LIVES OF THE THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES ose, more firmly than ever. How evident it is that the Spirit of God had been operating in different places, and upon differ- ent individuals, preparing the way for those movements which have since pervaded the American churches, and will continue to increase until the kingdoms of this world become the king- doms of our Lord and of his Anointed !" LETTER TO HIS PARENTS. ANDOVER, June 29, 181(JP HON. PARENTS: The following is a copy of the letter which I directed to Dr. Bogue : DIVINITY COLLEGE, ANDOVER, MASS., April, 1810. REV. SIR : I have considered the subject of missions nearly a year, and have found my mind gradually tending to a deep conviction that it is my duty personally to engage in this ser- vice. Several of my brethren of this college may finally unite with me in my present resolution. On their, as well as my own behalf, I take the liberty of addressing you this letter. My object is to obtain information on certain points whether there is, at present, such a call for missionaries in India, Tar- tary, or any part of the eastern continent, as will induce the directors of the London Missionary Society to engage new mis- sionaries ; whether two or three young, unmarried men, having received a liberal education, and resided two years in this Di- vinity School, wishing to serve their Saviour in a heathen land, and, indeed, susceptible of a " passion for missions," whether such young men, arriving in England next spring, with full recommendations from the first Christian characters in this country, may expect to be received on probation by the direc- tors, and placed at the seminary in Gosport, if that be judged KEY. ADONIRAM JUDSON, D.D. 15 expedient ; and whether, provided they give satisfaction as to their fitness to undertake the work, all their necessary expenses after arriving in England shall be defrayed from the funds of the society, which funds will, it is hoped, be ultimately reim- bursed by supplies from the American churches. We have consulted our professors on this subject, particu larly Dr. Griffin, professor of oratory. He intends writing tc several in England, and perhaps to Dr. Bogue. But his en- gagements being such as will prevent his writing at present and wishing myself to receive a letter from you immediately. containing the desired information, I have written myself. I close with an earnest request that you will please transmit me an answer as soon as possible, and a prayer that your answer may be favorable to my most ardent wishes. (Signed,) ADONIRAM JUDSON, JR. Rev. Dr. Bogue, Gosport, England. P. S. I shall deem it a favor if you do not confine your re- marks to the points which I have proposed, but are pleased to give such general information and advice as you may think will be useful to me and my brethren. The following is a copy of the petition laid before the Gen- eral Association, this week convened in Bradford, composed of delegates from several Associations in this State, and from the General Associations of New Hampshire and Connecticut : The undersigned, members of the Divinity College, respect- fully request the attention of their reverend fathers, convened in the General Association at Bradford, to the following state- ment and inquiries : They beg leave to state that their minds have been long im- ' pressed with the duty and importance of personally attempting a mission to the heathen ; that the impressions on their minds have induced a serious, and, as they trust, a prayerful consid- eration of the subject in its various attitudes, particularly in relation to the probable success and the difficulties attending 16 SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF such an attempt ; and that, after examining all the information which they can obtain, they consider themselves as devoted to this work for life, whenever God, in his providence, shall open the way. They now offer the following inquiries, on which they solicit the opinion and advice of this association : Whether, with their present views and feelings, they ought to renounce the object of missions, as either visionary or impracticable ; if not, whether they ought to direct their attention to the eastern or the western world ; whether they may expect patronage and support from a missionary society in this country, or must commit them- Belves to the direction of a European society ; and what pre- paratory measures they ought to take, previous to actual en- gagement. The undersigned, feeling their youth and inexperience, look up to their fathers iu the church, and respectfully solicit their advice, direction, and prayers. Signed, ADONIRAM JUDSON, JR. SAMUEL MOTT, JR. SAMUEL J. MILLS. SAMUEL NEWELL. The petition quoted in the preceding letter was referred by the General Association of Massachusetts to a committee con- sisting of Rev. Messrs. Spring, Worcester, and Hale. The following report was made the next day by this committee, and unanimously adopted : The committee, to whom was referred the request of the young gentlemen, members of the Divinity College, for advice relative to missions to the heathen, beg leave to submit the fol- lowing report : The object of missions to the heathen cannot but be re- garded, by the friends of the Redeemer, as vastly interesting and important. It deserves the most serious attention of all who wish well to the best interests of mankind, and especially of those who devote themselves to the service of God, in the kingdom of his Son, under the impression of the special direo- REV. ADONIRAM JUDSON, D.D. 17 tion, " Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." The state of their minds, modestly expressed by the theological students who have presented themselves before this body, and the testimonies received respecting them, are such as deeply to impress the conviction that they ought not " to renounce the object of missions," but sacredly to cherish " their present views" in relation to that object : and it is sub- mitted whether the peculiar and abiding impressions, by which they are influenced, ought not to be gratefully recognized as a divine intimation of something good and great in relation to the propagation of the gospel, and calling for correspondent attention and exertions. Therefore, Voted, That there be instituted, by this General Association, a Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, for the pur- pose of devising ways and means, and adopting and prosecut- ing measures, for promoting the spread of the gospel in heathen lands. Voted, That the said Board of Commissioners consist of nine members, all of them, in the first instance, chosen by this As- sociation ; and afterwards, annually, five of them by this body, and four of them by the General Association of Connecticut. Provided, however, that, if the General Association of Con- necticut do not choose to unite in this object, the annual elec- tion of all the commissioners shall be by this General Associa- tion. It is understood that the Board of Commissioners, here con- templated, will adopt their own form of organization, and their own rules and regulations. Voted, That, fervently commending them to the grace oi God, we advise the young gentlemen, whose request is before us, in the way of earnest prayer and diligent attention to suitable studies and means of information, and putting them- selves under the patronage and direction of the Board of Com- missioners for Foreign Missions, humbly to wait the openings and guidance of Providence in respect to their great and excel- lent design. 2 18 SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF A subsequent meeting was afterwards held by the General Association, and the subject of Foreign Missions, with the pe- tition quoted above, more fully discussed. It was then decided to attempt an arrangement with the English Missionary So- ciety, to join with them in their efforts for diffusing Chris- tianity amongst the heathen, and Mr. Judson was appointed to go to England to ascertain whether such an arrangement waa practicable. His letter of instructions was as follows : LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE PRUDENTIAL COMMIT- TEE TO MR. JUDSON. MR. ADONIRAM JUDSON : As you and your brethren, Samuel Newell, Samuel Nott, and Gordon Hall, have professed to hold yourselves sacredly devoted to the service of Christ, in some part or parts of the heathen world, as in divine provi- dence a door may be opened to you, and as, with reference to this important object, you have chosen to place yourselves under the superintendence and direction of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, the Prudential Committee of the said board, after obtaining satisfaction in re- gard to your qualifications severally for the contemplated ser- vice, and seriously consulting on the subject at large, have judged it advisable to have a full and distinct understanding with the directors of the London Missionary Society, in rela- tion to the general object. For this purpose they have deter- mined on sending you, dear sir, to England, under the follow- ing instructions : Agreeably to arrangements made, you will sail for England in the ship Packet, and on your arrival at her port of destina- tion, you will proceed, as soon as convenient, to London, and deliver your letter of introduction to the Rev. George Burder, secretary of the London Missionary Society. Mr. Burder, we doubt not, will receive you with Christian courtesy, and from him, and his brethren of the Board of Directors, you will receive such notices as will enable you to accomplish, in the best manner, the design now in view. A principal object cf REV. ADONIRAM JUDSOX, D. D. 19 your attention will be to ascertain, as distinctly as possible, whether any and what arrangements can be made for a concert of measures, in relation to missions, between the American Board of Commissioners and the London Missionary Society ; particularly whether, if circumstances should render it desi- rable, you and your brethren can be supported in missionary service for any time by the London funds, without committing yourselves wholly and finally to the direction of the London society ; or whether it may be in any case consistent for the mission to be supported partly by them and partly by us ; and if so, under whose direction it must be held. On these points you will possess yourself of the views of the directors of the London society, and receive their propositions for our consid- eration. You will also, during your stay in England, avail yourself of your opportunities and advantages for obtaining ample and correct information relating to missionary fields, the requisite preparations for missionary services, the most eligible methods of executing missions, and generally to whatever may be conducive to the missionary interest ; and the most impor- tant parts of such information as you may obtain you will com- mit to writing for the use of the American Board. As it is not expected that you will be at your own charge in this engagement, you will keep a full account of your expendi- tures, for adjustment on your return. We commend you, dear brother, to the providence and the grace of God, with fervent prayers for your safety, your suc- cess, and your happiness. In behalf of the Prudential Com- mittee of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign M issions, Yours, dear brother, with great affection. SAMUEL WORCESTER. FROM THE REV. DR. WORCESTER, TO THE REV. GEORGE BURDER. SALEM, January 3(7, 1811. REV. AND DEAR SIR : Enclosed with this you will receive a printed paper, in which you will see in general what has 20 SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF recently been done in this country in relation to foreign mi* eious. Four young gentlemen, Messrs. Adoniram Judsun, Jr., Samuel Newell, and Samuel Nott, whose names you will flnd in the paper referred to, and Mr.' Gordon Hall, have offered themselves as candidates for missions to the heathen, under a solemn profession that they have devoted themselves to God for this arduous service, wherever in his providence he may see fit to employ them. These beloved brethren have ull passed through a course of collegial education, and received a collegial degree. Since leaving the universities, they have completed a course of studies at the theological institution in this vicinity, where they have acquitted themselves to the high satisfaction of their instructors and friends. According to our established order, they have been regularly licensed for the Christian ministry, and for a considerable time they have all preached in our churches to good acceptance. Their moral and Christian reputation is good, and their talents and attain- ments are respectable. Before the Prudential Committee of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missiona they have passed an examination in form, relative to their religious sentiments, their religious feelings, and their views in offering themselves for the missionary service ; and their answers and declarations throughout, were highly satisfactory. They profess their full belief in the articles of faith which are estab- lished in the theological institution, a copy of which you will receive ; and the Prudential Committee have great confidence that they have received the truth in love ; that they are persons of sincere and ardent piety ; that they have offered themselves for the missionary service from the best motives ; and, in a word, that they have qualifications for distinguished usefulness. The manner in which these young men have come forward, together with a similar disposition manifested by several others, has made, extensively, a deep impression, and excited a lively interest. It is gratefully hailed as an indication that the Lord is about to do something by his friends in this country, in