OF CONGRESS, *T>\1 *r^7 \ : 3s£>5 UNITED STATES OF TWENTY-SIX TEARS IN BURMAH RECORDS OF THE LIFE AND WORK OF JOSEPH G. BINNEY, D.D. BY MRS. J. G. BINNEY. "When I was converted, I resolved, never to ask what I would like to do, but what the Lord would have me do." J. G. B. WAStt^ PHILADELPHIA: American Baptist Publication Society, 1420 Chestnut Street. / ? ■ The Library of Congress WASHINGTON Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1880, by the AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. PREFACE. EVERY human being is interested to a greater or less degree, in the life of every other human being, "for we are breth- ren," inseparably linked together in our origin, in the fall from original purity, in the " Second Adam, the Lord from heaven," in our mutual influence, and in our final destiny. "As face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man," and thus one reads in the lives of others, though under different circum- stances, and the same circumstances often attended with differ- ent results, one's own biography. But the life of every man, even of every good man, cannot be written. There would be neither biographers nor readers. " The world itself could not contain the books that should be written." Every man, doing his duty, is himself in the thickest of the fight, and cannot pause too long, nor too often, to know how it has fared with his brother, by what means he has conquered, or through what defects he has failed. But, the Bible teaches us by the lives and deeds of men and women, and all ages and condi- tions furnish eager learners ; an occasional glimpse, also, of the manner of one who has fought at our side, or but just before us, and won the victor's crown, cannot but be an inspiration. There must, however, be a special reason for writing a biogra- phy. Does such a reason exist in the Life and Labors of Dr. Binney ? If such a reason exists, why be written by one whose 5 6 PREFACE. relation to him for nearly half a century, had been such, as to almost necessitate the writing an autobiography as well ? These are weighty questions ; and were asked by the author of this volume with intense solicitude, before entering on the work ; and they are questions which will, doubtless, again be asked by some to whose attention it is now brought. These questions were settled in the mind of the writer in this way. It did not originate in her own mind, but was first sugges- ted to her by members of the mission circle in Burmah. She then wrote to several of Dr. Binney's personal friends, on whose judgment she felt willing to rely, as to its desirableness ; inquir- ing at the same time, if deemed desirable, what suitable person of leisure and ability could be found, who would be willing to do it ; or, what was more probable, what suitable person could be found able and willing to add this to already exhausting duties ? The reply from every one was, in substance, the same. One wrote, " My mind had been directed to this subject before receiving your letter. Dr. Lowrie, of the A. B. C. F. M., said to me the other day, ' Dr. Binney's life belongs to the mission cause in general, and not to his own denomination exclusively. His work in Theological Education was a pioneer work, and has not only been a stimulus, but a model on which other societies have acted.' I have also spoken with others on the subject, and their views harmonize with my own, that a life of such rare con- secration should be made useful to young men just entering upon their life's work, and to young pastors as well." Others have written strongly and in a similar strain. A leading pastor wrote, " I am convinced there is much in the history of Dr. Bin- ney that is of permanent value in the work we have to do for the master. He had clear forecast as to the wants of his special field. It accorded with the experience of leading Christian PREFACE. 7 workers of all ages, and all successful missionaries have been forced, though against their first convictions, to accept it. 'We must first make disciples, second baptize,' said Jerome ; 'third, teach them to observe all things commanded. The teaching is the leading work of pastors and teachers.' For this, schools must be sustained ; books in a language which has a Christian literature must be accessible to native teachers ; and books in the vernacular must, as fast as possible, be prepared. The founding of schools in France and Germany by Charlemagne, and in En- gland by Alfred, were as essential as gospel preaching, and all the work of our missions in Burmah will be perverted by Roman- ists now, as in ancient Europe, unless the safe-guard of a Christian education be furnished. Dr. Binney's books should be supple- mented by his Life, which the educated Karens can read. To them his whole life is invaluable. Besides, Dr. Binney's churches and pupils in America, and many of his ministering brethren, would be benefited by the record." Another pastor, whose sound judgment and large experience entitle him to a hearing, has, unasked, not only urged that such a work be prepared, but has shown the sincerity of his advice by offering pecuniary assistance, though his means are limited. No one has suggested a person to whom application might be made to write this work, but all have said, "This work must be done by yourself." One friend wrote, " No one else knew Dr. Binney in all his varied spheres of labor, and if another should write, you would have to furnish the data for writing." Another wrote, " In no way could your own usefulness be so increased; in no way could you so effectually serve the Mission Cause, as by de- voting a portion of your remaining days in preparing a record of your husband's life and work." Thus encouraged, the work was begun, but not without many 8 PREFACE. doubts and misgivings ; but day by day these diminished. As the work proceeded the conviction increased, that if properly pre- sented, the example of one, having so rare opportunities for