, and we lost +immeasurably by not beginning now. "As I have loved you, so ought ye +also to love one another," was a precept continually in his mind, and he +would often murmur, as though unconsciously, "'As I have loved you'--'as +I have loved you'"--then burst out with the exclamation, "Oh, the love +of Christ! the love of Christ!" + +His prayers for the mission were marked by an earnest, grateful +enthusiasm, and in speaking of missionary operations in general, his +tone was one of elevated triumph, almost of exultation--for he not only +felt an unshaken confidence in their final success but would often +exclaim, "What wonders--oh, what wonders God has already wrought!" + +I remarked, that during this year his literary labor, which he had never +liked, and upon which he had entered unwillingly and from a feeling of +necessity, was growing daily more irksome to him; and he always spoke of +it as his "heavy work," his "tedious work," "that wearisome dictionary," +&c., though this feeling led to no relaxation of effort. He longed, +however, to find some more spiritual employment, to be engaged in what +he considered more legitimate missionary labor, and drew delightful +pictures of the future, when his whole business would be but to preach +and to pray. + +During all this time I had not observed any failure in physical +strength; and though his mental exercises occupied a large share of my +thoughts when alone, it never once occurred to me that this might be the +brightening of the setting sun; my only feeling was that of pleasure, +that one so near to me was becoming so pure and elevated in his +sentiments, and so lovely and Christ-like in his character. In person he +had grown somewhat stouter than when in America, his complexion had a +healthful hue compared with that of his associates generally; and though +by no means a person of uniformly firm health, he seemed to possess such +vigor and strength of constitution, that I thought his life as likely to +be extended twenty years longer, as that of any member of the mission. +He continued his system of morning exercise, commenced when a student at +Andover, and was not satisfied with a common walk on level ground, but +always chose an up-hill path, and then frequently went bounding on his +way, with all the exuberant activity of boyhood. + +He was of a singularly happy temperament, although not of that even +cast, which never rises above a certain level, and is never depressed. +Possessing acute sensibilities, suffering with those who suffered and +entering as readily into the joys of the prosperous and happy, he was +variable in his moods; but religion formed such an essential element in +his character, and his trust in Providence was so implicit and habitual, +that he was never gloomy, and seldom more than momentarily disheartened. +On the other hand, being accustomed to regard all the events of this +life, however minute or painful, as ordered in wisdom and tending to one +great and glorious end, he lived in almost constant obedience to the +apostolic injunction, "Rejoice evermore!" He often told me that although +he had endured much personal suffering, and passed through many fearful +trials in the course of his eventful life, a kind Providence had also +hedged him round with precious, peculiar blessings, so that his joys had +far outnumbered his sorrows. + +Toward the close of September of last year, he said to me one evening, +"What deep cause have we for gratitude to God!--do you believe there are +any other two persons in the wide world so happy as we are?" +enumerating, in his own earnest manner, several sources of happiness, in +which our work as missionaries, and our eternal prospects, occupied a +prominent position. When he had finished his glowing picture, I +remarked (I scarcely know why, but there was a heavy cloud upon my +spirits that evening), "We are certainly very happy now, but it cannot +be so always--I am thinking of the time when one of us must stand beside +the bed, and see the other die." + +"Yes," he said, "that will be a sad moment; I felt it most deeply a +little while ago, but now it would not be strange if your life were +prolonged beyond mine--though I should wish if it were possible to spare +you that pain. It is the one left alone who suffers, not the one who +goes to be with Christ. If it should only be the will of God that we +might go together, like young James and his wife. But he will order all +things well, and we can safely trust our future to his hands." + +That same night we were roused from sleep by the sudden illness of one +of the children. There was an unpleasant, chilling dampness in the air, +as it came to us through the openings in the sloats above the windows, +which affected your brother very sensibly, and he soon began to shiver +so violently, that he was obliged to return to his couch, where he +remained under a warm covering until morning. In the morning he awoke +with a severe cold, accompanied by some degree of fever; but as it did +not seem very serious, and our three children were all suffering from a +similar cause, we failed to give it any especial attention. From