B6K* k ^ ; BRIEF HISTORY ^V. ,,,, ^ f» ^ l r,-yi _ i jr> ^pL I "i \ ^,/Ur OF THE n -^5., k\£ ^civ> V ^v, ■ ^ Yl v .vt- . -'V BDEMAN MISSION. In the deserts let me labor. On the mountains let me tell How he died — the blessed Saviour- To redeem a world from hell ! Let me hasten Far in heathen lands to dwell. * PHILADELPHIA: PUBLISHED BY THE BAPTIST GENERAL TRACT SOCIETY, ASH SOLD AT THEIR DEPOSITORY, NO. 21 SOUTH FOURTH STREET, AND BY AGENTS OF THE SOCIETY, AND ITS BRANCHES, IS THE PRINCIPAL CITIES AND TOWN'S 1N,THE UNITED STATES. APPEAL FROM -THE MISSIONARIES. IN BURMAH. It is with no common emotions that we present the following ap- peal to the churches, from the pen of Mr. Judson. It has touched our hearts. It cannot — it must nut be in vain. O brethren, if we have cars, we must hear. If we have eyes, they must weep. If we have hearts, they must feel. If we have decision, we must resolve. Ye redeemed by the blood of Christ, listen— and act. Ye ministers, kindle up and cherish the missionary flame in the souls committed to your charge. Ye young men, tell us, tell your own consciences, tell that Saviour whose service you have chosen, why this appeal should not find a response in your hearts and on your tongues. How can the perishing heathen believe in him of whonv they have not heard? and how can they hear without a preacher? and how can they preach, except they go 1 — Am. Bap .■ Magazine. Mauxmein, Jane 4th, 1832. Respected Fathers and Brethren : We arc in distress. We see thousands perishing around us. We see mission stations opening on every side : the fields growing whiter every day ; and no laborers to reap the harvest. We want instantly to send aid to the Tavoy station, where Br. Mason is laboring almost alone. We want instantly to send a missionary to Mergui, a pleasant, healthful town, south of Tavoy, where a small church has been raised up, and left in charge of a native pastor. Our hearts bleed when we think of poor Mergui and the Karens in that vicinity, many of whom are ready to embrace the gospel and be saved. But how can we allow ourselves to think of that small place, when the whole kingdom of Siam lies in our rear, and the city of Bankok, at once a port for ships and the seat of imperial government? We want in- stantly to despatch one of our number to Bankok. One? There ought, at this moment, to be three, at least, on their way to that important place. Another ought to be on his way to Yah-heing, a large town east of Maul mein, fron) ; which there is a fine river leading down to Bankok ; there are many Karens at Yah-heing. The Christian religion is creeping that way, by means of our Karen disciples. North of Yah-heing and the Thoung- yen river, the bound- ary of the British territory on that side, lies the king- dom or principality of Zen-mai. Moung Shway-bwen, one of our disciples, formerly with Br. Boardman at Tavoy, is a nephew of the prince, or deputy prince of that country, and is anxious to .return thither. But how can we send him, a very young man, without a missionary? If we .had a spare missionary, what a fine opportunity for introducing the gospel into that central tyo 2 BRIEF HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN BAPTIST MISSION IN BURMAH. In the month of February, 1812, five young men, who had formerly been fellow-students at Andover, sailed from this country to commence a foreign mis- sion under the patronage of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. It was owing to their urgent solicitations and moving appeals, that the churches were aroused, and this first Board of Mis- sions constituted. They sailed for Calcutta with in- structions to proceed to Burmah, if it were judged practicable to establish a mission there ; and as they were the earliest missionaries from this land, they would of course hasten at once to Serampore, to obtain the sympathies and advice of the venerable men who had so long been laboring in the field. Mr. Judson, who was one of the company, reflected during the voyage, that the Serampore brethren were Baptists ; and supposed very naturally, that he might be called, while sharing their hospitalities, to defend the Pedo- baptist opinions which he professed. Such anticipa- tions led him to a careful re-examination of the grounds of his faith, and, eventually, to a thorough change in his views. After a very serious and reluctant struggle, Mrs. Judson was compelled by a consciousness of right, and the clear demonstrations of the New Testament, to join her husband. Accordingly, they were both bap- tized and admitted to the church at Calcutta, September 6th, 1812. Mr. Rice who had sailed in another ship and arrived somewhat later, was the subject, without the slighest concert, of a similar change of feelings, and was baptized in November. This event led natu- rally to a dissolution of the connexion of Messrs. Judson