MISSIONARY REGISTER, FOR FEBRUARY, 1832. SUBSCRIPTIONS and donations to the General Convention of the Baptist Denomination in the United States, for Foreign Missions, &c. should be transmitted to Heman Lincoln, Esq. Treasurer, at the Baptist Missionary Rooms, No. 17, Joy's Building, Washington Street, Boston. The Communications for the Corresponding Secretary should be directed to the same place. MR. MASON'S JOURNAL. On board March 30, 1831. This evening, accompanied by several members of the mission family, Mrs. Mason and myself came on board this vessel, expecting on the morrow to sail for Tavoy. To part from Christian friends in a land where the Christian is so rare, and to be separated from Christian privileges where they are so few, seem to be events which the Christian cannot but deplore. However, I mourn not; "the Lord is the portion of mine inheritance:" and though he may call me to go where no sabbath is acknowledged, and no kind Christian offices performed, yet he will never send me "where universal love smiles not around." Sitting on deck this evening, I entered into conversation with the owner of the vessel, who is an Indoo Chinese. After conversing a short time on mercantile topics, the conversation took a religious turn, when he immediately observed, "I no understand plenty English." How true it is "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh!" Here is a man who has learned to converse concerning his merchandize, but of God and eternity knows not a word! April 1. The expiring day has brought no pilot and we are yet at the anchorage of yesterday. I have repeatedly strained my eyes in looking at Maulmein, which lies in the distant perspective, but can recognize nothing distinctly save its lofty pagoda; though sometimes it is almost certain I see the tall leafless tree towering above the surrounding huts, which stand in the Missionary compound; but again I think "'tis imagination all." What desolation sin has made! On the site of yonder town once stood a city of from one hundred to one hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants. But the fire-brand of war consumed its dwellings, and the merciless sword drank the life-blood of their inmates; and so completely was its place blotted out, that when the British first landed, it was the work of a day for the soldiers to cut a path through the jungle to the place of their present cantonment; which is the site of an ancient fortification at the northern extremity of the town. It is at the south-eastern angle of this walled enclosure, of more than half a square mile area, that the great pagoda stands, on the highest point of the ridge of hills that extends about three miles behind the town, parallel with the river, and commanding a prospect which I have seldom seen equalled. A prospect that wants but a location in Switzerland or Italy, to acquire the appellation, romantic. On the north are seen the lofty hills of Martaban or Zingat mountains, visible at sea more than forty miles; to the right of these are the Zwagaben mountains, at the distance of from twenty to forty miles; but with the rays of the setting sun reflected from their ragged and perpendicular sides, one imagines them not farther than a morning's walk. On one of their summits is a pagoda visible in clear weather with the naked eye, the materials for which I am told, must have been carried a considerable distance across a narrow ridge, not wide enough for two men to pass each other, seven hundred feet perpendicular descent on each side. Mountains are also seen scattered to the east and south; one or two of which are remarkable for standing alone, in a low, flat region, high, and to all appearance absolutely inaccessible. Five streams may here be viewed at once. The Salwen from the north, the Gaing from the east, and the Attran from the south, all unite in a large bason, which lies spread out on the north, and which finds an outlet between the rocky points of Maulmein and Martaban, but is divided again to the east and south by the Island of Pelew Gewan (the Island of Man-eaters) marked on the old maps Bruxe Island. "The misty mountain tops," the meanderings of the silvery Attran passing amid the gloomy forest, or skirting the distant paddy field that spreads its light green foliage like an island in the jungly ocean around, with ragged rocks, lifting their precipitous sides and naked brows above the plains; these, with a thousand beauties in the landscape, that nature scatters in attractive confusion, but which pen cannot describe, afford a scene which to the painter or poet were grand. Nor is it less so to the Missionary. To him it wears a sublimity far beyond what nature gives it, when he muses on the thousands and thousands of immortal spirits, "dead in trespasses and sins," with which those hills, and vallies, and plains are peopled; and yearns to point them to Him who is as "the shadow of a great rock in a weary land," and "Sweetly speak of sins forgiven, Earnest of the joys of heaven." April 4. Amherst is fast receding from our eyes, and the Hope tree, unconscious alike of the treasure at its feet, and its own classic celebrity, is mingling with the unnoted forest around. A passage, which on last going up to Maul mein, I made in five hours, has cost us five days; affording some fine opportunities for the exercise of patience; a quality though of but little display, yet of the last importance to a missionary. An incident occurred to day which shows the importance of missionaries being liberally supplied with medicines. Last evening the captain retired with a high fever, but in hopes that medical assistance might be obtained to day from Amherst, I neglected to prescribe. Learning, however, my mistake, this morning, from the pilot, I recommended medicine, when it appeared that there was not a dose of medicine on board, excepting mine. I accordingly prescribed for him, and success seems to accompany the prescription; for he is much better this evening. April 6. This morning we found ourselves, at day-light, opposite Ya, the capital of a province of the same