that +time he was never well, though in writing to you before, I think I +dated the commencement of his illness, from the month of November, when +he laid aside his studies. I know that he regarded this attack as +trifling, and yet one evening he spent a long time in advising me with +regard to my future course, if I should be deprived of his guidance; +saying that it is always wise to be prepared for exigences of this +nature. After the month of November, he failed gradually, occasionally +rallying in such a manner as to deceive us all, but at each relapse +sinking lower than at the previous one, though still full of hope and +courage, and yielding ground only, inch by inch, as compelled by the +triumphant progress of disease. During some hours of every day he +suffered intense pain; but his naturally buoyant spirits and +uncomplaining disposition led him to speak so lightly of it, that I used +sometimes to fear the doctor, though a very skilful man, would be +fatally deceived. + +As his health declined, his mental exercises at first seemed deepened; +and he gave still larger portions of his time to prayer, conversing with +the utmost freedom on his daily progress, and the extent of his +self-conquest. Just before our trip to Mergui, which took place in +January, he looked up from his pillow one day with sudden animation, and +said to me earnestly, "I have gained the victory at last. I love every +one of Christ's redeemed, as I believe he would have me love them--in +the same manner, though not probably to the same degree as we shall love +one another in heaven; and gladly would I prefer the meanest of his +creatures, who bears his name, before myself." This he said in allusion +to the text, "In honor preferring one another," on which he had +frequently dwelt with great emphasis. After farther similar conversation +he concluded, "And now here I lie at peace with all the world, and what +is better still, at peace with my own conscience. I know that I am a +miserable sinner in the sight of God, with no hope but in the blessed +Saviour's merits; but I cannot think of any particular fault, any +peculiarly besetting sin, which it is now my duty to correct. Can you +tell me of any?" + +And truly, from this time no other word would so well express his state +of feeling, as that one of his own choosing--_peace_. He had no +particular exercises afterwards, but remained calm and serene, speaking +of himself daily as a great sinner, who had been overwhelmed with +benefits, and declaring, that he had never in all his life before, had +such delightful views of the unfathomable love and infinite +condescension of the Saviour, as were now daily opening before him. "Oh, +the love of Christ! the love of Christ!" he would suddenly exclaim, +while his eye kindled, and the tears chased each other down his cheeks, +"we cannot understand it now--but what a beautiful study for eternity!" + +After our return from Mergui, the doctor advised a still farther trial +of the effects of sea air and sea-bathing, and we accordingly proceeded +to Amherst, where we remained nearly a month. This to me was the darkest +period of his illness--no medical adviser, no friend at hand, and he +daily growing weaker and weaker. He began to totter in walking, clinging +to the furniture and walls, when he thought he was unobserved (for he +was not willing to acknowledge the extent of his debility), and his wan +face was of a ghastly paleness. His sufferings too were sometimes +fearfully intense, so that in spite of his habitual self-control, his +groans would fill the house. At other times a kind of lethargy seemed to +steal over him, and he would sleep almost incessantly for twenty-four +hours, seeming annoyed if he were aroused or disturbed. Yet there were +portions of the time, when he was comparatively comfortable, and +conversed intelligently; but his mind seemed to revert to former scenes, +and he tried to amuse me with stories of his boyhood--his college +days--his imprisonment in France, and his early missionary life. He had +a great deal also to say on his favorite theme. "The love of Christ:" +but his strength was too much impaired for any continuous mental effort. +Even a short prayer made audibly, exhausted him to such a degree that +he was obliged to discontinue the practice. + +At length I wrote to Maulmain, giving some expression of my anxieties +and misgivings, and our kind missionary friends, who had from the first +evinced all the tender interest and watchful sympathy of the nearest +kindred immediately sent for us--the doctor advising a sea-voyage. But +as there was no vessel in the harbor bound for a port sufficiently +distant, we thought it best, in the meantime, to remove from our old +dwelling, which had long been condemned as unhealthy, to another +mission-house, fortunately empty. This change was at first attended with +the most beneficial results, and our hopes revived so much, that we +looked forward to the approaching rainy season for entire restoration. +But it lasted only a little while, and then both of us became convinced, +that though a voyage at sea involved much that was exceedingly painful, +it yet presented the only prospect of recovery, and could not, +therefore, without a breach of duty, be neglected. + +"Oh, if it were only the will of God to take me now--to let me die +here!" he repeated over and over again, in a tone of anguish, while we +where considering the subject. "I cannot, cannot go!