and Rice with the Board under whose patron- age they went out, and threw them upon their own re* l 2 BRIEF HISTORY OF THE sources, or the event of some new arrangements at home. A spirit of opposition to their enterprize, which manifested itself at Calcutta, and the peremp- tory refusal of the East India Company to suffer their continuance within their dominions, led the missiona- ries to embark for the Isle of France. While at this place, Messrs. Judson and Rice thought it expedient that the latter should return at once to this country, and endeavor to awaken a spirit of missions among the Baptist churches. He accordingly sailed in March, 1813, and was wel- comed on his arrival in the United States, with great cordiality and affection. He was soon instrumental in awakening an extensive missionary feeling, and a large number of missionary societies were originated in various parts of the country ; and in April, 1814, the Baptist General Convention was formed in Philadelphia. The will of Providence was, perhaps, never more distinctly intelligible, than in the circumstances which led to the establishment of the American Baptist mis- sion in the Burman empire. Mr. Judson received no encouragement in respect to the station, from his friends at Serampore. The ground had already been tried. But such were the obstructions, resulting from a barbarous nation of idolaters, a despotic government, where change of religion in a native would be visited with death, and a language of difficult acquisition, that all former attempts had failed. The missionaries, few in number, who had been deputed by the Serampore brethren to go thither, had left in discouragement, and gone to other fields. Not a native had listened to the word of eternal life. Of the good seed of the king- dom, none had been sown. After long deliberation as to the course which they should pursue in their present embarrassing and unforeseen condition, Mi 4 , and Mrs. Judson resolved to attempt a mission at Penang or Prince of Wales’ Island, situated on the coast of Ma- lacca, and inhabited by Malays. As no passage to that island could be obtained from the Isle of France, they sailed for Madras in May, 1813, with the hope «f obtaining a passage thence to Penang. But here BURMAN MISSION. 3 they were disappointed. No passage to that place could be procured. Fearful that the English govern- ment in Bengal, would, on learning their arrival, send them to England, they resolved, after a stay at Madras of a few days, to take passage in a vessel bound to Rangoon. Thus by a wonderful series of providential occurences, they were impelled, contrary to their ex- pectations and plans, to the Burman empire ; and, amid hazard and discouragement, Mr. Judson resolved, in the name of God, there to set up the Christian banner. RANGOON. Mr. Judson arrived at Rangoon in July, 1813. On his arrival, he found a mission-house, occupied by the family of Mr. Felix Carey, which now became his home. Mr. C. soon left the station for an office under govern- ment ; and thus the mission was abandoned into the hands of the American Baptist Board. In October, 1816, Mr. and Mrs. Hough joined the mission family at Rangoon, having left the United States the preceding December. In March, 1817, four years after the commencement of the mission, the first inquirer presented himself to Mr. Judson. His appearance and manners excited high hopes ; and, at the close of his first visit, the mission family felt, that there was reason to thank God and take courage. In September, 1818, Messrs. Colman and Wheelock, who had sailed from Boston in November, 18 17, were added to the mission family at Rangoon. Mr. Judson had already completed the translation of the gospel by Matthew, and a zayat was built for religious worship, where he sat from day to day, to converse with all who came, on the things of the kingdom. The zayat was erected on a road, lined on both sides with pagodas ; and hence called Pagoda-Road. On the 27 th of June, 1819, the first baptism occurred in the Burman empire. Moung Nau, the subject of •it, gave a most satisfactory and interesting account of his mental exercises, and was admitted, with an ■unspeakably joyful welcome, to baptism and thfe church. 