name, and about fifty miles south of Amherst. The entrance of the river is so shut in by islands, that the town cannot be seen at sea. It is a spot that seems well situated for another mission station, and would form a connecting link between Maulmein and Tavoy. A missionary itinerating from Ya across the mountains would meet with multitudes of Karens that have not yet heard of a Saviour. April 8. About dark this evening, as we were endeavoring to round Tavoy point, to obtain anchorage within the mouth of the river, a heavy squall came up from the south, and we were glad, in sea parlance, to wear ship and put out to sea again. April 9. This morning we succeeded in coming into the river, which on a clear day, like the present, affords some fine natural scenery. The southern horizon is spotted with numerous islands that form a part of Malte Brun's Murgui Archipelago. In the east and south, excepting a few alluvial spots, hills and mountains are seen from the water's edge to the separating chain that divides this pro vince from Siam, exhibiting in some places six different ridges gradually towering above each other, and distinctly traced by "shade deepening into shade." Precipitous rocks covered, now with a grey, and anon with a scarlet lichen, afford a pleasing relief to the eye, from the dark forests, with which the whole is otherwise clothed. The river, which at the mouth is ten or twelve miles wide, soon becomes diversified with numerous islands; some, irregular masses of rocks; the work, it would seem, of some convulsion of nature; others, low and flat, formed by depositions from the river, overgrown with the fern with which the natives of this country always thatch their houses, and displaying a front little inferior in height to trees. But for eighteen miles above the mouth, not a vestige of human habitations can be seen, nor aught to suggest a thought that the foot of man has ever trod "Yon rocky falls, that seem to bid defiance To steps the most adventurously bold. There silence dwells profound; and if the cry Of high-poised eagle break, at times, the calm, The mantled echoes no response return." Tavoy, April 11. We arrived here this evening about nine o'clock, and were happy to find sister Boardman and her little son well, and pleased to hear of some interesting occurrences of a missionary character; but as she has communicated them in a journal to the Board, it is not necessary to notice them here. April 24. We examined a Karen and his wife, this evening, who request baptism, and as they give satisfactory evidence of having passed from death unto life, I propose baptizing them to-morrow morning. April 25. This morning, while the friends of missions were assembled for sabbath evening worship,* I baptised the two Karens noted in the journal of yesterday. They *The morning of the Sabbath on the other side of the globe, comes on as our evening approaches. were up, praying, nearly all the night previous to their examination, as we are told. April 29. Ko Thah-byoo, who has been making a beginning at schoolkeeping among his countrymen, returned last evening, accompanied by five or six of his scholars, whom he brought up this morning for examination in relation to their duties. We were well pleased with the progress they have made, considering the opportunities they possess for acquiring the language, Ko Thah-byoo himself speaking Burman imperfectly, and reading worse than he speaks. However, he is the best teacher we can give them, and is much better than none. May 1. Of two Karens that asked for baptism to day, the first was accepted, but we shall defer his baptism until the following sabbath. The other, a female of rather more than usual natural abilities, that has learned to read with no assistance, but what she could occasionally obtain from a Burman passing through the village where she resides, we were constrained to reject, not feeling satisfied with her piety. May 6. Yesterday brought us several arrivals of Karens, and this morning, with an audience of more than fifty, we commenced examining the candidates for baptism, We have to day accepted five, rejecting three. May 7. Six have been approved for the ordinance to day, and three more rejected. In the evening we went out to the baptismal tank, and I baptised the twelve, six men and six women, who have been received. The pleasure arising from these seasons is not a little embittered by the numerous instances that occur, of persons turning from the church to the world, and the consequent responsibility devolving on him who opens the door into the church. And while I rejoice in the pleasing prospects before us, I would not trust them, and I feel most encouraged by the promises of that God who has said, “I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear." May 8. This evening I had the pleasure of administering the communion to a church gathered from the heathen, among whom were present forty-four Karens. After Ko Ing had concluded a discourse on the sufferings of Christ, I read that part of the Burman Liturgy, which relates to the breaking of bread, and Moung Shwa Bwen followed in prayer. The bread having been carried round by Ko Thahbyoo, after reading the remaining part of the communion service, Moung Kiya prayed in Karen; Ko Dwah, a deacon of the Maulmein church, carried round the wine, and the services were closed by the blessing being pronounced. Such is our mode at these extremities of the earth, of celebrating the sufferings and death of our crucified Redeemer. After the services were over, and before the communicants left their seats, I distributed to each individual a little selection of tracts, that had been previously prepared for them. May 9. This morning the Karens left us for their native villages, from whom we expect to hear little or nothing until the close of the rains; a duration of six months. Ko Thah-byoo will be employed among them during the season, in preaching and keeping school. We have also engaged Moung Thah Nan, one of their number that can read a little, to keep school and teach all he knows. As soon as