--this is almost +more than I can bear! was there ever suffering like our suffering!" and +the like broken expressions, were continually falling from his lips. +But he soon gathered more strength of purpose; and after the decision +was fairly made, he never hesitated for a moment, rather regarding the +prospect with pleasure. I think the struggle which this resolution cost, +injured him very materially; though probably it had no share in bringing +about the final result. God, who saw the end from the beginning had +counted out his days, and they were hastening to a close. Until this +time he had been able to stand, and to walk slowly from room to room; +but as he one evening attempted to rise from his chair, he was suddenly +deprived of his small remnant of muscular strength, and would have +fallen to the floor, but for timely support. + +From that moment his decline was rapid. As he lay helplessly upon his +couch, and watched the swelling of his feet, and other alarming +symptoms, he became very anxious to commence his voyage, and I felt +equally anxious to have his wishes gratified. I still hoped he might +recover--the doctor said the chances of life and death were in his +opinion equally balanced--and then he always loved the sea so dearly! +There was something exhilarating to him in the motion of a vessel, and +he spoke with animation of getting free from the almost suffocating +atmosphere incident to the hot season, and drinking in the fresh sea +breezes He talked but little more, however, than was necessary to +indicate his wants, his bodily sufferings being too great to allow of +conversation; but several times he looked up to me with a bright smile, +and exclaimed as heretofore, "Oh, the love of Christ! the love of +Christ!" + +I found it difficult to ascertain, from expressions casually dropped, +from time to time, his real opinion with regard to his recovery; but I +thought there was some reason to doubt whether he was fully aware of his +critical situation. I did not suppose he had any preparation to make at +this late hour, and I felt sure that if he should be called ever so +unexpectedly, he would not enter the presence of his Maker with a +ruffled spirit; but I could not bear to have him go away, without +knowing how doubtful it was whether our next meeting would not be in +eternity; and perhaps too, in my own distress, I might still have looked +for words of encouragement and sympathy, to a source which had never +before failed. + +It was late in the night, and I had been performing some little +sick-room offices, when suddenly he looked up to me, and exclaimed, +"This will never do! You are killing yourself for me, and I will not +permit it You must have some one to relieve you. If I had not been made +selfish by suffering, I should have insisted upon it long ago." + +He spoke so like himself--with the earnestness of health, and in a tone +to which my ear had of late been a stranger, that for a moment I felt +almost bewildered with sudden hope. He received my reply to what he had +said, with a half-pitying, half-gratified smile, but in the meantime his +expression had changed--the marks of excessive debility were again +apparent, and I could not forbear adding, "It is only a little while, +you know." + +"Only a little while," he repeated mournfully; "this separation is a +bitter thing, but it does not distress me now as it did--I am too weak." +"You have no reason to be distressed," I answered, "with such glorious +prospects before you. You have often told me it is the one left alone +who suffers, not the one who goes to be with Christ." He gave me a +rapid, questioning glance, then assumed for several moments an attitude +of deep thought. Finally, he slowly unclosed his eyes, and fixing them +on me, said in a calm, earnest tone, "I do not believe I am going to +die. I think I know why this illness has been sent upon me--I needed +it--I feel that it has done me good--and it is my impression, that I +shall now recover, and be a better and more useful man." + +"Then it is your wish to recover?" I inquired. "If it should be the will +of God, yes. I should like to complete the dictionary, on which I have +bestowed so much labor, now that it is so nearly done; for though it +has not been a work that pleased my taste, or quite satisfied my +feelings, I have never underrated its importance. Then after that come +all the plans we have formed. Oh, I feel as though only just beginning +to be prepared for usefulness." + +"It is the opinion of most of the mission," I remarked, "that you will +not recover." "I know it is," he replied; "and I suppose they think me +an old man, and imagine that it is nothing for one like me to resign a +life so full of trials. But I am not old--at least in that sense--you +know I am not. Oh! no man ever left this world