giving up not merely the prospect of worldly honor and prefer- ment, and pecuniary reward as well, but the actual possession of them all, counting nothing dear unto himself, so that he might win Christ and serve him, in testifying the gospel of the grace of God to the degraded and perishing, — would surely perpetuate and intensify its influence. But as to publishing her work in its present form, no decision was made, until, by her return from Burmah, the author was able to submit it to such men as Dr. Murdock of the Missionary Union, Dr. Howard Osgood of the Rochester Theological Semi- nary, and Dr. Kendrick of the Rochester University, for perusal and suggestions. Most gladly would the materials have been put into abler hands for use, but all have said, "It is better so." Thus, it is given to the public, with no other desire, than that Jesus should be honored and his cause promoted by the example and character so imperfectly delineated. J. P. B. CONTENTS. CHAPTER. PAGE. I. — Ancestry and Early Childhood n II.— Conversion, Missionary Spirit 25 III. — Change of Views on Baptism 36 IV.— First Pastorate 41 V.— Winter in Baltimore 52 VI.— SOUTHBRIDGE PASTORATE . 6l VII.— Savannah Pastorate 81 VIII.— Call to Burmah 105 IX.— Preparations for Departure 131 X.— Voyage to Maulmain 151 XI.— Commencement of Missionary Work 166 XII. — Educational Work in Maulmain 185 XIIL— On the Ships "Sutlej" and "Arab" 225 XIV.— Pastoral Labors North and South 236 XV.— At Columbian College, D. C 262 XVI.— Kemendine Seminary at Rangoon 272 XVII. — Permanent Seminary at Rangoon 301 I O CONTENTS. CHAPTER. PAGE. XVIII.— Eighteen Months at Home 308 XIX.— Again at Rangoon 319 XX.— Final Departure from Rangoon 333 XXL— Survey of his Work in Burmah 339 XXII. — Starts again for Burmah. Last Days 351 XXIII. — Memorial Services at Rangoon 364 XXIV.— Tributes to the Memory of Dr. Binney 370 Index 380 TWENTY-SIX YEARS IN BURMAH. CHAPTER I. ANCESTRY AND EARLY CHILDHOOD. 1807 — 1 8 17. THE name of Binney is not an unfamiliar one, either in Great Britain or America; yet it is believed there is not an individual of that name in America whose lin- eage it would be difficult to trace back to one ancestor. Nor is it difficult, on unquestionable authority, to trace the lineage in England back to a period previous to 1558. Charles J. F. Binney, Esq., of Boston, Massachusetts, has been greatly interested in the ancestry of his family. He has brought ability, leisure, and rare opportunity to the research, and has kindly furnished the writer with the result of his efforts in that direction, from which the following facts have been selected. John Binney and wife Mercy, ancestors of all the name in America, were in Hull, Massachusetts, in 1680, with their two eldest children, John and Samuel. John, afterwards deacon of the church in Hull, was born in 1679, and died in the eighty-first year of his age. His somewhat broken grave-stone is still to be seen in the cemetery at Hull. I 2 TWENTY-SIX YEARS IN BURMAH. John Binney and his wife Mercy, with their two children sailed from Worksop, England, for America about that period, that is, about 1680. Their ancestors had been in Worksop from some time previous to 1558, and had doubtless come from Scotland with one of the early Dukes of Norfolk, who own Worksop Manor, Work- sop. John's son, Deacon John Binney, married in Eastham, Massachusetts, Hannah Paine, in 1704, who was con- nected with the pilgrim families of Hopkins, Snow, and Shaw. One of Deacon John's sons, Captain Amos Bin- ney, married Rebecca, daughter of Deacon Benjamin Loring, who had with others a son Benjamin, born in 1749, who married Jane Loring, of Hull. They had two sons, Benjamin, the father of Matthew Binney, Esq., of Boston, and others, and Joshua, the father of Joseph Getchell, the subject of this memoir. Another son of Captain Amos Binney, Amos Binney, Jr., was the grand- father of Charles J. F. Binney and others of Boston. He is still remembered in Boston as one of its merchant princes. A brother of Captain Amos, Captain Barnabas Binney, ship-master and merchant of Hull and Boston, was the grandfather of the distinguished jurist, the late Hon. Horace Binney of Philadelphia, Penn.; Deacon John being his great-grandfather and the great-great- grandfather of Joseph Getchell Binney and the Binneys of the same generation in Boston. Hon. Jonathan Binney, born in Hull and ancestor of the Nova Scotia branch of the name, son of Thomas, captain and merchant of Hull and Boston, who was the son of the ancestor John and Mercy, and brother ANCESTR Y AND EARL Y CHILDHOOD. I 3 of Deacon John, of Hull, Massachusetts, removed to Halifax, N. S.; was early a member of Her Majesty's Council, and possessed large tracts of land. The family are highly connected and influential there, and also in Great Britain. One of his descendants is now Lord Bishop of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Charles J. F. Binney, Esq., of Boston, says: " The Hon. Horace Binney, of Philadelphia, once wrote me that he was proud of his ancestors, especially of Deacon John Binney, and the ancestry in Worksop." He also adds : " I have no doubt our family are from England, of the Worksop branch, of the medium class, practical workers in their various vocations, and honest men." Though honesty, sterling integrity, have ever character- ized the name of Binney, and though the blood of the Pilgrim Fathers was so largely mingled with that of the original stock from their earliest American history, yet it does not appear that any of the name, until Joseph Getchell with his contemporary relatives came upon the stage, ever devoted themselves to the work of the gospel ministry. As has been seen, the sea, united most fre- quently with mercantile pursuits, has had for them spe- cial attractions. There has not been wanting, however, a considerable number of distinguished members both of the professions of law and medicine, with a few gentle- men of means and