4 BRIEF HISTORY OF THE This first baptism seemed like the first fruits of a revival. The number of inquirers began to multiply, and at some meetings, especially of the females, the Holy Spirit was evidently present. On the 7th of No- vember following, two more converts were baptized. Individuals of rank and eminence were becoming zealous inquirers, and the holiest anticipations of the missionaries seemed on the point of being realized. But such was their success, that the fame of their operations could not be kept from the ears of the em- peror. Fearing the worst temporal consequences, praying for divine guidance, and pursuing what seem- ed to be the only course expedient, Messrs. Judson and Colman left Rangoon for Ava, the capital of the country, to seek the imperial favor and toleration, and safety for the baptized Burmans. , Their petition, however, was disregarded, their hopes were blight- ed, and they returned to tell the sad tidings to their converts. They had previously arranged that Mr. Colman should go to Chittagong, a place under British protection, so that in case of the worst, all the missionaries might find there an asylum from perse- cution. They ejxpected, when they disclosed their ill success to the disciples, that they would be filled with apprehensions, and perhaps be ready to renounce their Christian profession. But, on the contrary, they re- mained steadfast in the faith, and seemed willing that the will of the Lord should be done. “ Only stay with us,” they exclaimed, “ till there are ten con- verts ; then one can teach the rest ; and the emperor himself will not be able to destroy the new religion.” Mr. Colman shortly after went to Chittagong. Mr. Wheelock, whose health soon failed, died on his pas- sage to Bengal, whither he was going for medical aid. Mr. Hough was at Serampore, superintending the printing of a Burman tract. Mrs. Judson’s. health had become so impaired, that a voyage to Calcutta be- came indispensable. And so feeble was she before the time for her departure arrived, that Mr. Judson felt it necessary that he should accompany her. Thus the station must be left awhile without a missionary —the dependant sheep, led by no earthly shepherd. BURMAN MISSION. 5 But through the tender mercy of God, before the ship could get away, seven more Burmans gave satisfacto- ry evidence of a change of heart, and applied for bap- tism. They were accepted by the church, and added to the little band of believers ; so that the proposed ten was now filled. While at Calcutta, Mrs. Judson’s health gradually recovered, and she returned to Rangoon with her hus- band, in January, 1821. Soon after their return, another convert was baptized, Mounglng, who is now a native pastor. During the absence of the mission- aries, he had been endeavoring to spread among his friends the knowledge of a crucified Saviour. In November, 1821, Dr. Price, with his family, ar- rived to join the mission. Just as he landed, Mrs. Jud- son, in consequence of returning illness, was forced to leave all the endearments of that land of her affections, and return to America. She proceeded by the way of England. Having visited different sections of this country, and spent the winter at Baltimore, where she prepared for the press a history of the Burman mission, her health was so far recovered that she was able to re- turn to Rangoon the following summer. After being instrumental in thus enlisting many affections in the Burman mission, both at home and in England, she sailed again for India. She was accompanied in her return by Mr. and Mrs. Wade, who were appointed to join the station at Rangoon. They sailed from Boston in June, and arrived at Calcutta, October 19th ; soon after which they sailed for their final destina- tion. Ava. As the history of the station at Ava forms a kind of episode in the history of that at Rangoon, this seems to be the fittest place for its introduction. Soon after the arrival of Dr. Price, intelligence of his medi- cal skill was conveyed to the capital. He was imme- diately summoned to wait on the emperor. Hoping that a favorable opportunity might now open for the introduction of the gospel into the heart of the realm, Mr. Judson resolved to accompany the Doctor. Government-boats were furnished at the public ex- pense, and they were received with respect and kind- le 6 BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ness. Upon their arrival, Dr. Price was authorized to build himself a house, where he might live on terms of familiarity with the public officers, and in the en- joyment of perfect toleration. Until the country was thrown into a state of commotion, he was able indi- rectly to advance the objects of his mission. His medi- cal skill rendered him an object of favor and respect, and it was fondly hoped, that, in this golden* city, the grand point of attraction to the Burman empire, the church of Christ was about to be established on a ba- sis which could not be shaken. But events were destined soon to occur, which nipped the hopes of Christians in the bud. A war between the British and Burmese governments commenced about this period, which rendered the missionaries objects of suspicion and ill will. Be- cause their language was the same, and their pe- cuniary affairs were transacted through British agents, they were imagined to be spies for England. As the armies of the East India Company advanced from town to town, Messrs. Judson and Price were seized and imprisoned, and treated with the utmost