with more inviting +prospects, with brighter hopes or warmer feelings--warmer feelings"--he +repeated, and burst into tears. His face was perfectly placid, even +while the tears broke away from the closed lids, and rolled, one after +another, down to the pillow. There was no trace of agitation or pain in +his manner of weeping, but it was evidently the result of acute +sensibilities, combined with great physical weakness. To some +suggestions which I ventured to make, he replied, "It is not that--I +know all that, and feel it in my inmost heart. Lying here on my bed, +when I could not talk, I have had such views of the loving condescension +of Christ, and the glories of heaven, as I believe are seldom granted to +mortal man. It is not because I shrink from death, that I wish to live; +neither is it because the ties that bind me here though some of them +are very sweet, bear any comparison with the drawings I at times feel +towards heaven; but a few years would not be missed from my eternity of +bliss, and I can well afford to spare them, both for your sake and for +the sake of the poor Burmans. I am not tired of my work, neither am I +tired of the world; yet when Christ calls me home. I shall go with the +gladness of a boy bounding away from his school. Perhaps I feel +something like the young bride, when she contemplates resigning the +pleasant associations of her childhood, for a yet dearer home--though +only a very little like her--for _there is no doubt resting on my +future_." "Then death would not take you by surprise," I remarked, "if +it should come even before you could get on board ship." "Oh, no," he +said, "death will never take me by surprise--do not be afraid of that--I +feel _so strong in Christ_. He has not led me so tenderly thus far, to +forsake me at the very gate of heaven. No, no; I am willing to live a +few years longer, if it should be so ordered; and if otherwise, I am +willing and glad to die now. I leave myself entirely in the hands of +God, to be disposed of according to his holy will." + +The next day some one mentioned in his presence, that the native +Christians were greatly opposed to the voyage, and that many other +persons had a similar feeling with regard to it I thought he seemed +troubled; and after the visitor had withdrawn, I inquired if he still +felt as when he conversed with me the night previous. He replied, "Oh +yes; that was no evanescent feeling. It has been with me, to a greater +or less extent, for years, and will be with me, I trust, to the end. I +am ready to go _to-day_--if it should be the will of God, this very +hour; but I am not _anxious_ to die--at least when I am not beside +myself with pain." + +"Then why are you so desirous to go to sea? I should think it would be a +matter of indifference to you." "No," he answered quietly, "my judgment +tells me it would be wrong not to go--the doctor says _criminal_. I +shall certainly die here--if I go away, I may possibly recover. There is +no question with regard to duty in such a case; and I do not like to see +any hesitation, even though it springs from affection." + +He several times spoke of a burial at sea, and always as though the +prospect were agreeable. It brought, he said, a sense of freedom and +expansion and seemed far pleasanter than the confined, dark, narrow +grave, to which he had committed so many that he loved. And he added, +that although his burial-place was a matter of no real importance, yet +he believed it was not in human nature to be altogether without a +choice. + +I have already given you an account of the embarkation, of my visits to +him while the vessel remained in the river, and of our last sad, silent +parting; and Mr. Ranney has finished the picture. You will find in this +closing part, some dark shadows, that will give you pain; but you must +remember that his present felicity is enhanced by those very sufferings, +and we should regret nothing that serves to brighten his crown in glory. +I ought also to add, that I have gained pleasanter impressions in +conversation with Mr. R. than from his written account; but it would be +difficult to convey them to you; and, as he whom they concern was +accustomed to say of similar things, "you will learn it all in heaven." + +During the last hour of your sainted brother's life, Mr. Ranney bent +over him and held his hand; while poor Pinapah stood at a little +distance weeping bitterly. The table had been spread in the cuddy, as +usual, and the officers did not know what was passing in the cabin, till +summoned to dinner. Then they gathered about the door, and watched the +closing scene with solemn reverence. Now--thanks to a merciful God! his +pains had left him, not a momentary spasm disturbed his placid face, nor +did the contraction of a muscle denote the least degree of suffering; +the agony of death was passed, and his wearied spirit was turning to its +rest in the bosom of his Saviour. From time to time, he pressed the hand +in which his own was resting, his clasp losing in force at each +successive pressure; while his shortened breath (though there was no +struggle, no gasping, as if it came and went