culture, who, while being useful mem- bers of society, have not followed any special vocation. Jane Loring Binney, the mother of Joshua Binney, having been left a widow while still young, came from Hull to Boston with her two boys for the purpose of giving them a better education and business training 14 TWENTY-SIX YEARS IN BURMAH. than they could obtain in Hull. Joshua married, in 1803, Hannah Getchell, the daughter of Captain John and Hannah Getchell, of Marblehead, Massachusetts. Their third son, Joseph Getchell, was born in Bos- ton, December 1, 1807. For the first few months of his life he was an unusually healthy child. This his parents had a right to expect of their children. Both were robust and healthy, and both descended from ancestors remarkable for physical strength and longevity. About the close of the first year, however, Joseph had the whooping-cough, from which for some time his recovery was doubtful, and which made him an exceedingly delicate child. Until about ten years of age he was carefully watched and greatly in- dulged. He went to school, but did not mingle much in the usual sports of boys of his age. His two elder brothers, though very fond of him, were not fond of his company in their athletic sports, in which they excelled. They often tried to hire him to stay at home with "mother and the girls," but this did not always suit his tastes. He joined his brothers in their swimming, coasting, and skating sufficiently often to be expert in them all. His parents were neither of them, in his childhood, members of any church, but he has often spoken of their great care that he associated only with the best boys. Though in games and plays boys of the school, or the whole neighborhood even, would unite, yet he did not visit or receive visits from the lawless or un- ruly, whatever their standing or position. He has been heard to tell the story of his having once ac- ANCESTR Y AND EARL Y CHILDHOOD. I 5 companied some boys of that description to a wharf where hogsheads of molasses were lying for the pur- pose of being tested, and he joined them in inserting straws and trying their quality for themselves. His soiled frill revealed the secret, and his mother taught him in a way he never forgot ''that he did not belong to that set." At this period his parents were regular attendants at Dr. Thomas Baldwin's church, and Joseph accompanied them. This was his grandmother's place of worship, though a member of another church, and as she lived near the church, her son with his family was accustomed to dine with her and remain for the afternoon service. These Sunday dinners with grand- mother were looked back upon with pleasure, even down to old age. Joseph there often met Dr. Bald- win and other ministers. But although she often had, and always expected, guests on the Lord's Day, the dinner was prepared the evening before, and kept warm in the brick oven of those days, or eaten cold; and no fire was ever made in the kitchen after the early breakfast till the evening tea. Every member of the family, domestics included, was expected to go to the house of God at least twice on the Lord's Day, nor were the guests allowed to break in on its proper observance. Religious books were provided, and the children expected to be quiet, if not old enough to read; yet no punishment was so much dreaded by them as to be deprived of the usual Sun- day dinner at grandmother's. When Joseph was about ten years of age an event occurred which had a marked influence upon his 2* I 6 TWENTY-SIX YEARS IN BURMAH. whole future life. His father, though a young me- chanic, had been successful in business, and was al- ready considered to be a rich man. It required less, at that time, to place a man among the rich men of our cities than now; but he was at least prosperous, and his name sought as security for a considerable sum. The wife objected, on the ground of the bare possibility of his having to pay it. She was assured that there was not the slightest probability of such an event; that business men must oblige each other in that way sometimes, or no business could be done. She urged the impropriety of giving so heavy secur- ity where the failure would leave a young family des- titute. However, the paper was signed, with the promise that she should never be made anxious in that way again, and assured that all was safe. The "improbable" event did take place, and in less than a year the family was left destitute of everything but a good house well furnished, and an ample wardrobe, and stores for present use. It came so suddenly that it stunned the poor father, who fled at once to New York, then, seemingly much farther from Boston than now, to seek employment which would give bread to his family. He could not wait to take counsel with his friends and allow them to assist him ; " he would have to take a subordinate position, and he would do it among strangers." The wife counselled with her two little sons, the one twelve and the other ten years of age. The eldest son had already obtained a reluc- tant permission to go to sea, and had sailed in one of Captain John Binney's vessels for China, his parents ANCESTRY AND EARLY CHILDHOOD. 17 hoping that one voyage would satisfy him. The con- clusion was that the boys must leave school, and the elder one try to obtain some employment. Joseph •was equally sanguine that he " would find something to do" to help his mother and three little sisters. With characteristic promptness, the next morning he rose early and looked over his treasures to see if he could part with anything that would help his mother. He had a plenty of nice clothes, but thought they would not sell for enough to replace them when needed. He looked overall his toys; but they would not sell for much; and his books — they would sell for more, for they were uninjured — but, though he could not hope to go to school again, he would need his books. He packed them carefully away, and never parted with them through all the changes of a long life. He had a nearly new pair of skates, which his father had recently bought him. These were greatly coveted by a boy about his own age, who could not find another pair he liked so well. They would sell for the original price, but they were his pride and joy. Could he let them go ? He would not have much time to use them now. He looked at them for a few moments lovingly ; brushed away a tear or two that would come ; suppressed the others ; wrapped them up neatly as when he first received them from his father; and started out to sell them. He obtained his price without difficulty, and soon re- turned to his mother, saying, as he tossed the money into her lap, " Here, mother dear, is a little market money ; I have sold my skates." 