severity. For a year and seven months, they were held in con- finement } often driven by savage persecutors from prison to prison ; immured in the death-prison, and saved from a violent death only by the interposition of a friendly Governor, and the constant intercessions of Mrs. Judson. A few passages are extracted from Mrs. Judson’s narrative of the scenes through which the mission- aries passed during the war.f “ On the 8th of June, just as we were preparing for dinner, in rushed an officer, holding a black book, * When anything belonging to the emperor is mentioned, the epithet “ golden” is attached to it. When he is said to have heard anything, “ it has reached the golden ears a person admitted to his presence “ has been at the golden feet the perfume of roses is described as grateful to “ the golden nose.” f Fora detailed account of these events, the reader is referred to the Memoir of Mrs. Judson, where will be found an extended history of appalling sufferings, every sentence of which possesses the most in- tense and thrilling interest. BURMAN MISSION. 7 witl*-a dozen Burmans, accompanied by one, whom, from his spotted face, we knew to be an executioner, and a ‘son of the prison.’ ‘ Where is the teacher?’ was the first inquiry. Mr. Judson presented himself. ‘ You are called by the King,’ said the officer ; a form of speech always used when about to arrest a crimi- nal. The spotted man instantly seized Mr. Judson, threw him on the floor, and produced the small cord, the instrument of torture. I caught hold of his arm ; ‘ Stay, .(said I,) I will give you money. ’ ‘ Take her too,’ said the officer ; ‘ she also is a foreigner.’ Mr. Judson, with an imploring look, begged they would let me remain till further orders. The scene was now shocking beyond description. The whole neighbor- hood had collected — the little Burman children were screaming and crying— the Bengalee servants stood in amazement at the indignities offered their master — and the hardened executioner, with a kind of hellish joy, drew tight the cords, bound Mr. Judson fast, and dragged him off I knew not whither. In vain I beg- ged and entreated the spotted face to take the silver, and loosen the ropes ; hut he spurned my offers, and immediately departed. I gave the money, however, to Moung Ing to follow after, and make some further attempt to mitigate the torture of Mr. Judson ; but in- stead of relieving their prisoner, when a few rods from the house, the unfeeling wretches again threw him on the ground, and drew the cords still tighter, so as al- most to prevent respiration. “The officer and his gang proceeded on to the court-house, where the Governor of the city and officers were collected, one of whom read the order of the King, to commit Mr. Judson to the death-prison into which he was soon hurled, the door closed- — and Moung Ing saw no more. What a night was now before me! I retired into my room, and endeavored to obtain consolation from committing my case to God, and imploring fortitude and strength to suffer what- ever awaited me. But. the consolation of retirement was not long allowed me, for the magistrate of the place had come into the verandah, and continually called me to come out, and submit to his examination. brief history of the I (lid so, and he inquired very minutely of everything I knew ; then ordered the gates of the compound to be shut, no person to be allowed to go in or out, placed a guard of ten ruffians, to whom he gave a strict charge to keep me safe, and departed. “It was now dark. I retired to an inner room with my four little Burman girls, and barred the doors. The guard instantly ordered me to unbar the doors and come out, or they would break the house down, and seemed resolved to annoy me as much as possi- ble. My unprotected, desolate state, my entire un- certainty of the fate of Mr. Judson, ana the dreadful carousings and almost diabolical language of the guard, all conspired to make it by far the most dis- tressing night I had ever passed. You may well im- agine, my dear brother, that sleep was a stranger to my eyes, and peace and composure to my mind. “ The next morning, I sent Moung Ing to ascertain the situation of your brother, and give him food, if still living. He soon returned with the intelligence that Mr. Judson, and all the white foreigners, were confined in the death prison , with three pairs of iron fetters each, and fastened to a long pole, to prevent their moving! The point of my anguish now was, that I was a prisoner myself, and could make no efforts for the release of the missionaries. I begged and en- treated the magistrate to allow me to go to some mem- ber of government to state my case ; but he said he did not dare to consent, for fear I should make my escape. I next wrote a note to one of the King’s sisters, with whom I had been intimate, requesting her to use her influence for the release of the teachers. The note was returned with this message— She ‘did not understand it,’ — which was a polite refusal to in- terfere ; though I afterwards ascertained that she had an anxious desire to assist us, but dared not on ac- count of the Queen. The day dragged heavily away, and another dreadful night was before me. I en- deavored to soften the feelings of the guard, by giving them tea and segars for the night ; so that they allow- ed me to remain inside of my room, without threat- ening as they did the night before. But the idea of BURMAN MISSION. 