with difficulty) gradually +grew softer and fainter, until it died upon the air--and he was gone. +Mr. Ranney closed the eyes, and composed the passive limbs,--the ship's +officers stole softly from the door, and the neglected meal was left +upon the board untasted. + +They lowered him to his ocean-grave without a prayer; for his freed +spirit had soared above the reach of earthly intercession, and to the +foreigners who stood around, it would have been a senseless form. And +there they left him in his unquiet sepulchre; but it matters little, for +we know that while the unconscious clay is "drifting on the shifting +currents of the restless main," nothing can disturb the hallowed rest of +the immortal spirit. Neither could he have a more fitting monument, than +the blue waves which visit every coast; for his warm sympathies went +forth to the ends of the earth, and included the whole family of man. It +is all as God would have it, and our duty is but to bend meekly to his +will, and wait, in faith and patience, till we also shall be summoned +home. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +CONCLUSION. + + + * * * * "Last scene of all + To close this sad, eventful history." + +Scarcely four years ago,--in sickness and loneliness, and sad +suspense,--in her Burman home, from which had departed (alas, forever!) +its light and head--Emily C. Judson penned the foregoing beautiful +letter. Read again its closing sentence,[11] and note how short a time +she has "waited in faith and patience;" how _soon_ she has been +"summoned home." For _her_, it would be wrong for us to mourn. She has +rejoined that circle, which she loved so well on earth, in a land where + + "Sickness and sorrow, pain and death + Are felt and _feared_ no more." + +But to her aged parents--to the little flock to whom she was as the +tenderest mother--to the literary world, which enjoyed the ripe fruits +of her genius--to the Christian world, of which she was a shining +ornament and glory, her loss is irreparable. In her own inimitable +words, we may exclaim: + + "Weep, ye bereaved! a dearer head + Ne'er left the pillowing breast; + The good, the pure, the lovely fled, + When mingling with the shadowy dead + She meekly went to rest. + + "Angels, rejoice! another string + Has caught the strains above, + Rejoice, rejoice! a new-fledged wing + Around the throne is hovering, + In sweet, glad, wondering love." + +But though one of the sweet fountains that well up here and there in our +desert world, and surround themselves with greenness, and beauty, and +life, has been exhaled to heaven, still it is refreshing to know that +its streams, which made glad so many hearts, have not perished, for they +were of "living water, springing up" into immortality. The writer is +lost to us; her writings remain. By them "she being dead yet speaketh," +and through them, whensoever we will, she may talk with us. + +Mrs. Judson's final malady was consumption, but for several years her +health had been feeble. One who saw her just before she left America +says: "Looking upon her, we saw at once that it was a spirit which had +already outworn its frame--a slight, pale, delicate, and transparent +creature, every thought and feeling shining through, and every word and +movement tremulous with fragility. * * * We said farewell with no +thought that she would ever return." + +From her voyage across the ocean she suffered less than was apprehended, +and for a time she found the climate of India rather congenial than +otherwise to her constitution. Her short residence at Rangoon, whither +her husband removed with his family soon after reaching Burmah, was +indeed a period of great suffering, and would have given a shock to a +much hardier constitution. Her narrative of their sufferings there, +contained in the life of her husband, by Dr. Wayland, excites our wonder +that she survived them. But after their removal to Maulmain, she was +restored to comparative health. + +A letter from her husband, written in the latter part of 1848, when her +little Emily Frances, her "bird," was one year old, gives a glowing +picture of their happiness and their labors. He playfully says: "Even +'the young romance writer' had made a little book, (Scripture +questions,) and she manages to conduct a Bible class, and native female +prayer-meetings, so that I hope she will yet come to some good." + +But a letter written to Miss Anable, Philadelphia, in the spring of +1849, is in a different strain: "A dark cloud is gathering round me. A +crushing weight is upon me. I cannot resist the dreadful conviction +that dear Emily is in a settled and rapid decline." After speaking of +the many means he had unsuccessfully employed for her restoration, he +says "The symptoms are such that I have scarcely any hope left. * * * If +a change to any place promised the least relief, I would go anywhere. +But we are here in the healthiest part of India, in the dry, warm +season, and she suffers so much at sea that a voyage could hardly be +recommended for itself. My only hope is, the doctor declares her lungs +are not seriously affected. * * * When at Tavoy, she made