1 8 TWENTY-SIX YEARS IN BURMAH. From that hour he felt himself a man, and all the family, especially his mother, treated him, in many respects, as such. He was no longer the pet of the household. He had furnished his mother with a " little market money." What could he do next ? Not many days after, he silently went out to seek employment, not knowing whither. As he once described his feelings to me, and probably never to another, " I felt so lonely and deso- late." His father, with whom he had been accustomed to walk those streets, and whose hand he had not yet considered himself too large to clasp, had left him. His mother had thought him " too little to work," and his brother had laughed at his suggestion that " he would do something." He had not yet learned to look to his Heavenly Father for direction. To be truthful, obedient, and kind was to his mind the fulfilling of the Law. He had heard Dr. Baldwin preach to grown up people, but he usually walked a long dis- tance to his church, and not being strong, was tired, and would lean his head upon his father's shoulder, and sleep through the sermon. He had a most profound respect for Dr. Baldwin and his grandmother; but he had never thought of their religion as being anything practical for him. But though he did not know it for his comfort, his Heavenly Father's eye was upon him, and the Father's loving heart responding to his longing desire for guidance. While standing for a moment irresolute, he thought of a '" ready-made clothing store," where his father had sometimes taken him, and he bent his steps thither. Mr. Joseph Jenkins, merchant ANCESTR Y AXD EARL Y CHILDHOOD. \ 9 tiilor, on State Street, Boston, knew his father well. When he had heard the lad's errand, he was quite ready- to give him a trial, only hesitating on account of his age and size. Could he take the place of the almost man, who would be promoted by his coming ? His duty would be to open the store in winter at six o'clock, make the fires and sweep the store, then to be ready to go out on any errand required, or " wait and tend," if needed, in the store. Mr. Jenkins suggested, that he would not expect the pay of a larger boy. " Why, Mr. Jenkins, if after trial, I cannot do what you require, you will not want me ; and, if I can, and do, why should I not be paid for it just the same as if I were larger ? " Mr. Jenkins seems to have been convinced by his logic, and there was no further objection to his making the trial. The mother gave her consent to this arrangement, though with great reluctance ; and the next morning found him at his post, as he had promised. Thus far his task was comparatively easy. The stimulus of the example of an older brother, the overflowing love for his mother and little sisters, might lead to hasty resolves and even cause a child to feel so great a sense of responsibility, that he could not sleep the first night, for fear his mother would fail to waken him early enough to take a long walk, and then open the store at six o'clock ; but will he persevere ? Will the motive be strong enough to sustain the delicate, frail boy, in the severe cold and storms of a Boston winter, and the ex- treme heat of a Boston summer, in doing the work he has undertaken ? The event proved that he had not onlv bent his little shoulders to the burden, with a 20 TWENTY-SIX YEARS IN BURMA H. will, but that the young brain had been stimulated into premature activity, from which it was never really to rest, until life's work was done. He was allowed to take the key home with him, and during the two years that he was entrusted with it, he never once forgot it. At first his mother would say, on his leaving home, " Don't forget the key, Joseph," but she soon ceased to think of it. In a short time, Mr. Jenkins began to send him to the bank with deposits, or to do other business. He not infrequently entrusted him with commissions, which legitimately belonged to others, assigning as a reason, " Joseph will be sure to be on time." Though he does not seem to have been favored, so far as work was concerned, in the store, 3 r et the influence was good. Mr. Jenkins was one of the constituent members of the Park Street Church, and a kind as well as a just man. Mrs. Jenkins became acquainted with Joseph, and sometimes brought him to her room for a cup of hot coffee, after his long walk and work in the cold store. Then, finding he had leisure often, and was fond of reading, she stipulated with him to come to her parlor and read to her of an evening, most wisely selecting the books he read ; and when he could snatch a little time to do something in arithmetic, she promised him a cent for every sum he brought her, in advance of anything he had done at school. For awhile he took the " cent a sum," as most boys of his age and circumstances would have done: he was trying to make money for others, and he did it by all honest means. But at length he began to think that Mrs. Jenkins received nothing in return for ANCESTR Y AND EARL Y CHILDHOOD. 