fur- therance of the great design in which their brethren in Eng- land have been so nobly and so exemplarily engaged. REV. ADONIRAM JUDSON, D.D. 21 < Jn our own continent, indeed, there are many millions of men " sitting in darkness and in the ^gion and shadow of death," and our brethren in England may wonder that, while such is the fact, we should turn our views to any other part of the world. But the attempts which have been made to evan- gelize the aboriginal tribes of the North American wilderness have been attended with so many discouragements, and South America is yet in so unpromising a state, that the opinion very generally prevalent is, that for the pagans on this continent but very little can immediately be done. Hence, though the hope is entertained, that the time is coming when the benevolent exertions of the Redeemer's friends here, for spreading the knowledge of his name, may be successfully employed nearer home, yet at present the eastern world is thought to offer a more promising field. As yet, however, we have no adequate funds established for the support of distant and expensive missions. What may be done in the course of a short time we know not. It is the desire and the prayer of many, that American missionaries may have American support ; asd we are not without hope that He to whom the silver and the gold belong will open the hearts of the rich among us for this interesting purpose. Should this hope be realized, and missionary funds to any considerable amount be raised, they will probably be placed under such an arrangement as to be employed either in the East, or on our own continent, as divine Providence may direct. Under existing circumstances, the American Board are de- sirous to open a communication with the London Missionary Society, whose knowledge of missionary concerns is ample, and the praise of whose liberality and persevering exertions is in all parts of the world. For this purpose, Mr. Judson, one of the missionary brethren, of whom you have already some know ledge, and who has been favored with a letter from you, has been appointed to go to London. To your courtesy and Chris- tian attention he is most affectionately and respectfully recom- mended ; and for the particular objects for wuich he is sent, J beg leave to refer you to his letter of instructions. 22 SKETCH OF THE LIFE OP Besides the official testimonial contained in this letter, Mr. Judson will carry with him others, and particularly one from the faculty of the theological institution at Andover an insti- tution which, though young, is fast rising in importance, and in which, both on account of the principles on which it ia founded, and the ability and piety with which it is conducted, great confidence is reposed. Should these testimonials be sat- isfactory, and should it in the event be thought best that our young brethren should be resigned to the patronage and direc- tion of your society, your venerable and highly respected Board of Directors will judge, whether, after the course of studies through which they ha\v passed, it will be expedient for them to spend any time at your school at Gosport, and whether, for any purpose, it will be necessary for the other three to go to England, before they shall be actually engaged in your service. It may not be improper to state, that some of the young men propose to take wives with them to the missionary field. If this meet the approbation of your board, as we are not un- apprised of the laudable care which you take in regard to the character not only of your missionaries themselves, but also of their wives, we shall certainly consider it important that similar care be taken here. With great personal consideration, and in behalf of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, I tender to you, dear sir, and through you to your brethren of the Board of Directors, the most affectionate and respectful salutations. SAMUEL WORCESTER, Cor. Sec. Rev. George Burder, Sec. London Miss. Soc. Mr. Judson sailed in the ship Packet for London, in Jan- uary, 1811, but on their voyage the vessel was captured by L' Invincible Napoleon, and Mr. Judson, with other prisoners, taken to France. He was detained for several weeks, but, crossing the channel, finally reached Dartmouth, in May, in safety. He immediately proceeded to London, presented hi* REV. ADONIRAM JUDSON, D.D. 23 letters, and was received with every mark of kind esteem by the directors of the London Missionary Society. The result of his" errand was briefly this : The London Society gave no encouragment upon the sabjecl of joining with an American Board for Foreign Missions, but were willing to receive the young candidates for missionary service into their own number. A society for the support of Foreign Missions being subse- quently formed in America, Messrs. A. Judson, Jr., S. Nott, Jr., S. Newell, and G. Hall were appointed missionaries, under the direction of the Board, to labor in Asia. During the year 1810, while on a visit to Bradford, Mr. Judson became acquainted with Miss Ann Hasseltine, who, on the 5th of February, 1812, became his wife. At this point this sketch concludes, as the remainder of Mr Judson's useful career is best told in the lives of Ann, Sarah, and Emily, his helpmates and co-operators in hi great la 1 v of love amongst the heathen. LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON, FIRST WIFE OF REV. ADONIRAM JUDSON, D.D. CHAPTER I. BIRTH, PARENTAGE, EDUCATION, AND CONVERSION ANN HASSELTINE, better known as Mrs. Ann H. Jud son, was born at Bradford, Massachusetts, Dec. 22d, 1789. She was the daughter of John and Rebecca Has- seltine. Of her early life but little can be gathered from the sources before me, until she entered the Academy at Bradford, where she was the companion and friend of the martyr missionary, Harriet Newell, then Harriet Atwood, one who shared with Mrs. Judson the glory of being the first female missionary, who left America to carry into heathen darkness the great truths of Chris tianity. Ann Hasseltine gave promise very early of superior intellectual powers, and although the published works 25 2o LIFE OF ANX HASSELTIXE JUDSON. froir, fcer pen were written under -the most unfavorable eircu-istances, in suffering, sickness, and heavy grief, they i resent unmistakable evidences of a vigorous intel- lect, rry direction, uniting with each other, and forming a perfect network of navigable waters, which covers the whole peninsula from the base of the Arracan Mountains to the banks of the Salwen River. These various streams, or natural canals, at kist enter the Bay of Bengal by LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUbSON. 47 fourteen separate channels. Most of them are, however, rendered useless for foreign commerce by sand bars, which obstruct navigation. " From the sea coast to nearly the latitude of Prome, the country is a level, alluvial plain, intersected, as I have remarked, by innumerable watercourses. The soil is exceedingly productive, and is specially adapted to the cultivation of rice, the universal diet of the inhabitants of India. This is, therefore, the granary of the empire. Ascending the river, as you leave Prome, the face of the country changes. High ranges of mountains appear on the right hand and on the left, and the intermediate re- gion becomes undulating and hilly. The mountains approach nearer and nearer to the river, until the banks become steep and precipitous. Above the latitude of Ava, the whole region is intersected by mountain ranges run- ning north and south, and penetrating Asam on the west and the province of Yunan on the east. " The portions of Burmah ceded to the British at the close of the last war, were the kingdom of Arracan and the Tenasserim provinces.* The former is generally hilly, with extensive alluvial flats near the sea, and along the numerous streams, fertile, and adapted to the culti- vation of rice. Akyab, the principal port, has a, secure and convenient harbor. Of the Tenasserim provinces, * Since this paragraph was written, the Burman empire has been again dismembered, and the British have annexed to the possessions of the Hon. East India Company the kingdom of Pegu, which formed the whole lower portion of the country. The Burmans thus have lost the whole of their territory lying on the Bay of Bengal, their southern limit being to the north of Prome, 48 LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. the principal rivers arc the various branches of the Sal- wen, the Ataran, the Tavoy, and the Mergui rivera, Most of these streams are, for a short distance, naviga- ble for vessels of considerable burden, and must, in time, become the homes of extensive commerce. " Respecting the population of Bnrmah, the difference of the estimates is quite remarkable. Colonel Symes, who visited the empire in the year 1795, supposed th number of inhabitants to be about seventeen millions. When the Baptist mission was first established in Ran- goon, this computation was supposed to be correct, and it was frequently said that the population of Burmah equaled that of the United States. Later travelers have reduced k to eight millions. Crawford, after aa careful a computation as he was able to form, does not believe that it exceeds four millions. Dr. Malcoin be- lieves that there may be three million Burmans, three million Shyans, and probably two millions of other tribes, subject to the Burman dominion. When estimates of this kind are made, the lowest is, I think, most likely to be correct. Travelers, in such a country as this, must, of necessity, pursue the most frequented routes, and follow the most navigable watercourses. These, being always the most thickly-peopled porti'ons of a country, would naturally convey an exaggerated idea of its population. I am of the opinion that more accurate investigation than is now possible will show that the population of the empire and its present dependencies does not exceed six or eight millions.* * Tie population has since been greatly reduced by the low of the kingdom. LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINB JUDSON. 49 *' A large portion of the soil of Burmah is fertile, and tinder a good government would be remarkably produc- tive. The lower provinces, from the sea to the latitude of Prome, produce, as I have said, rice in great abun- dance. In the more elevated districts, cotton of a good quality, of a soft and silky texture, but of short staple, is everywhere cultivated. The teak tree, the best ship timber in the world, grows on the mountains. Maize, wheat, millet, and various kinds of pulses, with the usual variety of edible roots, and a multitude of tropical fruits, are produced with very little labor. The domestic animals are such as are common in India the buffalo, braminy cattle, the horse and the goat; and in the forests are found the elephant, the rhinoceros, the tiger, and several varieties of the deer. " The mineral wealth of Burmah is probably great. It possesses mines of iron, tin, silver, and gold, and pro- duces sapphires, emeralds, and rubies, with amber in large quantities. Sulphur, arsenic, and antimony are found in abundance, and coal, both anthracite and bitu- minous, exists in various places, but has not yet been brought into use. On the banks of the Irawadi, a short distance above Prome, petroleum is obtained in large quantities. The annual yield of the wells here is said by Dr. Malcom to be about eighty millions of pounds. Marble is found in various places, and some of the quarries yield a product which is said, for statuary pur- poses, to equal that from Carrara. "The commerce of the empire is but limited." The Burmtins are intelligent and industrious, and under a good government would probably soon excel in manufac- 4 50 LIFE OP ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. turcs. Under the protection of English employers, the} at one time became excellent ship builders at Rangoon. But manufactures require fixed capital, and when the possession of capital invites oppression and spoliation, they cannot exist. Hence the exports of Burinah are limited almost exclusively to the raw materials produced by their unskilful labor. The most important of them are teak wood, raw cotton, both white and yellow, precious stones, and lackered ware. Teak wood is sent to Cal- cutta, and is mostly used in the naval service of Great Britain. Cotton and precious stones, lackered ware, and edible birds' nests are sent to China. The English send, in return, cotton fabrics, hardware, cutlery, and old muskets. The Chinese bring principally raw silk, which is made into coarse goods by the Burmans, and the vel- vets which are worn on state occasions by the grandees of the empire. Rice, salt, and salt fish are carried from the southern provinces and the sea coast to the upper country, and exchanged for lackered ware, raw cotton, precious stones, metals, and petroleum. "The government of Burmah is an unmitigated despot- ism of the sternest character. The king is the acknow- ledged possessor of the soil, and the people are his slaves. He is lord of the life and property of all his subjects. No rank or office protects a citizen from the liability of being ordered to immediate execution, if such be the will of the monarch. Several of the commanders who were defeated in the last war with the British were beheaded within a few hours of their arrival at the capitol. When a man is put to death by the order of the king, his property reverts to the crown. Hencj the possession LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. 