up her mind +that she must die soon, and that is now her prevailing expectation; but +she contemplates the event with composure and resignation. * * * Though +she feels that in her circumstances, prolonged life is exceedingly +desirable, she is quite willing to leave all at the Savior's call. +Praise be to God for his love to her." Some days later he adds: "Emily +is better. * * * But though the deadly-pressure is removed from my +heart, I do not venture to indulge any sanguine hopes after what I have +seen. * * * Do remember us in your prayers." + +The doctor's predictions proved correct; Mrs. Judson partially recovered +from this attack, although in August her husband writes: "Emily's health +is very delicate--her hold on life very precarious." + +Alas! his own hold on life was more precarious still. In the following +spring, the heart that had beat for her so fondly and truly was +consigned to its "unquiet sepulchre;" "the blue waves which visit every +coast" his only and "fitting monument;" while the object of his tender +solicitude was compelled to endure four months the agony of suspense as +to _his_ fate, terminated by the sad certainty of his death.[12] + +After the death of her husband, Mrs. Judson expressed a strong desire to +remain in Burmah and devote herself to the cause which was so dear to +her husband's and her own heart. But her health, always delicate, was so +unfavorably affected by that climate that her physicians were of opinion +another rainy season would terminate her life. A numerous family of +children, several of whom were in this country, needed her maternal care +and guidance; and for their sakes, as well as for her own, she left +Burmah in the winter following her husband's death, and arrived in this +country in October, 1851, after an absence of five years and three +months. She found in the beautiful village of Hamilton a sequestered and +lovely home for herself and her family, which consisted of her aged +parents, the five children of Sarah B. Judson, and her own "bird," Emily +Frances. The cares of her family, and literary labors, here divided her +time until the prostration of her health by her last sickness, since +which period she has "set her house in order,"[13] and calmly awaited +the summons of death. Peacefully and sweetly did the summons come, and +on the first of June she fell asleep in Jesus. With a sister poet she +might have said-- + + "I'm passing through the eternal gates, + Ere June's sweet roses blow." + +She had often spoken of this rich and glorious month as her "time to +die," and repeated Bryant's hymn,-- + + "'Twere pleasant that in flowery June, + When brooks send up a cheerful tune, + And groves a joyous sound, + The sexton's hand my grave to make, + The rich, green mountain-turf should break." + +Nature had no more ardent lover than she; and it is pleasant to think +that her dust is returning to dust in a lovely village church-yard, +under the "pure air of heaven, and amid the luxuriance of flowers." +Pleasant also is it to read that a vast concourse of sincere admirers +and loving friends, and among them all her children, eagerly testified +their respect to her, by attending her remains to their burial. To her +glorified spirit such manifestations may indeed be of little moment. Yet +even her glorified spirit may feel a new thrill of pleasure in +beholding, from its serene sphere, the love that prompted them, and +sought in the choice of her last resting-place to give even to the +unconscious dead one more proof of affection. + +In so imperfect a sketch as ours, a delineation of the character of Mrs. +Judson will not be attempted. We would not, if we could, anticipate her +memoir, which, it is said, will soon be published. From documents open +to the public, we shall merely glean such notices of her life and +character as shall induce in our readers a desire to know those details +of her personal history which will doubtless be found in her biography. + +From what we can learn, we infer that the prominent traits in her +character were strong affections, energy, and disinterestedness. Of a +slight and delicate frame and constitution, and a sensibility almost +amounting to sensitiveness, she at an early age engaged in duties and +made sacrifices scarcely expected from the robust and vigorous. And her +exertions had for their end mainly to benefit those she loved. Whether +she taught in the district school, or in the higher seminary, or wrote +Sunday-school books, or contributed to literary periodicals, her +affection for her mother, and desire to lighten her burdens, seem to +have stimulated her exertions and called forth her powers. In her early +religious experience, the same disinterestedness manifested itself; for +no sooner did she feel the renewing power of faith in her own heart, +than she longed to impart even to the distant heathen the same precious +blessing.