9 your brother being stretched on the bare floor in irons and confinement, haunted my mind like a spec- tre, and prevented my obtaining any quiet sleep, though nature was almost exhausted. “ On the third day, I sent a message to the Gover- nor of the city, who has the entire direction of pri- son affairs, to allow me to visit him with a present. This had the desired effect ; and he immediately sent orders to the guards, to permit my going into town. The Governor received me pleasantly, and asked me what I wanted. I stated to him the situation of the foreigners, and particularly that of the teachers, who were Americans, and had nothing to do with the war. He told me it was not in his power to release them from prison or irons, but that he could make their situation more comfortable ; there was his head officer, with whom I must consult, relative to the means. The officer, who proved to be one of the city writers, and whose countenance at the first glance presented the most perfect assemblage of all the evil passions at- tached to human nature, took me aside, and en- deavored, to convince me, that myself, as well as the prisoners, was entirely at his disposal — that our future comfort must depend on my liberality in regard to presents — and that these must be made in a private way, and unknown to any officer in the government! What must I do, said I, to obtain a mitigation of the present sufferings of the two teachers ? ‘ Pay to me,’ said he, ‘two hundred tickals, (about a hundred dol- lars,) two pieces of fine cloth, and two pieces of hand- kerchiefs.’ I had taken money with me in the morning, our house being two miles from the prison — I could not easily return. This I offered to the writer, and begged he would not insist on the other articles, as they were not in my possession. He hesitated for sometime, but fearing to lose the sight of so much money, he concluded to take it, promising to relieve the teachers from their most painful situation. “ I then procured an order from the Governor for my admittance into prison ; but the sensations pro- duced by meeting your brother in that wretched , horrid situation, and the affecting scene which ensued,. L I 10 BRIEF HISTORY OF THE will not attempt to describe. ■ Mr Judson crawled to the door of the prison — for I was not allowed to enter — gave me some directions relative to his release ; but before we could make any arrangement, I was ordered to depart, by those iron-hearted jailers, who could not endure to see us enjoy the poor consolation of meeting in that miserable place. In vain I pleaded the order from the Governor for my admittance ; they again harshly repeated, ‘Depart, or we will pull you out.’ The same evening, the missionaries, to- gether with the other foreigners, who paid an equal sum, were taken out of the common prison, and con- fined in an open shed in the prison enclosure. Here I was allowed to send them food, and mats to sleep on ; but was not permitted to enter again for several days.” Mrs. Judson was now continually annoyed and ter- rified by the movements of government and petty officers ; the mission-house was searched by official order, and its contents confiscated, though not all removed. For several succeeding months, she was unwearied in her efforts to procure the release of her husband and Dr. Price, to supply them with food, to effect a mitigation of their sufferings, or a reprieve from immediate execution. The birth of a daughter during this distracting period, adds an interest to the events which needs no comment. “During these seven months, the continual extortions and oppressions to which your brother, and the other white prisoners were subject, are indescribable. Some- times sums of money were demanded, sometimes pieces of cloth, and handkerchiefs ; at other times, an order would be issued that the white foreigners should not speak to each other, or have any communication with their friends without. Then, again, the servants were forbidden to carry in their food, without an extra fee. Sometimes, for days and days together, I could not go into the prison till after dark, when I had two miles to walk., in returning to the house. O how many, many times, have I returned from that dreary prison at nine o’clock at night, solitary and i't with fatigue and anxiety, and endeavored to BURMAN MISSION. 