2 I the money she gave, and that she must have only his good in view. He therefore went to her and told her that he could not take the money any longer, but would bring the sums to her just the same. Mr. Jenkins took up his slate one day, seemed pleased with what he was doing, and suggested that he should study Book-keeping a little. He put him on the right track with some few words of encouragement ; and thenceforward Joseph spent every moment of spare time in learning the way in which Mr. Jenkins kept his accounts. Thus commenced, even at that early age, that system of self-culture which after circumstances made so essential to his success. There sprung up a strong attachment between Mrs. Jenkins and " Little Binney," as she called him. An incident may not be out of place here to show how truly the boy was " the father of the man." Mrs. Jenkins had a very pretty garden, with many choice and rare plants ; and when she left for the summer, which she usually did, these often suffered from neglect or want of skill in their management. The second summer Joseph was with them, she called him to her, and showed him the selection of rare plants she had made, and proposed to leave them in his care during her absence. He hesitated to assume the responsibility, and thought a gardener would surely do better by them than he could. But she said she would leave the most minute instructions as to their treatment, and that she knew he would be faithful in obeying them. He had before expressed his sense of obligation to her ; and now he had it in his power to do her a very great favor. He at once con- 2 2 TWENTY-SIX YEARS IN BURMA H. sented, made a little book and wrote down her instruc- tions from her lips, so that he could keep them in his pocket, and never be in doubt. He has often been heard to speak of that little book as being the commencement of a habit, which he continued while he lived, of trust- ing nothing to memory. It was easy t6 carry his mem- orandum-book in his pocket ; thus relieving the memory of a burden, which after all, it might fail to carry safely. When Mrs. Jenkins returned, she found her plants as she expected in a most flourishing state. This incident helped the lad in forming a taste for the cultivation of plants, and awakened a genuine love for them, which was a source of pleasure to him, in whatever clime he found them ever after. This friendship for Mrs. Jenkins lasted while she lived. One of his first visits paid on returning from time to time to his native city, was always to her. He often said when alluding to her; "If woman only knew her power of influencing boys, her opportunities to do so would not be so frequently neglected ! " It must not be inferred from the faithful, conscien- tious manner in which he performed his duties, that he was an extra quiet and good boy, in the common acceptation of these words. He loved play, and sometimes fell into boyish difficulties by it. His father used to tell the story of his having played foot-ball in front of a store in Washington Street, which was furnished with very handsome-plate-glass windows, — handsome for those days. He kicked the ball against one of the panes and broke it. Greatly alarmed and fear- ing some severe treatment, he yet went boldly in alone, and spoke to the head of the establishment. He told ANCESTR Y AND EARL Y CHILDHOOD. 2$ him that he was playing on the street on his way from school and had broken the pane of glass accident- ally; but if he would tell him what it would cost to replace it, he would bring the money as soon as he could go home and back. He was told, and at once ran home to lay the matter before his father. His father listening to the story said, " How dare you promise the money ? You have not two dollars in the world.'" " No, but you have, and am I not your boy?" The father acknowledged the claim, walked with him, paid for the glass, and required his son to make all due apology for the trouble he had caused, and to promise not to play foot-ball on the street again; this his father told to illustrate his early recognition of the duty of paying an honest debt ; but it showed at the same time, his love for play. His grandmother used to say that "Joseph sowed a great many wild oats, but grace spared him from reaping the harvest." But what the dear grand- mother called "sowing wild oats" seems never to have gone farther than the enjoyment of a good deal of fun, mostly at home or with his most intimate friends. When about twelve years of age, he met with an irreparable loss in the sudden death of his mother. Though she never made a public profession of religion, yet she was, in all the relations of this life, most exem- plary. She was a great reader, especially of history, and Joseph was accustomed to read aloud to her, while she sewed ; and thus, while a mere child, acquired an unusual knowledge of history, and what was better, a taste for it, rather than for works of fiction. If he took up a story, and was told that it was fictitious, he would lay it 3 24 TWENTY-SIX YEARS IN BURMAH. aside at once for one of "mother's books." which were always true stories. In her was united in a remarkable degree the tender, loving mother and the strict discipli- narian. She never spake harshly or in a loud tone of voice to a child ; and it was a rule with her never to bid them twice to do a thing. It was rarely necessary to punish them, though she believed in the use of the rod, according to the orthodox creed of that day. Her household was well ordered; "a place for everything and everything in its place" w T as the motto acted upon by herself, and so fully expected of every member of the family that it seemed natural rather than enforced. The habit of order, whether inherited or acquired, was ever a prominent trait in the character of her son. At home or abroad he rarely spent a moment looking for any- thing; and if by any chance anything was mislaid, the humiliation he felt in consequence was most apparent. The loss of time occasioned by carelessness, or failure to perform a duty or meet an engagement promptly, was in himself deemed a moral delinquency. The father never desired to give the