[14] Unselfish affection is also, we think, a strongly marked +trait in her married life. Not long after their arrival in Burmah, Mr. +Judson writes: "Emily loves the children as if they were her own." And +again, nearly two years later: "We are a deliciously happy family;" and +again, "Emily has taken to my two boys as if they were her own; so that +we are a very happy family; not a happier, I am sure, on the broad +earth." + +Another proof of the same trait, was her loving and sympathetic +appreciation of a peculiar trait in her husband, which, had her +disposition been less noble, might have caused her some annoyance. Of +this trait Dr. Wayland thus speaks: "There was a feature in Dr. Judson's +affection as a husband, which was, I think, peculiar. He was, as it is +well known, married three times, and no man was ever more tenderly +attached to each of his wives. The present affection, however, seemed in +no respect to lessen his affection for those for whom he mourned. He +ever spoke of those who had gone before, with undiminished interest. In +one of his letters to his daughter, after saying he did not believe +there existed on earth so happy a family as his, he soon after adds: 'My +tears fall frequently for her who lies in her lone bed at St. Helena.' +It was at his suggestion that Mrs. Emily Judson wrote the life of her +predecessor. He frequently refers with delight to the time when he, and +all those whom he so much loved, shall meet in Paradise, no more to +part, but to spend an eternity together in the presence of Christ. Those +that were once loved were loved to the end; but this did not prevent the +bestowment of an equal amount of affection on a successor." To quote +the words of another, speaking of Mrs. Mary Ware, who, placed in similar +circumstances to Mrs. Judson, showed the same noble superiority to a +common weakness of her sex: "She had no sympathy and little respect for +that narrow view which insists that the departed and the living cannot +share the same pure love of the same true heart. With regard to a former +wife--'she was the nearest and dearest to him'--she would say, 'how then +can I do otherwise than love and cherish her memory?' And _her_ children +she received as a precious legacy; they were to her from the first +moment like her own; neither she nor they knew any distinction." + +Since writing the above, we have seen a poem, entitled "Love's Last +Wish," addressed to her husband, by Mrs. Judson when she thought herself +near death, which expresses so beautifully the sentiment we have here +attributed to her, that, did our limits permit, we would copy the whole. +We can only give an extract. + + "Thou say'st I'm fading day by day, + And in thy face I read thy fears; + It would be hard to pass away + So soon, and leave thee to thy tears. + I hoped to linger by thy side, + Until thy homeward call was given, + Then silent to my pillow glide, + And wake upon thy breast in heaven. + + * * * * * + + "I do not ask to be forgot; + I've read thy heart in every line, + And know that there one sacred spot, + Whate'er betide, will still be mine, + For death but lays its mystic spell + Upon affection's earthliness,-- + I know that, though thou lov'st me well, + _Thou lov'st thy sainted none the less_. + + * * * * * + + And when at last we meet above, + Where marriage vows are never spoken, + _We all shall form one chain of love_, + Whose spirit-links can ne'er be broken." + +Of Mrs. Judson's happiness in her married and missionary life, we feel +bound to say a few words, because the tone of some articles, written +since her death, would lead to the impression that, so far from having +had any enjoyment as a wife, a mother, and a missionary, she had +sacrificed not only all her literary aspirations, but her whole earthly +happiness to her desire to benefit the heathen. Thus one widely +circulated article speaks of her mission-life as a "slow martyrdom of +sacrifices and sorrows;" * * * as "filled with bitterness,"--speaks, +too, of the agony wrung out of her heart by suspense in regard to her +husband's fate, expressed in that exquisite piece to her mother, (page +334,) as "one hour of the _years she suffered_ in Burmah." That the +life of any faithful missionary is one of exile, toil, and privation, we +are not disposed to deny. The world knows it too well; and seeing that +such toils are uncheered by the acquisition of fame or wealth--the only +reward it can appreciate--the world considers the life of the missionary +a living death, endured like martyrdom, only for the sake of its crown +in the life to come. But not in this light was their life considered by +the noble three whose history we have sketched in this volume, nor by +Dr. Judson. The elevated sources of happiness opened even in this world +to those who literally obey the command to forsake all for Christ, cast +far into the shade all merely selfish enjoyment; while the pure domestic +affections, and the bliss resulting from them, are as much the portion +of the missionary, as of his favored brethren at home. Who can read the +letters of Dr. Judson, in Dr. Wayland's memoir of him, or the exquisite +letters of his widow found in this volume, without the conviction that +the latter years of her life, privileged as they were with the high +companionship of one so gifted and so dear as was her husband, and in +the midst of social and domestic