1'1 invent some new scheme for the release of the prison- ers. Sometimes, for a moment or two, my thoughts would glance toward America, and my beloved friends there — but for nearly a year and a half, so entirely engrossed was every thought with present scenes and sufferings, that I seldom reflected on a single occur- rence of my former life, or recollected that I had a friend in existence out of Ava. “You, my dear brother, can judge from the above circumstances, how intense were my sufferings. But the point, the acme of my distress, consisted in the awful uncertainty of our final fate. My prevailing opinion was, that my husband would suffer vio- lent death ,* and that I should, of course, become a slave, and languish out a miserable, though short existence, in the tyrannic hands of some unfeeling monster. But the consolations of religion, in these trying circumstances, were neither ‘ few nor small.’ It taught me to look beyond this world, to that rest, that peaceful, happy rest, where Jesus reigns, and op- pression never enters. Sometimes Mrs. J. procured for the prisoners a partial relief, but it was only temporary, and then some fresh instance of oppression would occur, re- newing her most fearful apprehensions. Such an instance is narrated below. She had been permitted to make for Mr. J. a little bamboo room in the prison enclosures, where he was allowed to spend portions of his time, and she could occasionally sit with him. One morning he “sent me word that he and all the white prisoners were put into the inner prison, in five pairs of fetters each, that his little room had been torn down, and his mat, pillow, &c. been taken by the jailers. This was to me a dreadful shock, as I thought at once it was only a prelude to greater evils. “ I was determined to see the Governor, and know the cause of this additional oppression ; and for this purpose returned into town the same evening, at an hour I knew he would be at home. He was in his audience room, and, as I entered, looked up without speaking, but exhibited a mixture of shame and af-.^ L’2' BRIEF HISTORY OF THE fected anger in his countenance. I began by saying, Your Lordship has hitherto treated us with the kind- ness of a father. Our obligations to you are very great. We have looked to you for protection from oppression and cruelty. You have in many instances mitigated the sufferings of those unfortunate, though innocent beings committed to your charge. You have promised me particularly, that you would stand by me to the last, and though you should receive an order from the king, you would not put Mr. J. to death. What crime has he committed to deserve such additional punishment-? The old man’s hard heart was melted, for he wept like a child. ‘ I pity you, Tsa-yar-ga-dau, (a name byt. which he always called me) l knew you would make me feel ; I therefore for- bade your application. But you must believe me when I say, I do not wish to increase the sufferings of the prisoners. When I am ordered to execute them, the least that I can do is, to put them out of sight. I will now tell you (continued he) what I have never told you before, that three times I have received inti- mations from the Queen’s brother, to assassinate all the white prisoners privately ; but I would not do it. And I now repeat it, though I execute all the others, I will never execute your husband. But I cannot re- lease him from his present confinement, atid you must not ask it.’ I had never seen him manifest so much feeling, or so resolute in denying me a favor; which circumstance was an additional reason for thinking dreadful scenes were before us. “The situation of the prisoners was now distress- ing beyond description. It was at the commencement of the hot season. There were above a hundred prisoners shut up in one room, without a breath of air, excepting from the cracks in the boards. I some- times obtained permission to go to the door for five minutes, when my heart sickened at the wretchedness exhibited. The white prisoners, from incessant per- spiration and loss of appetite, looked more like the dead than the living. I made daily applications to she Governor, offering him money, which he refused, BURMAN MISSION. 13 but all that I gained, was permission for the foreign- ers to eat their food outside, and this continued but a short time. “ After continuing in the inner prison for more than a month, your brother was taken with a fever. I felt assured he would not live long, unless removed from that noisome place. The Governor, being worn out with my entreaties, at length gave me the order in an official form, to take Mr. J. out of the large prison, and place him in a more comfortable situation ; and also gave orders to the head jailer, to allow me to go in and out, all times of the day, to administer medi- cines,