61 of large wealth becomes a somewhat unenviable dis- tinction. " The government of the empire is administered by ,*t council of state, appointed by the king. This council is called collectively lut-d'hau, from the name of the hall in which its business is transacted. The counselors are four in number, unless, as it sometimes happens, on a special emergency, another member is added. These officers are called woon-gyees. All public matters are discussed in this council, and the decision is by the majority of voices. Every royal edict is by usage sanc- tioned by this council, and, in fact, appears in their name, rather than in that of the king. Their functions are legislative, judicial, and executive. "Each woon-gyee has a deputy, who is called a woon- douk. The woon-douks, although they sit in council, neither deliberate nor vote. Whatever business they transact is in the name of their superiors. " The woon-douks have also their assistants, who are called sara-dau-gyee. They are from eight to ten in number. These are, in fact, the secretaries of the lut- d'hau, and their business is to record its proceedings Their name signifies 'great royal scribes.' "A second council forms another branch of the gov- ernment. This, like the other, consists of four members Their title is atwen-woon, meaning ' inside' ministers of state.* These officers constitute the private advisers oi the king. Whatever emanates directly from him is first discussed in this privy council, before it is transmitted to the lut-d'hau. It deliberates and votes like the * Inside ministc rs, or privy counselors. 62 LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. superior council, and its members exercise also judicial functions. It is a matter of dispute at the court of Avsi whether the rank of atwen-woon or of woon-douk be the higher. "Attached to the privy council are secretaries, com- monly thirty in number. These are called than-dau- eens. They hold the same relation to the atwen-woona that the woon-douks hold to the woon-gyees. Their business is to record the proceedings of the council, to take minutes of the king's commands, and to read and report upon petitions. v Attached to both of these coun- cils are four or five officers, called nakandau, meaning 'deputies of the royal star.' Their business is, nomi- nally, to convey messages between* the two councils, but, really, to report to the king what is done in the lut- d'hau. " Such is the theory of the government. In practice, however, a council which may be degraded or executed at the word of the monarch must be useless as advisers. In the former war with Great Britain, they frequently did not dare to make known the facts to the king, or even oifer their opinions upon the state of affairs. They are really the passive instruments for carrying into effect the will of the monarch. They are willing to live in constant apprehension of disgrace and death, for the privilege of subjecting all below them to the same condi- tion. Political life seems too much the same in all coun- tries. "The rank of every officer of government is determined by the tsalway, or golden chain, which passes over the left shoulder, and crosses the breast. In front it is di- LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JTIDSON. o3 vided into several strands of chain work. Three com- mon strands indicate the lowest grade of office ; three of more elaborate workmanship the next above ; ther come those of six, nine, and twelve, which last number indicates the highest rank attainable by a subject. Princes of the blood most nearly related to the king wear eighteen. The monarch himself alone wears twenty- four. " The civil administration is organized as follows . The kingdom is divided into provinces, provinces into town- ships, townships into districts, and districts into villages or hamlets. " The governor of a province is called myo-woon, and is vested with the entire charge of the province, civil, judicial, military, an'd fiscal. Under him are collectors of customs, deputies, &c., who form his council, without whose assent no order of importance can be executed. The myo-woon has power of life and death. " The governor of a township is called myo-thoo-gyee. The governor, or head man, of a district or village ia called thoo-gyee. These are all respectively subordinate to each other. "No public functionary receives any fixed salary. The principal officers of state are rewarded by assign- ments of certain districts, from the inhabitants of which they exact as much as they are able. Inferior officers are paid by fees, emoluments, perquisites, together with all that can be collected by extortion and bribery. Each of these officers exercises judicial functions within hi/ own district, an appeal, however, lying to the nexx higher in office. Bribery is universal; and it rarely >4 LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. happens that a criminal is punished, if he is able to sat isfy the rapacity of the officer before whom he is ar- raigned. The judges take bribes from both sides, and the decree, except in very palpable cases, will be in favor of him who pays the highest. " The various provinces of the kingdom are apportioned out to favorites of the court, or are made responsible for the support of some branch of the government. The individual to whom this cession is made becomes then the governor of that province, or, as the Burmans appropriately term him, its 'eater,' or consumer. By means of his subordinate agents, he taxes every family as much as it is supposed to be able to pay. Every sub- ordinate officer takes his share of this tax, and the gov- ernor at last divides with the king the portion which he receives. The poor peasant is thus obliged to satisfy a succession of harpies, while but a small portion of what he pays ever reaches the public treasury. Besides these contributions paid to the lord of the land, the cultivators are from time to time, and according to the public exi- gency, called upon for contributions to the state. The amount of these is fixed by the lut-d'hau, or chief coun- cil. These contributions, being levied through the lords, or local officers, are made a pretext for additional exac-. tions on their own account, often greater than those taken for the government. The Burman officers arc thus turned loose upon the country, to prey upon it like a swarm of locusts. The contributions paid into the public treasury are little better than a hoard to gratify the desires of the reigning prince ; and the amount ex- LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON, 56 acted from the people for this purpose depends entirely upon his personal character. His subordinate officers, from the highest to the lowest, following the example of their chief; and every energy of the people is crushed under a savage, selfish, and relentless despotism. " The religion of Burmah is Buddhism. To present an extended view of this form of religion, which numbers among its believers a larger portion of the inhabitants of the earth than any other, would be foreign to the de- sign of a memoir like the present. I can do nothing more than offer a brief statement of the Burman reli gious system, compiled from such sources as have been within my reach. I was happy to find, after a pretty extensive research, that Dr. Judson had furnished Mr. Crawford with an article on this subject, which is in- serted in the fourth chapter of the second volume of his 'Embassy,' as I consider this of the highest authority, I transcribe it entire: " ' A life period, called A-yen-kat, is a revolution of ame, during which the life of man gradually advances from ten years to an A-then-kye, and returns again to ten. Sixty-four life periods make one intermediate pe- riod, (An-ta-ra-kat ;) sixty-four intermediate periods make one quarterly period, which may be so termed be- cause four such periods make" one grand period (Ma-ha- kat,) a complete revolution of nature. The revolutions of nature, as marked by the various periods, are eternal or infinite. Some grand periods are distinguished by the development of an extraordinary being called a Budd'ha, who, though born of earthly parents, attains 56 LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. to the summit of omniscience.* The present grand pe- riod has been favored by four of these personages, whose names are Kan-kri-than, Gau-na-gong, Ka-tha-pa, and Gau-ta-ma. The fifth Budd'ha, or A-ri-mi-te-ya, is now reposing, according to the best authorities, in one of the lower celestial regions, and will develop himself in due time. u ' The communications of all Budd'has previously to Gau-ta-ma are now lost. His communications, made at first to his immediate disciples, and by them retained in memory during five centuries more, after his decease agreed upon in several successive general councils, (Then-ga-ya-na,) and finally reduced to writing on palm leaves, in the Island of Ceylon, in the ninety-fourth year before Christ, and the four hundred and fiftieth after Gau-ta-ma, form the present Buddhist scriptures, the only rule of faith and practice. They are comprised in three grand divisions, (Pe-ta-kat,) which are again sub- divided into fifteen, and those into six hundred. " ' According to the Buddhist scriptures, the universe is composed of an infinite number of worlds, or Sakya systems. A Sakya system consists of one central Myen-mo, or mount, the surrounding seas and islands, the celestial regions, including the revolving luminaries and the infernal regions. The earth on which we live is the southernmost of the four grand islands which sur- round the mount, each of which is again surrounded by four hundred of smaller size. " ' The celestial regions consist of six inferior and * "Omniscience" is, according to Buddhists, the principal attribute of Gautama. LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINB JUDSON. A7 twenty superior heavens. Of the six inferior heavens, the first occupies the middle, and the second the summit of the Myen-mo mount. The remaining arise above each other in regular gradaticn. The same remark ap- plies to the superior heavens, which are again distin- guished into sixteen visible and four invisible. The in- ferior regions consist of eight hills, one above another, each being surrounded by sixteen smaller hills. " * The universe is replete with an infinity of souls, which have been transmigrating in different bodies from all eternity ; ascent or descent in the scale of existence being at every change of state ascertained by the im- mutable "mysterious laws of fate," according to the merit or demerit of the individual. No being is exempt fro'm sickness, old age, and death. Instability, pain, and change are the three grand characteristics of all ex- istence. " * The Burmans say : " However highly exalted in the celestial regions, and whatever number of ages of happiness may roll on, the fatal symptom of a moisture under the armpits will at length display itself." The mortal being, when this presents itself, must be prepared to exchange the blandishments and dalliance of celestial beauties for the gridirons, pitchforks, mallets, and other instruments of torture of the infernal regions. The chief end of man, according to the Burmese, is to termi- nate the fatiguing course of transmigratory existence. This attainment Lord Gautama made in the eightieth year of his life, and all his immediate disciples have par- ticipated in the same happy fate. What remains to the present race of beings is to aim at passing their time in 68 LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. the regions of men and gods, until they shall come in contact with the next Budd'ha, the Lord Arimiteya, \vhom they may hope to accompany to the golden world of nigban, or annihilation. In order to this, it is neces- sary to keep the commands of the last Budd'ha, to wor- ship the Budd'ha, his law, and his priests ; to refrain from taking life ; from stealing ; from adultery ; from falsehood, and from drinking intoxicating liquors ; to regard the images and temples of the Budd'ha the same as himself; to perform acts of worship, and listen to the instructions of religion on the days of the new moon, the full moon, and the quarters ; to make offerings for the support of the priests ; to assist at funerals, and, in general, to perform all charitable and religious duties. " In the year 930 after Gautama, A.D. 386, Budd'ha- gautha transcribed the Buddhist scriptures, with an iron pen of celestial workmanship, and brought them by sea to Pugan, the seat of supreme government. The time and manner in which the religion of Gautama was intro- duced into the country are not sufficiently ascertained. It subsequently underwent some modification, and was finally established in its present form by King Anan-ra- tha-men-sau, who began to reign in Pugan in the 1541st year after Gautama, the 359th of the present vulgar era, and A.D. 997.' " To this brief statement, which contains by far the most intelligible account of the system of Buddhism that I have seen, I will add a few items of information, which 1 have been able to glean from a tolerably extensive reading on the subject. " It will be seen that the moral code of Buddhism if LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. 