children another mother. N CHAPTER II. CONVERSION, MISSIONARY SPIRIT. I82I — 1827. T OT long after the mother's death, the dear grand- mother, already advanced in years, was persuaded to come to her son and supply as far as possible the place thus made vacant. As she was destined to exert so important an influence on the character of her grand- son, it will not be irrelevant to notice briefly the prom- inent points of her life and character. She was born in the town of Hull, Massachusetts, where in her childhood there were few educational privi- leges, and at a period, when they were not deemed necessary for girls, even in' the " Commonwealth of Mas- sachusetts." The late Rev. Henry Jackson, D. D., then a pastor in Charlestown, once asked her in the presence of the writer " where she was educated ? " The question was evidently called forth by the extent and accuracy of her historical knowledge. She replied, "If you mean to ask what institution I attended ; I can only say, that I went to school in the town of Hull, when nearly or quite seven years of age, just six weeks. In that time I learned to read easy readings and to write a little. As I had to walk a long way to school, my parents thought my at- 25 2 6 TWENTY-SIX YEARS IN BURMAH. tainments sufficient for a girl, and took me from school. As I grew older I read everything that came in my way. I read all the English classics before I was grown. I read English Grammar pretty thoroughly and learned some arithmetic, so that when I was left a widow and had need to keep my accounts I kept them. When I needed to write my first letter, I got some old letters and studied them, and practiced on mine till it was tol- erably satisfactory ; and I soon learned to correspond with those to whom I deemed it necessary to write, with a good deal of ease and pleasure. I have always found the best way for me to learn do a thing was to do it. As to history, my personal experience of so much of the history of our own country made me anxious to read all that was written ; and our early history was so identified with that of Great Britain, that the more I read, the more I wished to read. Then naturally I wished to compare the history of Great Britain with that of other countries. History seems as natural to me as my household duties. Of late years, however, I read but little except the Book. I find so much there, that I have lost my eager craving for new books. When I see ministers of the gospel getting much of their theology from other books I feel anxious. I often tell Joseph, I would rather see him more frequently at the pure fountain, and thinking less of the streams." So she told her own story. On her, Joseph lavished all the respect and love which was due from a grateful grandchild. He was her ac- knowledged favorite, yet there was little demonstration in words on either side. It was not natural to them to CONVERSION, MISSIONAR Y SPIRIT. 2 J speak much of their own emotions. It has already been mentioned that his father went away from home to find employment. He did not long remain away however. Business friends were interested, and he soon returned to Boston, and as soon as practicable his boys were placed in the public schools, where they had both thorough instruction and discipline. The latter was severe, judged even by the standard of those days ; but the sons of the best families in Boston were Joseph's school-fellows, and neither he nor they would have found any relief by making complaints at home. At one time he received a very severe chastisement for a trifling of- fense which involved neither disobedience to rules nor moral turpitude, and he quietly told the master that he would not have the opportunity to repeat it. " What do you propose to do, Binney?" "I intend to obey the rules of the school strictly ; and if I find myself in danger of a flogging, I shall leave the house; and more than that, I propose to settle this affair with you when I am a man." The master made no reply, but afterwards treated him as the relation justified. But Joseph did not forget the offense ; and the purpose of settling the affair with him was cherished until his conversion, when one of the first evidences that all things had really become new to him was his unconditional forgiveness of the in- jury. The desire of revenge never returned; on the con- trary he sought an opportunity for a kindly recognition. When he had completed the usual course at the Boston Public Schools, he began to look about for a preparation for his life's work. About this time an Englishman, by the name of Adlam, established himself 3* 28 TWENTY-SIX YEARS IN BURMAH. in Boston, in the business known as the " Rule, Scale, and Rod" business. It was the first attempt to introduce the business into America, and awakened a considerable interest in business circles. Young Binney was greatly pleased with it, and his father, at his request, tried to place him in the establishment as a learner ; but there was only one condition on which he could be received. He must become an indentured apprentice, till twenty- one years of age, receiving board and clothing for services. With these conditions he gladly complied. He at once made friends with the foreman, and after working all day on the usual work of young apprentices, he worked often till a late hour at night on advanced parts. He preserved, while he lived, specimens of his first year's work, especially a pocket-rule, which he used with pride and almost affection. At about the close of his second year, Mr. Adlam thought it his duty to give up business and enter upon a course of preparation for the ministry of the gospel. This released young Binney from his. obligation. At his earnest request, his father bought out the business just as it stood, and placed him at the head of it. His friends generally thought it a doubtful experiment ; but the father trusted him with perfect confidence, and seems to have left the business entirely with him, lending him the money required, and standing responsible for his son, who was only a minor. This money he was expected to return with moderate interest as fast as he was able to do so conveniently. He was then in his seventeenth year, slight and delicate in appearance, even younger in looks than in years. But he retained all the CONVERSION, MISSIONARY SPIRIT. 