duties that brought their own exceeding +great reward, were, of all her years, the richest and the happiest! + +But her own idea of the comparative happiness of her _two lives_, may be +best gathered from her poetry, for it is a characteristic and charm of +her verse that it is the pouring forth of her deepest feelings at the +moment when they swayed her soul with strongest influence. We extract a +few verses from a poem written at Rangoon, during that period of great +physical suffering to which we have alluded, but of which Dr. Judson +writes: "My sojourn in Rangoon, though tedious and trying in some +respects, I regard as one of the greenest spots, one of the brightest +oases, in the diversified wilderness of my life. If this world is so +happy, what must heaven be?" + + + TO MY HUSBAND. + + "Tis May, but no sweet violet springs + In these strange woods and dells; + The dear home-lily never swings + Her little pearly bells; + But search my heart and thou wilt see + What wealth of flowers it owes to thee. + + The robin's voice is never heard + From palm and banyan trees; + And strange to me each gorgeous bird, + Whose pinion fans the breeze; + But love's white wing bends softly here, + Love's thrilling music fills my ear. + + * * * * * + + The pure, the beautiful, the good, + Ne'er gather in this place; + None but the vicious and the rude, + The dark of mind and face; + But _all the wealth of thy vast soul_ + Is pressed into my brimming bowl. + + * * * * * + + Here closely nestled by thy side, + Thy arm around me thrown, + I ask no more. _In mirth and pride_ + _I've stood--oh so alone_! + Now, what is all this world to me, + Since I have found my world in thee? + + Oh if we are so happy here, + Amid our toils and pains, + With thronging cares and dangers near + And marr'd by earthly stains, + How great must be the compass given + Our souls, to _bear_ the bliss of heaven!" + +As to the sacrifice of her literary taste and reputation, this is so far +from the fact, that we may assert without fear of contradiction, that +the world never knew her best excellence as a writer, till it was +startled, as it were, by her deathless utterances, wafted by east winds +from her Indian home. Her memoir of her predecessor, and her appeals for +Burmah, have thrilled thousands of hearts that knew nothing of her +"Alderbrook;" and her "Bird," has, perhaps, awakened in many a mother's +heart its first deep appreciation of the holy responsibilities of +maternity. The Christian world gained much, the literary world lost +nothing, when Fanny Forester became a missionary. + +But her harp is idle now, and its loosened strings will wait long for a +hand to tune and draw from them such soul-moving cadences as we have +been wont to hear. In purer air she sweeps a nobler lyre; and +methinks her song may well be, "Blessed are the dead that die in the +Lord; even so, saith the Spirit, for they rest from their labors, and +their works do follow them." + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 11: Page 356.] + +[Footnote 12: See her touching allusion to that suspense in the +thirteenth and fourteenth verses of her poem, "Sweet Mother," page 336.] + +[Footnote 13: These are no idle words, for, says the New York Recorder, +"Her love for the missionary enterprise found expression in an act, by +which she, being dead, will long speak through the living heralds of the +cross. By her will, as we learn from an authentic source, after +providing for the comfortable maintenance of her aged parents and the +support and education of her daughter and the other children of Dr. +Judson, with a small portion to each as they reach maturity, and a few +bequests to personal friends, whatever may remain of her property is +given to the cause for which she wished to live, in the same spirit that +her venerated husband so consistently exemplified. She was solicitous +that the children left in her guardianship should lack no good that a +Christian parent could desire beyond this, and the fulfillment of filial +duty, her single aim was the furtherance of His kingdom to whom her +heart was supremely loyal and her life unreservedly devoted." + +It is interesting to learn, from the same authority, that the youngest +of Mrs. S.B. Judson's five children, a boy of eight years, has been +adopted by Professor Dodge, of Madison University; and her own daughter, +by Miss Anable, of Philadelphia, one of the warmest friends of Mrs. E.C. +Judson. The other children are pursuing their education under different +guardians.] + +[Footnote 14: See page 323.] + + + + +Transcriber's Notes: + +The illustration tags at the beginning are for illustrations that were +near the beginning of the book in the original, but the transcriber +does not know exactly where. + +On page 77, the circumflex in "Shooda-gon" is a macron in the original. + +On page 363, it is unclear where the quote ends in Footnote 13. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Lives of the Three Mrs. Judsons +by Arabella W. Stuart + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIVES OF THE THREE MRS. 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