59 simple and pure. Its five precepts are, I. Thou shalt not take life. This precept is universal. The priests, in order to obey it, carry with them a brush, with which they sweep the seat on which they are about to sit down, lest they should inadvertently crush the smallest insect. II. Thou shalt not steal. III. Thou shalt not commit adultery. IV. Thou shalt not lie. V. Thou shalt drink no intoxicating liquors. It is by obedience to these that, at death, we enter by transmigration into a better condi- tion than we occupy at present. " The Buddhist priesthood is confined to no class, and indeed the doctrines of Gaudama allow of no hereditary caste ; any man who complies with the required precepts may be admitted to the sacred order. He, however, is not obliged to remain in it for life, but may quit it at his pleasure, and, I think, without reproach. The priests are bound by the vows of celibacy and poverty. They are forbidden to hold property, and are supported by vol- untary contributions of the people. They go out daily in the streets with their rice pots, and every one gives them what he pleases. They are forbidden, however, to take money, and they never ask for anything. Travel- ers assure us that they are never seen to turn their heads, or even look upon the offering made to them. It were well if the ecclesiastics of many other countries derived instruction from their example. " The labors of the priests seem unlike those of any other religion. They seldom preach, nor do they gene- rally seem to perform any specially religious service for the people. They are merely men sacredly devoted to pious observances and holy austerities. They reside alto- 60 LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. gether iu monasteries which have been erected for them, and in some cases endowed by monarchs or governors an appropriation of property held to be specially mcrito* rious. They are forbidden to have any connection with the civil power, and they seem to have but very little. Their principal employment is that of instructing the voung, to which they commonly devote themselves. The monasteries are, therefore, in general, the school- nouses of Burmah, and the priests are her schoolmasters. What they teach is very little ; but it suffices to enable a large portion of the male population to read. In this respect the Buddhist priesthood compares very favor- ably with that of other false or perverted systems of re- ligion. " The Buddhists have been commonly denominated atheists. Whatever may be the views which have sub- sequently obtained among the people at large, I doubt whether the system of Gaudama is chargeable with this error. Men are believed to exist after death, inhabiting other bodies ; und the change which then takes place is determined by their conduct in the state which they oc- cupy at the present. They may be changed from men into gnats, and from gnats in an inferior to those of a superior grade ; thus gradually rising until they arrive at nigban. Or, on. the other hand, they may be changed from men into animals, and, in successive transformation from animals of a higher to those of a lower grade, until they reach hell, or a place of unmixed torment. In cases of atrocious crime, as the murder of a parent, or a priest, they pass through no intermediate transforma- tions, but at once enter the place of torment. The doc- LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. 6] trine of future rewards and punishments, as consequences of moral character in this life, is thus distinctly recog- nized. The peculiarity of their belief is, that this life is not considered as the state, but only a state of proba- tion. Probation extends to every state but nigban. Hence every living thing which we see is inhabited for the time being, by a soul similar to our own ; and we and it may, at any time, change places. From this idea is derived the prohibition to slay animals and every- thing that has life. " This system of rewards and punishments is adminis- tered, according to the Buddhist belief, by the various grades of existence superior to men, and inferior to Buddb . An inquiry is instituted by these deities into the charac ter of every individual, and, in obedience to their deci sion, each one either ascends or descends in the scale of being. The government of the uiiverse is, therefore, carried on, not by the supreme divinity, who is, accord- ing to the notions of oriental happiness, exempt from all care, but by inferior beings, who are still themselves striving upwards in order to arrive at nigban. " Such, then, seems to be the system of Buddhism. In its moral precepts, it is remarkable for purity. So far as the relations between man and man are concerned, it is, in many respects, similar to the Mosaic law. The punishments which it denounces against sin are awful beyond conception ; and the rewards of obedience are as great as the authors of the system could imagine. For the least aberration from rectitude the consequence is pain only less than infinite. It, however, in no case that I have seen, makes any allusion to repentance. 62 LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. After one sin, the being is forever helplessly under con- demnation, unless he can attain to annihilation. It pre- sents no way of escape for the sinner by means of an atone- ment. It is a pure system of law, with its rewards and punishments, without relenting, without pardon, and with- out hope for the guilty. " It remains to consider what has been the practical effect of this system upon the mind of man. It is a sys- tem, it will be remembered, devised to govern the moral conduct of a race of sinners. Hence the impossibility of avoiding its penalties is at once evident. Do what we will, conscience must convict us of grievous moral imper- fection, involving the necessity of ages of suffering, with- out the certainty of any eventual escape. Under sucb a system, the mind sinks down in utter helplessness. When there is no escape from punishment, the difference between ten millions and twenty millions of transmigra- tions is not capable of being appreciated. Virtue and vice, in our imperfect state, are, therefore, hardly capa- ble of being distinguished from each other in their results. Thus the system which seems to have exhausted the hu- man faculties in conceiving of terrors which should deter us from sin, is found practically to have created against it no barrier whatever. " The result was such as might have been expected. While the law of Gaudama forbids us to take the life of any animated being, the Burmans are bloodthirsty, cruel, and vindictive, beyond most of the nations of India. Murders are of very common occurrence, and the pun- ishment by death is inflicted with every aggravation of eruelty. While licentiousness is absolutely forbidden, LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. C3 they are said to be universally profligate. While the law denounces covetousness, they are almost to a man dishonest, rapacious, prone to robbery, and to ro'bbery ending in blood. The law forbids, on all occasions, treachery and deceit, and yet, from the highest to the lowest, they are a nation of liars. When detected ii? the grossest falsehood, they indicate no consciousness of shame, and even pride themselves upon successful de- ceit. " Respecting the practical effect of this system, Mr. TJpham observes : ' The scheme is sustained by a system of morals of the most exemplary kind, such as may cause a blush of shame in many a Christian who feels his higher privileges, while he considers the inferiority of his practice ; but this system is absolutely powerless to enforce or fasten its dictates upon the conscience, or to renovate the heart.'* Mr. Upham sustains his view of the practical result of Buddhism by the following quo- tation from Mr. Judson, whom he describes as one who has had the best opportunity to examine it, and whose coloring he declares to be strong, but faithful : ' Let those who plead the native innocence and purity of hea- then nations visit Burmah. The system of religion here has no power over the heart, or restraint on the passions. Though it forbids, on pain of many years' suffering in hell, theft and falsehood, yet, 1 presume to say, there is not a single Burrnan in the country, who, if he had a good opportunity, without danger of detection, would hesitate to do either. Though the religion inculcates bencvol snce, tenderness, forgiveness of injuries, and love * Upham's History of Buddhism, p. 102. 64 LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. of enemies though it forbids sensuality, love of plea- sure, and attachment to worldly objects yet it is desti tute of power to produce the former, or to subdue the latter, in its votaries. In short, the Burman system of religion is like an alabaster image, perfect and beautiful in all its parts, but destitute of life. Besides being des- titute of life, it provides no atonement for sin. Here also the gospel triumphs over this and every other reli- gion in the world.' " If, now, we revert to what we have stated above, we shall perceive that the Burman empire is large in extent, and that its soil is of unusually great and varied pro- ductiveness. It possesses a regular government, by which the decisions of the court are carried with effect to the remotest hamlet, through a succession of officers pro- ceeding in regular gradation from the emperor to the magistrate of the smallest district. Its people are active, athletic, and as industrious as could be expected under a tyrannical and oppressive government. A large por- tion of the people is able to read. It possesses a well- defined system of religion, and a regularly-organized priesthood. But the whole people are destitute of any semblance either of piety to God or benevolence to man. They have no hope, and are living without God in the world. They have acknowledged that St. Paul's descrip- tion of the heathen, in the first of Romans, delineates accurately the national character. Such is the nation which Mr. Judson went forth to convert to the religion of Jesus Christ." LITE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSOS. 66 CHAPTER IV. LEARNING THE LANGUAGE VISIT TO THE VICEROY'S WIFE- MRS. JUDSON'S ILLNESS VOYAGE TO MADRAS RETURN TO RANGOON BIRTH AND DEATH OF A SON MR. JUDSON'S ILLNESS ARRIVAL OF MR. AND MRS. HOUGH AT RANGOON MR. JUDSON LEAVES RANGOON TROUBLE MR. AND MRS. HOUGH LEAVE RANGOON MRS. JUDSON'S FORTITUDE RETURN OF MR. JUDSON. IMMEDIATELY upon their arrival at Rangoon, Mr. and Mrs. Judson commenced the study of the language. They engaged a teacher, a man of intelligence and ability; but as there were no books, and neither party understood the other, their progress at first was very slow and discouraging. They were animated however by the hope of being able to communicate the glad tidings of Christianity to a benighted country, and studied diligently in order to acquire the uncouth dialect of the Burman natives. Mrs. Judson, in a letter to a friend, says: "As it respects ourselves, we are busily employed all day long. I can assure you that we find much pleasure in our employment. Could you look into a large open room, which we call a verandah, you would see Mr. Judson bent over his table, covered with Burman books, with his teacher at his side, a venerable looking man in 5 U6 LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSOV. his sixtieth year, with a cloth wrapped round his middle, and a handkerchief round his head. They talk and chatter all day long, with hardly any cessation. "My mornings are busily employed in giving direc- tions to the servants providing food for the family, &c. At ten my teacher comes, when, were you present, you might see me in an inner room, at one side of my study table, and my teacher the other, reading Burman, writing, talking, &c. I have many more interruptions than Mr. Judson, as I have the entire management of the family. This I took upon myself, for the sake of Mr. Judson's attending more closely to the study of the language; yet I have found by a year's experience, that it was the most direct way I could have taken to acquire the language; as I am frequently obliged to speak Burman all day. I can talk and understand others better than Mr. Judson, though he knows more about the nature and construction of the language. "A new Viceroy has lately arrived, who is much be- loved and respected by the people. He visited us soon after his arrival, and told us that we must come to the government house very often. We have been once or twice since, and were treated with much more familiarity and respect than are natives of the country. "We often converse with our teachers and servants on the subject of our coming to this country, and tell them if they die in their present state they will surely be lost But they say, 'Our religion is good for us, yours for you.' But we are far from being discouraged. We are sensible that the hearts of the heathen, as well as those LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. 67 of Christians, are in the hands of Ood, and in his own time he will turn them unto him." In order that the reader may see how life passed with the missionaries, I here subjoin an extract from Mrs. Judson's history of the Burman mission: "Dec, 11, 1813. 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 sometime. 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, dressed richly 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. She excused herself for not coming in sooner, say- ing she was unwell. One of the women brought her a bunch of flowers, of which she took several and ormi- mented my cap. She was very inquisitive as to 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 Bur- mans, 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 63 LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. dread. He spoke to me, however, very condescendingly, aiid asked if I would drink some rum or wine. When I arose to go, her Highness again took my hand, told me she was happy to see me, 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 get 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." A letter from Mrs. Judson to Mr. Newell, written at about the same date, says: "As it respects our temporal privations, use has made them familiar and easy to be borne; they are of short duration, and when brought in competition with the worth of immortal souls, sink into nothing. We have no society, no dear Christian friends, and with the excep- tion of two or three sea captains, who now and then call on us, we never see a European face. When we feel a disposition to sigh for the enjoyments of our native country, we turn our eyes on the miserable objects around. We behold some of them laboring hard for a scanty subsistence, oppressed by an avaricious govern- ment, which is ever ready to seize what industry has hardly earned. We behold others sick and diseased, daily begging their few grains of rice, which, when ob- tained, are scarcely sufficient to protract their wretched existence, and with no other habitation to cover them from the burning sun or chilly rains, than that which a small piece of cloth raised on four bamboos, under the shade of a tree, can afford. While we behold these scenes, LIFE OF ANN HASSELTTNE JUDSOX. 