29 workmen of steady habits, together with the English foreman, and he had no trouble with the former while he remained in business. He encouraged their improve- ment, and found his own interest, as well as theirs, in so doing. Even then he had the talent of securing obedi- ence without fault-finding. He had always cheerfully rendered obedience legitimately due. He now expected it from those he employed, who had till then been his as- sociates, and they understood their relations, and gov- erned themselves accordingly. He thought he had found his vocation, and was content, having no higher ambition than to excel in it. Two or three years before he commenced business he, with his brother Jonathan, was in the habit of attending the Park Street Congregational Church, being drawn there partly from the fact that his friends, Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins, were influential members of it, but chiefly from the fine singing Lowell Mason was then chorister of the church, and taught the choir. The two brothers joined the choir, and Joseph, having a fine alto voice, often sang that part alone, so long as his voice suited it. This brought him much into intercourse with the young people of the church, and he formed some lasting friendships. He was often deeply convicted of sin by the solemn truths which he sang, and for that reason ever after placed a high estimate upon the importance of that part of religious worship. Happily, we have a record from his own pen of the way by which the Lord led him to himself: " My first special feelings upon my own condition and pros- pects as a sinner, so far as I can recollect, were in Baldwin Place' 30 TWENTY-SIX YEARS IN BURMAH. Church, under a funeral discourse by Dr. Baldwin, on the death of Miss Chandler, one of his singers. From that time my mind was more or less impressed, with all the vacillations of childhood and youth, until the year 1827, when I became very deeply affected under a sermon from Dr. Griffin, in Park Street Church. The leading thought was of my character a,s a sinner. Very soon, however, I was dreadfully alarmed at my eternal prospects. For three weeks I cannot tell which most engrossed me, my char- acter or my prospects ; but my whole attention was given to the great question : " What shall I do to be saved ?" At about the close of that time, such was my anticipation of God's wrath, and my utter condemnation and abhorrence of myself, that it seemed to me impossible for a holy God ever to receive me into his favor. But I resolved, whether he ever forgave my past sins or not, to forsake whatever I thought offensive to him and die pleading for his blessing. The last of three nights in which I feared to sleep a moment, I sat reading in the Gospel of John the representa- tion of Christ's love, and everything else was forgotten. Such love in such a Being for such sinners ! I melted into tears, the first I had shed during the whole time ; and adored the rich, sovereign grace of God in providing such a Saviour for guilty men. Gradually another thought equally engrossed me. " Oh, that the heathen had this Bible!" I forgot myself. I bowed down and pleaded with God to send the tidings of this love to the perishing heathen. After spending some time in this way I retired to bed in per- fect peace, not because I thought myself pardoned or regenerated, but I felt assured that God, who had given such a Saviour for man and furnished him with such a revelation of his will, could not do wrong. I could not murmur against his will, and was sat- isfied that he should do with me as he thought best. Whatever dis- posal he might make of me, I could not help loving him. I wished to see his people and talk with them of this love, and tell them of my earnest desire that the heathen should know this God and his revealed word. When I awoke from a little refreshing sleep the first thought was, "Am I a Christian ?" I thought I must be. I loved God CONVERSION, MISSIONARY SPIRIT. 3 I and his dear Son ; and the Bible said, "the natural heart is en- mity against God." About a month after my conversion, I became a member of Park Street Church, and about the same time commenced a course of education with the design of becoming a Foreign Mis- sionary. When I commenced my Christian course I resolved never to ask what I preferred, or I felt, but what God com- manded, and his will should control my steps. A letter from Peter Hobart, Esq., of Boston, an intimate friend of his youth, and whose heart the Lord touched about the same time, says : " I well remem- ber that his experience was very clear, and he had a strong assurance. Even his convictions of sin were of a positive kind, and he searched the Bible diligently to see if the doctrines he heard at ' Brimstone Corner,' as Park Street Church was very much called at that time, were really true." "So," says Mr. Hobart, "we would turn it over and over, he often saying, 'We can't alter it, Hobart; we can't alter it.' " When his mind was decided to enter upon a course of study, it was necessary for him to give up business. He told his pastor, Edward Beecher, D. D., of his de- sires and purposes. He thought if he sold out his business, he should be able to pay his father the money he had loaned him, and have enough left for a moderate education. He did not expect to preach at home, where, if souls were lost, it was not from necessary ig- norance of the way of salvation ; and he supposed it would not take a long course to prepare him to tell the simple story of the Cross to those who had never heard it. He was persuaded, however, that even to become a foreign