the mountains are passable after the rains, they have been instructed to communicate the intelligence, and unless brother Jones comes down, we intend sewing up the doors again, and moving into the jungle. May 21. Schools being our only field of usefulness during the rains, they obtain considerable of our attention. Sister Boardman, besides *Their houses are made of bamboo and other light materials, so that a thread constitutes the fastening of the doors. doing all in the boarding school, that Mrs. Mason and myself cannot, is deeply engaged with the female day school, which falls wholly into her department. I have felt the want of school books to be the greatest difficulty. Brother Boardman had intended to have prepared something for an arithmetic, but his sudden death prevented. To supply this deficiency, I have devoted considerable time latterly, to the translating into Burman, with such alterations as the different weights, measures, and articles, used in this country render necessary, several sheets of "Colburn's Intellectual Arithmetic," and having employed Ko Dwah to write off a few copies, I have this week introduced them into the school. While I have been engaged as above, Mrs. Mason has been translating Dr. Judson's tract on Geography, into English, a part of which has also gone into the school this week. In this way we turn their English studies to the best advantage, as they learn English and Geography together. But there is no inducement for the natives of this country to study the English language; and to do it, to any purpose, requires more labor than these people will devote to any thing. I intend teaching it therefore, no farther than it can be made useful in understanding maps, &c., which cannot be obtained in their own language. Indeed, I should much prefer having maps for them in Burman, and thought of preparing a set; but after drawing one, I found it would require more time than would be justifiable for me to devote to such an object. 66 we May 24. Three Karens arrived this evening who are not christians, but say, They are very anxious to obtain are considering." some one to keep school in the village where they reside. May 25. Moung Sek-Kya, of whose return from Siam we have had previous intelligence, arrived at the mission house this evening, and confirms all that has been said in relation to the unfavorable reception of Divine truth in that country. In only two houses, he says, could he succeed in leaving tracts. Returning by a circuitous route from the south, he met with something more encouraging among the Karens in that direction. At eight days journey from this place, he says they have built a zayat for a christian teacher, in hopes that some one will come among them, and for whom they are very anxious. Were ever a people prepared for the gospel, surely the Karens are that people! But christians have been waiting so long for "the Lord's time," before they engaged in missions, that when the heathen would "cast their idols to the moles and the bats" they have none to guide them into the way of truth. May 29. Last evening we had an arrival of six Karens, from the village on this side the mountains, to spend the Sabbath with us, although some of the streams they have to wade are already breast high. Two of the number request baptism, but I think it best for them to wait. May 30. This morning, Moung Sek-Kya left us with instructions to go to the neighborhood of the place where the zayat has been built, and if practicable, get up a school, but otherwise, to go and keep school in the village from which we received application, as noticed in my journal of the 24th. Extracts from the last Journal kept by the late Rev. George D. Boardman, after his return from Maulmein to Tavoy. Tavoy, Dec. 8, 1830.-Received a visit from five Karens, who came out loaded with presents as soon as they heard of our arrival. Two of them requested baptism, but concluded to defer it till Ko Thah-byoo returns from Moung So's village, whither he has gone to communicate the news of our arrival. After evening service, had a slight expectoration of blood, the first for about two years. Dec. 11. Two small companies of Karens visited us, among whom were two of the baptized. They had not heard of our arrival. They seemed much gratified to see us. Three of them are desirous of being baptized, but they will wait a short season. From one of the baptized, we are happy to learn that all the disciples are in health; and no one has fallen from his steadfastness. Lord's day, the 12th.-I have been very weak and entirely unable to preach since the expectoration of blood on Wednesday night. Ko Ing, who is spending a month or two with us, preaches for me. Ten or twelve Karens present to-day. Dec. 13.-Moung Sek Kya who has been with us three days, proposes going across to the Siamese frontier and spending three months, partly in trading, and partly in communicating what he can of the Gospel to his fellow Karens. I gave him a supply of scriptures and tracts for distribution, as opportunity offers. Dec. 16. In the morning a small number of Karens, who have been here four or five days, left us; and in the afternoon, Ko Thah-byoo arrived, with about forty in his train, all of whom, he said had come to receive baptism. It appeared, that there were in the company all the disciples, except the two who had previously visited us. So that we have now met with each one of the thirteen Karen disciples, and a large number of others who wish to be baptized. How pleasing is our interview. But I am too feeble to describe it. We shall probably spend the next three or four days, in examining the candidates. And O may the Spirit of the Lord be with us, to guide us in all our proceedings. Dec. 20. Finished the examination, which has lasted above three whole days and evenings. Eighteen Karens, among whom were five females, have been accepted, and were this day baptized by our ordained brother Ing. With them, was baptized also, Moung Berah, a lovely lad from our school, the son of the chief native officer in the place. The father is a Moosool |