69 vre feel that we have all the comforts, and in comparison, even the luxuries of life. We feel that our temporal ?up of blessings is full and runneth over. But is our tem- poral lot so much superior to theirs? how infinitely superior are our spiritual blessings ! While they vainly imagine to purchase promotion in another state of exis- tence, by strictly worshiping their idols, and building pagodas, our hopes of future happiness are fixed on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world. When we have a realizing sense of these things, my dear brother, we forget our native country and former enjoy- ments, feel contented and happy with our lot, with but one wish remaining that of being instrumental in lead- ing these Burmaris to partake of the same source of hap- piness with ourselves. "Our progress in the language is slow, as it is pecu- liarly hard of acquisition. We can, however, read, write, and converse with tolerable ease; aud frequently spend whole evenings very pleasantly in conversing with our Barman friends. We have been very fortunate in pro- curing good instructors. Mr. Judson's teacher is a very learned man, was formerly a priest and resided at court. He has a thorough knowledge of the 'grammatical con- struction of the language ; likewise of the Pali, the learned language of the Burmans." Mrs. Judson's health, never very strong, became sc much broken after one year's residence in Rangoon that medical aid was absolutely indispensable. As there was no possibility of procuring it where she was, she em- barked for Madras in January, 1815, to return, restored to health in April. This journey she took alone, as it 70 LIFE OF ANN HASSELTIEE JUDSOX. was not deemed expedient for Mr. Judson to lose any time whilst engaged in the arduous task of studying the language. After Mrs. Judson's return her health continued to improve, and, in September she became a mother. She had no assistant, no comforter at this trying time, ex- cepting her husband, of whose affectionate care she speaks most touchingly in her letters of this date. Upon her recovery she again commenced the study of the language, but the most severe trial which had yet befallen them was in store. When only eight months old, their little boy, their comfort and solace in their lonely situation, was taken to the other world. Mrs. Judson's letters evince, in a remarkable degree, the high religious tone, and unquestioning faith of her religious feelings. With a heart torn with anguish, the tenderest tie of a woman's heart severed, she never murmured. Resigned to the will of Providence, she said with a sincere heart, " Thy will be done," praying that out of the severe affliction her heart should come purified and strengthened. Close attention to study impaired Mr. Judson's health BO much at this period, that for some months he was forced to desist from his labors, and take active exercise. Unwilling even then, to be idle, he employed his time in making a Grammar of the language of Burmah, for the use of future missionaries. A writer in the Calcutta Review speaks of this work as one of the most marvel- ous indications of Dr. Judson's powerful intellect, com- prising, as it did, in seventy-six pages, a complete gram- mar of one of the most difficult languages in the world. In October, 1816, the missionaries were gladdened by LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. 71 an addition to their company. Mr. Hough and his wife arrived from America, bringing with them from the Se- rsmpore brethren, a present of a printing press, types, and other printing apparatus. An extract from a letter written about this date, by Mr. Judson, will show that their progress so far was siow :' "If any ask what success I meet with among the na- tives, tell them to look at Otaheite, where the Mission- aries labored nearly twenty years, and not meeting with the slightest success, began to be neglected by all the Christian world, and the very name of Otaheite was considered a shame to the cause of missions : but now the blessing begins to descend. Tell them to look at Bengal also, where Dr. Thomas had been laboring seven- teen years, that is, from 1783 to 1800, before the first c<- avert, Krishno, was baptized. When a few converts are once made, things move on. But it requires a much longer time than I have been here, to make a first im- pression on a heathen people. If they ask again, What prospect of ultimate success is there ? Tell them, as much as that there is an almighty and faithful God, who will perform his promises, and no more. If this does not sat- isfy them, beg them to let me stay and make the attempt, and let you come and give us our bread ; or, if they aie unwilling to risk their bread on such a forlorn hope, as has nothing but the word of God to sustain it, beg of them at least not to prevent others from giving us bread And if we live some twenty or thirty years, they may hear from us again." It was not until 1817, that Mr. Judson was able to 72 LIFE OF ANN HASSKLTINE JUDSCN. write home that any Burman had inquired about tha "new religion." The prospects, however, were most encouraging. Mr. Hough was busily engaged in print- ing, and Mr. Judson, in addition to his grammar, had written two tracts, and commenced his translation of the New Testament. In March, 1817, Mr. Judson wrote as follows : " I have this day been visited by the first inquirer afte: religion, that I have seen in Burmah. For, although in the course of the last two years I have preached the gospel to many, and though some have visited me severai times and conversed on the subject of religion, yet I have never had much reason to believe that their visits origi- nated in a spirit of sincere inquiry. Conversations' on religion have always been of my proposing ; and though I have sometimes been encouraged to hope that truth had made some impression, never, until to-day, have I met with one who was fairly entitled to the epithet of In- quirer. " As I was sitting with my teacher, as usual, a Burman of respectable appearance, and followed by a servant, came up the steps, and sat down by me. I asked him the usual question, where he came from : to which he gave me no explicit reply, and I began to suspect that he had come from the government house, to enforce a trifling request, which in the morning he had declined. He soon, however, undeceived and astonished me by ask- ing, ' How long a time will it take me to learn the reli- gion of Jesus ?' I replied that such a question could not be answered. If God gave light and wisdom, the religion of Jesus was soon learned ; but without God, a man might LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. 73 study all his life long and rnake no proficiency. But how, continued I, came you to know anything of Jesus ? Have you been here before ? ' No.' Have you seen any writings concerning Jesus ? ' I have seen two little books.' Who is Jesus ? ' He is the Son of God, who, pitying creatures, came into this world, and suffered death in their stead.' Who is God? 'He is a Being without beginning or end, who is not subject to old age or death, but always is.' I cannot tell how I felt at this moment. This was the first acknowledgment of an eter- nal God that I had ever heard from the lips of a Burman. I handed him a tract and catechism, both of which he instantly recognized, and read here and there, making occasional remarks to his follower, such as, ' This is the true God this is the right way,' &c. I now tried to tell him some things about God and Christ, and himself, but he did not listen with much attention, and seemed anxious only to get another book. I had already told him two or three times, that I had finished no other book, but that in two or three months, I would give him a larger one, which I was now daily employed in transla- ting. ' But,' replied he, 'have you not a little of that book done, which you will graciously give me now ?' And I, beginning to think that God's time was better than man's, folded and gave him the first two half sheets, which contain the first five chapters of Matthew ; on which he instantly rose, as if his business was all done, and having received an invitation to come again, took leave. Throughout his short stay, he appeared different from any Burman I have met with. He asked no ques- tions about customs and manners, with which the Burmans 74 LIFE OF ANN HAPSKLT1NE JUDSOX. tease us exceedingly. He had no curiosity, and no de- eire for anything, but ' more of this sort of writing.' In fine, his conduct proved that he had something on his mind, and I cannot but hope that I shall have to write about him again. " March 24. We have not yet seen our inquirer ; but to-day we met with one of his acquaintances, who says that he reads our books all the day, and shows them to all who call upon him. We told him to ask his friend to come and see us again." Mrs. Judson, in the meantime, having conquered the difficult language, was occupied, independent of her household cares, in collecting around her the women of the place. She says, writing to a friend : " How interested you would be, could you meet with my little society of females on the Sabbath ! In- terested, I say yes, you would be interested, if it was only from this circumstance that these poor idolaters enjoy the means of grace, and sit under the sound of the gospel. I have generally fifteen or twenty. They aie attentive while I read the Scriptures, and endeavor' to teach them about God. One of them told me the other day, that she could not think of giving up a religion which her parents, grand-parents, &c., &c., had embraced, and accepting a new one, of which they had never heard. I asked her if she wished to go to hell, because her pro- genitors had gone there. She replied, if with all her offerings and good works on her head, (speaking in their idiom,) she must go to hell, then let her go. I told her, if she went to hell after having heard of the Saviour,. her very relations would contribute to torment and up- LIFE OF ANN IIASSELTINE JUDSON. 75 braid her, for her rejection of that Saviour of whom they had never heard, and that even she herself would regret her folly when it was too late. If I do, said she, I will then cry out to you to be my intercessor with your God, who will certainly not refuse you. Another told me that she did believe in Christ, and prayed to him every day. I asked her if she also believed in Gaudama, and prayed to him. She replied, she worshiped them both. I have several times had my hopes and expecta- tions raised by the apparent seriousness of several females, as Mr. Judson has in regard to several men ; but their goodness was like the morning cloud and early dew, which soon passeth away. Four or five children have committed the catechism to memory, and often repeat it to each other." In December, 1817, Mr. Judson's health became so .seriously broken, that he determined to leave Rangoon, to visit Chittagong, intending to be absent about three months. Owing to several untoward circumstances, Mr. Judson was carried far from the scene he proposed visit- ing, to a station three hundred miles from Madras. He traveled by land to Madras, purposing to return imme- diately to Rangoon, but was detained in that city until July. Mr. and Mrs. Hough, and Mrs. Judson remained at Rangoon. For a short time, everything went on well. Mrs. Judson was kindly treated by the wife of the Vice- roy, and visited by the man whom Mr. Judson mentions as the first inquirer. At the expiration of the three months, which Mr. Judson had stated as the term of his absence, Mrs. Judson's firmness was called upon to BUS- ;6 . T Fr OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. tain hcf 1.1 another severe trial. Her own words are ttw best for a description of this period. u Three months of Mr. Judson's absence had nearly expired, and we had begun to look for his return, when a native boat arrived twelve days from Chittagong, bringing the distressing intelligence, that neither Mr. Judson nor the vessel had been heard of at that port. I should not have given so much credit to this report, as to have allowed its harassing my feelings, had it not been corroborated by communications from my friends in Ben- gal, which arrived just at this time. From the circum- stance that the vessel had not reached the port of des- tination, I knew not what conclusion to draw. Hope, at times, suggested the idea that the ship's course might have been altered, that she might yet be safe ; but de- spondency more frequently strove to convince me that all was lost. Thus was I, for four months, in that agonizing state of suspense, which is frequently more oppressive than the most dreaded certainty. " Two or three days after the arrival of the above in- telligence, Mr. Hough received an order, couched in the most menacing language, to appear immediately at the court-house, to give an account of himself. This, so unlike any message we had ever before received from government, spread consternation and alarm among our teachers, domestics, and adherents, some of whom fol- lowed Mr. Hough at a distance, and heard the appalling words from some of the petty officers, that a royal order had arrived, for the banishment of all foreign teachers. As it was late when Mr. Hough arrived at the court- nouse, he was merely ordered to give secui-ity for his ap- LIFE OF ANN HASSELTIXE JUDoON. 77 pcai ance at an early hour on the approaching day, when, to use their own unfeeling language, ' if he did not tell all the truth relative to his situation in the country, they would write with his heart's blood.' " Our embarrassments at this period were greatly in- creased by the circumstance that the Viceroy and family, who had always been our steady friends, had been recently recalled to Ava ; and the present Viceroy, with whom we had but a slight acquaintance, had left his fam- ily at the capital. Mr. Hough was not sufficiently ac- quainted with the language, to allow his appealing in person t& the Viceroy ; and as it is not customary for females to appear at his court, in the absence of the Vice- reine, we had nothing before us but the gloomy prospect of being obliged to submit to all those evils, in the power of petty officers to inflict, when unprotected by higher authority. " The following days, Friday and Saturday, Mr. Hough was detained at the court-house, and under the necessity of answering, through an interpreter, the most trivial questions : such as, what were the names of his parents ? how many suits of clothes he had? &c., all of which were written down in the most formidable manner imaginable. The court would not allow his retiring for any refresh- ment ; and this, together with several other petty griev- ances, convinced us that it was their object to harass and distress us as much as possible, feeling safe in the idea that circumstances were such that we could not appeal to the Viceroy." As the purpose of the officers appeared to be to extort money from the missionaries, the order from government, 78 LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. apon which the summons to Mr. Hough was founded, applying only to Portuguese teachers, Mrs. Judson re- solved to appeal for protection to the Viceroy. A peti- tion was accordingly drawn up, with the assistance of Mrs. Judson 's teacher; arid with this in her hand, the intrepid woman presented herself before the Viceroy. The result was a command from him that Mr. Hough should be suffered to pursue his labors unmolested. The cholera morbus now began to commit fearful ravages amongst the natives, and the distress of the mis- sionaries was increased by rumors of a war between England and Burmah. It was now July, and Mr. Jud- son had not been heard from. Mrs. Judson writes thus to a friend : " Mr. Hough, for sometime past, has been desirous to have Mrs. Hough, myself, and his children, go to Ben- gal. But I have ever felt resolved not to make any movement until 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 con- sequences. 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 w LIFE OF ANN IIASSELTINE JVDSON. W all expect to embark for Bengal in a day or two. Alas ! alas ! how changed our prospects since Mr. Judson left us ! How dark, how intricate the provideuce which now surrounds us ! Yet it becomes us to be still, and know that he is God, who has thus ordered our circumstances. '''July 14. Alone, my dear friends, in this great house, without an individual, excepting my little girl and Burmans, I take my pen to relate the strange vicissitudes through which I have passed within a few days. " On the 5th of this month I embarked with Mr. Hough arid family for Bengal, having previously disposed of what I could not take with me. I had engaged Mr. Judson's teacher to accompany me, that in case of meet- ing him in Bengal, he could go on with his Burman stu- dies. But the, teacher, fearing the difficulties arising from his being a Burman, broke his engagement, and re- fused to go. My disinclination to proceed in the course commenced, had increased to such a degree, that I was on the point of giving up the voyage myself; 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 when on the point of putting out to sea, the captain and officers ascertained she was in a dangerous state, in consequence of having been impro- perly loaded, and that she must be detained for a day or two at the place in which she then lay. I immediately resolved on giving up the voyage and returning to town. Accordingly the captain sent up a boat with me, and en- gaged to forward my baggage the next day. I reached 80 LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. 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 affection- ately urge my return. I know I am surrounded by dan- gers 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." Alone, doubtful of her husband's fate, Mrs. Judson thus resolved to remain at Rangoon. Again her own words are quoted to show how her constancy was re- warded : u How will you rejoice with me, my dear parents, when I tell you that I have this moment heard that Mr. Judson has arrived at the mouth of the river ! This joyful intelligence more than compensates for the months of dejection and distress which his long absence has oc- casioned. Now I feel ashamed of my repinings, my want of confidence in God and resignation to his will. I have foolishly thought, because my trials were pro- tracted, they would never end, or, rather, that they would terminate in some dreadful event, which would destr:y all hope of the final success of the mission. But now I trust our prospects will again brighten, and cause us *o forget this night of affliction, or to remember it as having been the means of preparing us for the re- ception of that greatest of blessings the conversion of some of the Burmans." LIcfi OF AflN HASSELTLNli JUIJSON. bl CHAPTER V. EJECTION OF A ZAYAT CONVERSION AND BAPTISM OF A NATIVE DEATH OF MR. WHEELOCK MESSRS. JUDSON AND COLMAN START TO VISIT AVA. HAVING now been at the mission several years, mas- tered the language, published several tracts, and com- menced the translation of the Scriptures, Mr. Judson resolved to prosecute more actively the cause for which he had left home and country to live in a heathen land. He resolved to erect a small building for a zayat, or place of worship, and to begin to preach the gospel. This was a bold step. Up to this time the retired life of the missionaries, and the feelings of personal friendship en- tertained by the viceroy and his wife for them, had made their lives unmolested and safe. But to preach publicly a new doctrine utterly opposed to the religion of the country, was to instantly attract the notice of govern- ment, and, probably, to draw down its vengeance. For a ]{urman to renounce his religion was a crime punished by death, and it seemed highly improbable that govern- ment would be more tolerant towards strangers than to- wards natives. Still, having resolved to do all one man could do for the conversion of these benighted fellow- 6 82 LIFE OF ANN HA8SELTIXE JUDSON. creatures, Mr. Judson resolved to commence public wor- ship, trusting in God for protection. In April, 1819, the zayat was finished, and public wor- ship in the Burman language commenced. Although Mr. Judson had been in the habit, from the first hour that he could speak the language, of discoursing with the natives, exhorting and conversing with them, he had never before attempted what might be called public wor- ship, or preaching. On the first day there were but fif- teen people present, and they were very disorderly and noisy. Mrs. Judson describes the zayat thus : " The zayat is situated thirty or forty rods from the mission-house, and in dimensions is twenty-seven by eighteen feet. It is raised four feet from the ground, and is divided into three parts. The first division is laid entirely open to the road, without doors, windows, or a partition in the front side, and takes up a third part of the whole building. It is made of bamboo and thatch, and is the place where Mr. Judson sits all the day long, and says to the passers by, * Ho ! every one that thirst- eth,' &c. The next and middle division is a large airy room, with four doors and four windows, opening in op- posite directions ; made entirely of boards, and is white- washed, to distinguish it from the other zayats around 118. " In this room we have public worship in Burman on the Sabbath ; and in the middle of which I am now sit uated at my writing table, while six of the male scholars are at one end, each with his torch and black board, over which he is industriously bending, and emitting tha LIF2 OF ANN HASSELTIXE JUDSOX. 83 curious sounds of the language. The third, and last di- vision, is only an entry way, which opens into the garden, leading to the mission-house. "In this apartment, all the women are seated, with their lights and black boards, much in the same position and employment as the men. The black board, on which all the Burmans learn to read and write, answers the same purpose as our slates. They are about a yard in length, made black with charcoal and the juice of a leaf; and letters are clearly imprinted with a species of white stone, a little similar to our slate pencils. A lesson is written out on this board by an instructor ; and when the scholar is perfect master of it, it is erased, and a new one written. The Burmans are truly systematic in their elementary instructions, and a scholar is not con- sidered qualified to read without spelling, until he has a perfect knowledge of all the various combinations of letters." Mrs. Judson's aid in translating was of infinite value at this period, to her husband. In addition to her la- bors in Burman, she also acquired the Siamese language, in order to be useful to the Siamese living in Rangoon. On the 30th of April, 1819, Moung Nau, the first convert to Christianity, made his first visit to the zayat. His visit was repeated, and it soon became evident that he was seeking, with an humble, sincere desire for truth, to know the new religion. He was a poor man, between thirty and forty years old, showing intelligence and do- cility. On the 9th of May, he made a profession of his belief in Jesus Christ in the zayat in the presence of a number 84 LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. of his countrymen. There now seemed an earnest spirit of inquiry awakened in the natives. Many came for tracts and portions of Scripture, whilst the zayat sel- dom was empty. Mr. Judson with the men, and Mrs. Judson with the women, passed the entire day in ex- horting, teaching, and conversing with the natives. Still, although many were manifestly interested, there was much fear from the government. All the natives agreed in saying that the introduction of a new religion would be obnoxious to the reigning powers, and dan- gerous both to the teachers and the natives embracing it. Many, who were favorably disposed towards Mr. Jud- son, advised him first to convert the Emperor, and then all would be well, for not only did he object to the re ligion of foreigners, but persecuted to death any who deviated from the established religion, amongst his own subjects. On the 6th of June, Mr. Judson received from Moung Nau, a letter which I quote from his journal : "I, Moung Nau, the constant recipient of your excel- lent favor, approach your feet. Whereas my lords three have come to the country of Burmah, not for the purpose of trade, but to preach the religion of Jesus Christ, the Son of the eternal God, I, having heard and understood, am with a joyful mind filled with love. "I believe that the Divine Son, Jesus Christ, suffered death in the place of men, to atone for their sins. Like a heavy laden man, I feel my sins are very many, Tho punishment of my sins I deserve to suffer. Since it is 80, do you, sirs, consider that I, taking refuge in th LIFE OF ANN HASSELTIXE JUDSON. 85 merits of the Lord Jesus Christ, and receiving bapti.ni, in order to become his disciple, shall dwell one vith yourselves, a band of brothers, in the happiness of heaven. It is through the grace of Jesus Christ, that you, sirs, have come by ship from one country and con- tinent to another, and that we have met together. I pray my lords three, that a suitable day may be ap- pointed, and that I may receive the ordinance of bap- tism. " Moreover, as it is only since I have met with you, sirs, that I have known about the eternal God, I venture to pray that you will still unfold to me the religion of God, that my old disposition may be destroyed, and my new disposition improved." This letter being laid before Messrs. Colman and Wheelock, who had joined Mr. Judson in 1818, it wa made the subject of special prayer, and as Moung Nau had given evidence of much faith and seemed truly to believe in Jesus and desire baptism, it was agreed to grant his petition. I again quote from Mr. Judson's journal : "June 27, 1819. Lord's-day. There were several stran- gers present at worship. After the usual course, I called Moung Nau before me, read and commented on an ap- propriate portion of Scripture, asked him several ques- tions concerning his faith, hope, and love, and made the baptismal prayer, having concluded to have all the pre- paratory exercises done in the zayat. We then proceeded to a large pond in the vicinity, the bank of which is graced with an enormous image of Gaudama, and there administered baptism to the first Burman convert. Oh, 66 LIFE OF ANN HASSELTIXE JUDSOX. may it prove the beginning of a series of baptisms in th Burinan empire, which shall continue in uninterrupted succession to the end of time! * l Juty 4. Lord' 8-day. We have had the pleasure of sitting down, for the first time, at the Lord's table, with a converted Burman ; and it was my privilege a privi- lege to which I have been looking forward with desire for many years to administer the Lord's supper in two languages." Mrs. Judson speaks of the event, thus: "Little did I think, when I last wrote, that I should so soon have the joyful intelligence to communicate, that one Burman has embraced the Christian religion, and given good evidence of being a true disciple of the dear Redeemer. This event, this single trophy of victorious grace, has filled our hearts with sensations hardly to be conceived by Christians in Christian countries. This circumstance has convinced us, that God can and does operate on the minds of the most dark and ignorant; and that he makes his own truths, his own words, the instru- ment of operation. It serves, also, to encourage us to hope, that the Lord has other chosen ones in his place. As Mr. Judson has given some account of the first im- pressions of this man, and as I have had him particularly under my instruction since his conversion, I will give you some of his remarks in his own words, with which you will be much interested. ' In our religion, there is no way to escape the punishment due to sin ; but accord- ing to the religion of Christ, he himself has died in order to deliver his disciples. I wish all the Burmans would become his disciples ; then we should meet together aa LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. 8? you do in your country ; then we should all be happy together in heaven. How great are my thanks to Jesus Christ for sending teachers to this country ! and how great are my thanks to the teachers for coming ! Had they never come and built that zayat, 1 should never have heard of Christ and the true God. I mourn that so much of my life passed away before I heard of this religion. How much I have lost !' It is peculiarly in- teresting to see with what eagerness he drinks in the truths from the Scriptures. A few days ago, I was reading with him Christ's sermon on the mount. He was deeply impressed, and unusually solemn. ' These words,' said he, ' take hold on my very heart ; they make me tremble. Here God commands us to do everything that is good in secret, not to be seen of men. How unlike our religion is this ? When Burrnans make offerings tc 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.' When I read this passage, Lay not up for yourselves treasures, $c., he said, * What words are these ! It does not mean that we shall take the silver and gold from this world, and carry them to heaven ; but that by becoming the disciples of Jesus, we shall live in such a manner as to enjoy heaven when we die.' We have taken him into our employ for the present, as a copyist, though our primary object was to have him near us, that we might have a better opportu- nity to know more of him before he received baptism, and of imparting to him more instruction than occasional visits could afford Mornings and evenings he spends in 88 LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. reading the Scriptures, and when we all meet in the hall for family worship, he comes and sits with us ; though he cannot understand, he says he can think of God in his fteart. " Juwi 4tth. I have just had a very interesting meet- ing with the women, fifteen in number. They appeared unusually solemn, and I could not help hoping that the Holy Spirit was hovering over us, and would ere long descend and enlighten their precious, immortal souls. Their minds seem to be already prepared to embrace the truth, as their prejudices in favor of the Burman reli- gion are apparently destroyed. Tliey also appear to be convinced that the atonement foi sin provided in the gos- pel is suitable for persons in their situation. But they fre- quently say the great difficulty in the way of their be- coming Christians is, the sinfulness of their hearts, which they cannot yet overcome. Oh for the influences of that Spirit, which can alone effect the mighty change !" Death now visited the little band of missionaries, sum- moning to his eternal home, Mr. Wheelock. He left Rangoon for Bengal, in August, but in so low a state of health, that it seemed hopeless to think of his arrival there. On the passage, in the delirium of fever, he threw himself overboard, and was drowned. Slowly, but surely, the saving doctrines of Christian- ity were spreading amongst the Burmans at Rangoon. Day after day, public worship was held at the zayat, and many stopped to converse with the teachers. It is im- possible, in the limits of this work, to record the individ- ual cases of conversion. There was no startling rapidity in the movements of the missionaries. With the fear LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. 89 of incurring the displeasure of government constantly before them, the natives approached the teachers fearfully and cautiously, and combated the inroads of divine grace, with all the superstitious fervor of a nation strong in their religious faith, and conceited in their belief of the saving power of external works. Moung Shwa-gnong, a teacher, a man of intelligence and learning, after showing a keen interest in the inves- tigation of the merits of the new religion, was summoned before the Viceroy, and, the fear of displeasing the gov- ernment being stronger than his love for the new faith, he, for a time, ceased to inquire further from the teach- ers. The fact of one of their number having been sus- pected, caused the inquirers to tremble for their own safety ; and the little congregation at the zayat, with the exception of a few actual converts, fell off entirely. Seeing how hopeless the task before them had become, Messrs. Judson and Colman resolved to leave Rangoon for a time, to visit Ava, the capital of the empire, and endeavor to obtain the permission of the emperor, to continue their religious instructions. Accordingly, in December, 1819, accompanied by Moung Nau, as a ser- vant, the two missionaries left Rangoon for Ava, leaviug their farailio.s till their return 90 LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. CHAPTER VI. VISIT TO AVA RETURN TO RANGOON FIRST FEMAL1 CONVERT BAPTIZED MRS. JUDSON's ILLNESS MR. AND MRS. JUDSON SAIL FOR BENGAL. AFTER a passage of thirty days up the Irrawadi, the missionaries arrived at Ava. They were kindly re- ceived by their old friend, the Viceroy at Rangoon, when Mr. Judson first established the mission, who had been called to a higher post at the capital, and his place filled by the Viceroy then presiding. They had taken with them, as a present to the Emperor, the Bible, in six volumes, covered in the Burman style, with gold leaf, and each volume enclosed in a rich wrapper. Mr. Jud- Bcn thus describes their visit : " January 26tk, 1820. We repaired to the house of Mya-day-men, former Viceroy of Rangoon, now one of the public ministers of state, (woon-gyee.) We gave him a valuable present, and another of less value to his wife. They both received us very kindly, and appeared to interest themselves in our success. We, however, did not disclose our precise object, but only petitioned leave to behold the golden face. Upon this, his highness com- mitted our business to Moung Yo, one of his favorite LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. 91 officers, and directed him to introduce us to Moung Zah, one of the private ministers of state, (a-twen-wocn,) with the necessary orders. " January 21th. We left the boat, and put ourselves under the conduct of Moung Yo. He carried us first to Mya-day-men, as a matter of form ; and there we learned that the emperor had been privately apprised of our arrival, and said, 'Let them be introduced.' We therefore proceeded to the palace. At the outer gate, we were detained a long time, until the various officers were satisfied that we had a right to enter, after which we deposited a present for the private minister of state, Moung Zah, and were ushered into his apartments in the palace yard. He received us very pleasantly, and or- dered us to sit before several governors and petty kings, who were waiting at his levee. We here, for the first time, disclosed our character and object told him that we were missionaries, or ' propagators of religion ;' that we wished to appear before the emperor, and present our sacred books, accompanied with a petition. He took the petition into his hand, looked over about half of it, and then familiarly asked several questions about our God and our religion, to which we replied. Just at this crisis, some one announced that the golden foot was about to advance ; on which the minister hastily rose up and put on his robes of state, saying that he must seize ihe moment to present us to the emperor. We now found that we had unwittingly fallen on an unpropitious time, it being the day of the celebration of the late victory over the Kathays, and the very hour when his majesty was coming forth to witness the display made on the oc- 92 LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSOX. casion. When the minister was dressed, he just said, * How can you propagate religion in this empire ? But, come along.' Our hearts sank at these inauspicious words. He conducted us through various splendor and parade, until we ascended a flight of stairs, and entered a most magnificent hall. He directed us where to sit, and took his place on one side ; the present was placed on the other ; and Moung Yo and another officer of Mya- day-men sat a little behind. The scene to which we were now introduced, really surpassed our expectation. The spacious extent of the hall, the number and magni- tude 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 farther 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 un- attended, 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 riveted our attention. He strided on. Every head, excepting ours, was now in the dust. We remained kneeling, our hands folded, our LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. 93 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 like the Portuguese priest ? Are you married ? Why do you dress so ?' These and some other similar questions we answered, when he appeared to be pleased with us, and sat down on an ele- vated seat, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, and his eyes intently fixed on us. Moung Zah now began to read the petition ; and it ran thus : " ' The American teachers present themselves to receive the favor of the excellent king, the sovereign of land and sea. Hearing that, on account of the greatness of the royal power, the royal country was in a quiet and prosperous state, we arrived at the town of Rangoon, within the royal dominions, and having obtained leave of the governor of that town to come up and behold the golden face, we have ascended and reached the bottom of the golden feet. In the great country of America, we sustain the character of teachers and explainers of the contents of the sacred Scriptures of our religion. And since it is contained in those Scriptures, that, if we pass to other countries, and preach and propagate religion, great good will result, and both those who teach and those who receive the religion will be freed from fu- ture punishment, and enjoy, without decay or death, the eternal felicity of heaven, that royal permission be given, that we, taking refuge in the royal power, may preach our religion in these dominions, and that those 94 LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINB JUDSON. who are pleased with our preaching, and wish to listen to and be guided by it, whether foreigners or Burmans, may be exempt from government molestation, they pre- sent themselves to receive the favor of the excellent king, the sovereign of land and sea.' "" The emperor heard this petition, and stretched out his hand. Moung Zah crawled forward and presented it. His majesty began at the top, and deliberately read it through. In the mean time, I gave Moung Zah an abridged copy of the tract, in which every offensive sen- tence was corrected, and the whole put into the hand- somest style and dress possible. After the emperor had perused the petition, he handed it back without saying a word, and took the tract. Our hearts now rose to God for a display of his grace. ' Oh, have mercy on Bur- mah ! Have mercy on her king !' But, alas ! the time was not yet come. He held the tract long enough to read the first two sentences, which assert that there is one eternal God, who is independent of the incidents of mortality, and that beside him, there is no God ; and then, with an air of indifference, perhaps disdain, he dashed it down to the ground. Moung Zah stooped for- ward, 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 : ' Why do you ask for such permission ? Have not the Portu- guese, the English, the Mussulmans, and people of all other religions, full liberty to practise and worship ac- LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. 95 cording to their own customs ? 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." 1 Meeting with no encouragement from other officers, each as to make the prospect of a second petition being more successful than the first, Messrs. Colman and Jud- son returned to Rangoon. Three converts had been made in Rangoon, and Mr. Judson called them together upon his return, fearing, almost expecting, that his re- port of the refusal of the emperor to extend protection towards their new religion, would shake their constancy. To his great joy they remained steadfast in their belief. He then spoke of the dark prospect of Rangoon ; the refusal of the natives to hear the truth, manifested in abandonment of the zayat, and announced his resolution to proceed to Chittagong. Upon hearing this resolve, the three converts implored the teachers to stay, begging them to remain till there were a few more converts and one sufficiently advanced to preach to the rest. It was finally decided that Mr. and Mrs. Colman should pro- ceed to Chittagong, while Mr. and Mrs. Judson remained at Rangoon. Mr. Colman, however, proceeded to a new station, Cox Bazar, where, in 1822, he died. Mr. and Mrs. Judson, thus, once more found them- selves alone at Rangoon, but they were cheered and ani- mated by the spirit of enquiry now manifested amongst the natives, and the affectionate zeal of the three con- verts. Mrs. Judson labored as earnestly amongst the 96 LIFE 0? ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. women, as her noble husband did with the male converts, and received visits daily from the wives and sisters of the natives. The translation of the Scriptures still oc cupied much of Mr. Judson's time. In April, 1820, Mrs. Judson had an attack of liver complaint, and went through a course of salivation. In June, Mr. Judson writes : "June 27. Mrs. J., after having been through two courses of salivation for the liver complaint, at length despairs of recovering, without some proper medical as- sistance. For a few days, we have hoped that she would get some relief from the various applications which are made, though at the expense of an almost total exhaus- tion of strength ; but this morning, to our utter disap- pointment, the disorder has returned with increased vio- lence ; and her constitution appears to be rapidly failing. I have intended, for some time past, to send her alone to Bengal ; but she has become too weak, and the pre- sent circumstances of the case are too alarming to allow Buch a measure ; and I have, therefore, concluded to ac- company her." Accordingly preparations for the journey were made, and, on the 19th of July, Mr. and Mrs. Judson sailed for Bengal. On the 18th of July, the first female convert, Mah Men-la, was baptized, making the tenth Burman who had gone through the solemn ceremony. It may be well at this point to sum up the progress made by the missionaries during their stay at Rangoon. They had acquired a perfect knowledge of the language IUK OF ANN HASSELT1NE JUI'SON. 67 a grammar, dictionary, several tracts, and a portion of the Scripture had been prepared, written, translated into Burmese, and printed. Ten converts, notwithstanding the fear of persecution by government, had been baj>- tized in the name of the Lord. 7 JUIFF OF ANN UASSELTINE JUDSOff. CHATTER VII. RETURN TO RANGOON MRS. JUDSON'S RENEWED ILLNESS- VOYAGE TO ENGLAND VISITS IN ENGLAND AND AMERICA RETURN TO INDIA. MRS. JUDSON, after a short sojourn in Calcutta, find- ing her health but little benefited by the climate there, removed to Serampore. She remained here until Jan uary, 1821, when the violence of the disease having abated, she returned with Mr. Judson to Rangoon. They were received with eager demonstrations of joy, by the affectionate converts, and the many visitors who had been in the habit of repairing to the zayat. News of great importance, too, was awaiting them. An ex- tract from Mr. Judson's journal explains the event, and the hopes it inspired : " The most important event (and that relates of course to Moung Shwa-gnong) remains to be mentioned. It will be remembered that he was accused before the former Viceroy, of being a heretic, and that the simple reply, * Inquire further,' spread dismay amongst us all, and was one occasion of our visit to Ava. Soon after Mya- day-mon assumed the government of this province, all the priests and officers of the village where Moung LIFE OF 'ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. 98 Shwa-gnong lives entered into a conspiracy to destroy him. They held daily consultations, and assumed a tone of triumph ; while poor Moung Shwa-gnong's courage began to flag, and, though he does not like to own it, he thought he must flee for his life. At length, one of the conspiracy, a member of the supreme court, went into the presence of the Viceroy, and in order to sound hit disposition, complained that the teacher Moung Shwa- gnong was making every endeavor to turn the priests' rice pot bottom upwards. * What consequence T said the Viceroy. l Let the priests turn it back again.' This sentence was enough ; the hopes of the conspiracy were blasted, and all the disciples felt that they were sure of toleration under Mya-day-men. But his administration will not probably continue many months." A touching instance of the influence of Christianity upon these savage hearts awaited Mrs. Judson. The female convert Mah-Men-la, anxious to aid the great cause, voluntarily proposed to open a school for children in Rangoon, that the little ones need not go to the priests for education, but be early led to worship the true God. Still the little band of converts, although repairing frequently to the zayat for instruction and intercourse with the teachers, were cautious, and it was not gener- ally known that any Burmans had actually embraced th3 new religion. In August, sickness visited again these noble self-sac- rificing missionaries. Mr. Judson writes : " August 4. Am just recovering from the second fit of sickness which I have had this season. The first was 100 LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. the cholera morbus ; the present has been a fever. The second day after I was taken, Mrs. J. was taken with the same ; and for several days we were unable to help cne another. Through divine mercy, however, we con- trived to gc-t our medicines from time to time, and are now in a convalescent state, so far as the fever is con- cerned. Mrs. J., however, is suffering severely under the liver complaint, which, notwithstanding continual salivations, is making such rapid and alarming advances, as to preclude all hope of her recovery in this part of the world." Mrs. Judson grew worse so rapidly that it was evi- dent that a voyage to a colder climate was positively ne- cessary for the preservation of her life. Accordingly on the 21st of August she left Rangoon for Bengal, in- tending to take passage for America, and bearing to Mr Hough the following letter from her husband : MY DEAR BROTHER HOUGH : I send you herewith Mrs. Judson, and all that remains of the blue pills and senna, and beg you will see the articles all well packed and shipped for America by the earliest safe opportu- nity. Whatever expenses may be incurred be so good as to defray from your own funds, and transmit your bill to me. It is said that man is prone to jest in the depth of misery ; and the bon-mots of the scaffold have been col- lected : you may add the above specimen to the list if you like. I feel as if I was on the scaffold, and signing, as it were, my own death warrant. However, two years LIFE OF ANN IIASSELTINE JUDSON. 101 will pass away at last. Time and tide wait for no man, heedless alike of our joys and sorrows. When I last wrote, I was in the latter part of Acts ; since that time, I have done nothing at all. For ten days tr a fortnight we were laid by with fever, unable to help one another, and no living soul to depend on but Emily ; and since we became convalescent, I have been occupied in making up my mind to have my right arm amputated, and my right eye extracted, which the doctors say are necessary in order to prevent a decay and mor- tification of the whole body conjugal. A letter to Dr. Baldwin gives an account of Mrs. Judson's arrival in Calcutta, and the reasons for chang ing her proposed trip to America for one to England : CALCUTTA, Dec. 8, 1821. REV. AND DEAR SlR : I left Rangoon last August, and arrived in Calcutta on the 22d of September. My disorder gained ground so rapidly, that nothing but a voyage to sea, and the benefit of a cold climate, presented the least hope of life. You will readily imagine that nothing but the prospect of a final separation would have induced us to decide on this measure, under circumstances so trying aa those in which we were placed. But duty to God, to ourselves, to the Board of Missions, and to the perishing Burmans, compelled us to adopt this course of proced- ure, though agonizing to all the natural feelings of our hearts. On my arrival in Calcutta, inquiries were im- mediately made relative to a voyage to America. But, 102 LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. to my great disappointment, I found most of the Ameri- can Captains far from being disposed to take passengers, on account of having their cargoes engaged to the ex- tent of the tonnage of their vessels. One captain, how- ever, offered to give me a passage for fifteen hundred rupees, but I could not think of causing the Board so great an expense. In mentioning my circumstances to Mrs. Thompson, (lady of the Rev. Mr. Thompson, chap- lain,) she suggested the advantages of a voyage to Eng- land, on account of the superior accommodations, medi- cal advice, and female passengers, in English ships. The pious captain of a ship bound to England was then residing in her family ; with him she consulted, and they made arrangements for my passage for five hundred ru- pees, provided I went in a cabin with three children, who were going to England. As my only object in going to sea, is restoration of health, I did not hesitate to secure a passage, though I should have rejoiced (since I must take a long voyage) to have gone direct to America. The father of the children has since arrived in Calcutta, and has very kindly offered to pay the whole price of the cabin, (which is four thousand rupees,) which will enable me to go to England, free of expense to the Board. If the pain in my side is entirely removed, while on my passage to Europe, I shall return to India in the same ship, and proceed immediately to Rangoon. But if not, I shall go over to America, and spend one winter in my dear native country. As ardently as I long 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 LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. 103 severe struggle relative to my immediate return to Ran goon, instead of going to England. But I did not ven- ture to go contrary to the convictions of reason, to the opinion of an eminent and skilful physician, and the re- peated injunctions of Mr. Judson. Relative to the Rangoon mission, I presume Mr. Judson has given you all the information. But perhaps I have received letters of a later date, and may be able to communicate something, of which you may not have heard. My last from Rangoon was dated October 26, Moung Shwa-gnong had been accused before the Viceroy, and had 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 sur- prised at seeing him enter. Moung Shwa-gnong in- formed Mr. Judson, that, having been accused, he thought it the wisest way to keep out of sight ; that he had put all his family on board a boat, and was going up the country among the sect of heretics with whom he once associated, and had now come to take leave, obtain tracts, gospels, &c. Mr. Judson furnished him witk 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. Moutg- 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. Jud- BOU has made for them. Another Burma n has been 104 LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSOW. baptized, who gives decided evidence of being a true Christian. Have we not, my dear sir, every reason to trust in God in future, when we see what he has done in Rangoon ? Could you see at once the difficulties in tha way of the conversion of the Burmans, the grace of God would appear ten times as conspicuous as it now does. When we hardly ventured to hope that we should ever see a truly converted Burman, how great is our joy to see a little church rise up in the midst of that wilder- ness, consisting of thirteen converted Burmans. A severe attack of her complaint confined her to her cabin for several days during her passage, but her health was improved upon her arrival in England. She was received by Joseph Butterworth, Esq., M. P., and urged to make his house her home during her residence in Eng- land. Whilst in his family she was visited by many of the persons most noted through England for piety and literary attainments. Amongst them were Wilberforce, Babington, and the king's chaplain, Sumner. She visited Scotland by the invitation of friends who de- frayed her expenses, and upon her return to Liverpool, other friends, hearing that she intended to sail for America in a packet, persuaded her to embark in a more commodious vessel, generously paying the price of her passage. In August, 1822, she embarked on board the Amity, for .the United States. Mr. Price, in the meantime, had been sent by the Baptist Board to Rangoon, in the double capacity of Physician and Minister. He arrived in December of LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. 105 1821, and on the following January, Mr. Hough again joined Mr. Judson. Mrs. Judson arrived in New York, in September, but owing to the prevalence of yellow fever, did not land there, taking a steamboat passage for Philadelphia. It was her intention to make but a short visit there, and proceed immediately to Bradford, but her physician ad- vised her to go to Washington. Upon at length joining her dear relatives and friends in Bradford, she was subjected to a keen disappointment. She had hoped to pass the winter in the bosom of her family, and sail for Burmah in the spring. The severity of a New England winter, and the excitement of receiv- ing so many old friends, proved too much for a frame already enfeebled by disease, and the physician ordered her to the south, as the only hope of regaining her strength. As she had left her beloved husband, and her dear missionary labors, solely to gain renewed strength for her task amongst the Burmans, so, now, thinking only of the end to be gained, she tore herself from the newly- found haven of rest, to pass the winter in Baltimore. A letter written to Mrs. Chapin, during her residence there, shows that although enfeebled in health, she still devoted herself to the great cause in which her life's in- terest was absorbed ; and, as she could not then assist Mr. Judson in his personal labors amongst the Burmans v she strove to interest her friends in the United States, by writing a "History of the Burman Mission." As soon as this work was published, she presented the copy- right of it to the Convention. I give her letter entire. 106 LIFE OF ANN HASSELTINE JUDSON. TO MRS. CHAPLIN OF WATERVILLE. Baltimore, Dec. 19