missionary it would be better to take a thorough 32 TWENTY-SIX YEARS IN BURMAH. course of study; that he could do better without it at home than abroad; and that a knowledge of the ori- ginal languages, for a translator or a critical teacher, would be essential. A superficial education was no part of the creed of the Congregational ministry of that day. As will, perhaps, have been anticipated, he had en- tered on a course involving much personal sacrifice. The bright anticipation of one day becoming a rich man, and taking his place among the respected business men of Boston had suddenly vanished. This he was prepared to give up. His friend, Mr. Hobart, says, "he was doing a good business, and men were surprised that he should abandon it for any higher calling." But his desires as well as his purposes were changed. For himself the task was easy ; but how should he break it to his father? Would he consent ? However, he knew nothing would be gained by delay, and he had no time to lose. It was as he anticipated. His father had "no sympathy with the wild project" — the giving up of a prosperous business rapidly increasing. It was no longer an experiment, and his future was as certain as any earthly event could be. Was his son entirely in his right mind ? He had been under great religious ex- citement. The terrible preaching at Park Street had frightened him — had unbalanced his mind. He must have rest and a little time. Even the grandmother, whose heart was overflowing with gratitude and joy at the marvelous change, still advised that he should wait a little, and decide deliber- ately ; not understanding that he had settled the ques- COXFEXSIOX. MISSIOXAR Y SPIRIT. 3 \ tion with the Lord, even before he had dared to hope for himself. He had early been led to recognize his Saviour in his kingly office, and he did not fail in his allegiance. The father very soon began to consider carefully the rights of conscience, and came to acqui- esce in his son's purpose ; he took the business from him, giving him all he had legitimately made, and thus put his mind at rest on that point. Thus the Lord cared for him and opened the way, step by step, as he needed to go forward. He had kind, sympathizing friends and counsellors. His pastor advised him to apply to the American Education Society for help. The Rev. Dr. Cornelius, Secretary of the Society, entered into his plans with an almost paternal interest ; and advised him to take a thorough course of study ; to save the funds he had, for special emergencies, and to receive aid from the Society for present need. He went at once to Mun- son Academy, a strictly denominational Institution, but one of the best of the kind then in New England. He entered upon the usual preparatory course for admis- sion to Yale College, New Haven. He found that his thorough elementary course in the Boston schools and his business education enabled him to apply himself ex- clusively to the legitimate studies of the preparatory course, so that he was prepared to enter Yale one year in advance. His health, however, had become a good deal impaired, and he was advised not to do so. During the two years that he was in the Academy, he had applied himself to study too closely, allowing him- self no recreation, or even social intercourse with the citizens. He denied himself this great luxury, as he 34 TWENTY-SIX YEARS IN BURMAH. deemed it, conscientiously, supposing it would hinder his preparation for the great work before him. He was known, in the town of Munson, only in connection with religious meetings and the Sunday-school. He was also exceedingly frugal in his expenses. Destined to become, as he considered himself, a Foreign Missionary, he did not expect to be able to repay the Society which was aiding him, and he was anxious to spend as little as possible. He thought, in later years, that he carried both these points too far, as he physically suffered in consequence. He had become comparatively robust while in business, but he did not bear study so well. When he entered Yale College, if some judicious friend had advised him to rest from study for an entire year instead, he probably would have been able to complete the course; but entering as soon as he left Munson, he pursued his studies with the same earnestness. " This one thing I do," was still his motto. When he entered College, as was customary, the fur- niture in the rooms of the class graduating was put up at auction and bought by the class entering. A bed was so to be disposed of, and was facetiously recom- mended to Mr. Binney as " though two of his name had owned it, yet it seemed not to have been slept on." W 7 hen he left, and it was sold again, the same recom- mendation was given, that the bed had not been slept on. He certainly did not use it enough. He was in College but little more than a year. The long vacation was spent at home, but he did not rest, and soon broke down. Though in College for so brief a time, his disci- pline of mind and thorough preparation for it, was CON I 'ERS/OX, MISSIONAR Y SPIRIT. 3 5 unusual. A distinguished educator, who in after years was in the habit of reading Greek with him, has re- peatedly said that Mr. Binney was a better Greek scholar than he was when he graduated from one of the best Colleges, and better than most of the young men who had come under his instruction in our Theological Seminary. CHAPTER III.' CHANGE OF VIEWS ON BAPTISM. I8 3 0. IN speaking of Mr. Binney's change of views on the subject of Baptism, it will be necessary to return a little in our history. While in Munson Academy, he was in the habit of walking among the surrounding hills and groves for the purpose of retirement. On one such occasion, Bible in hand, the thought came home to him forcibly, that he never had been "buried with Christ in baptism." He was greatly distressed, for a time, at his obvious neglect to obey what seemed to him from the word of God, so plainly the duty of all. believers. But he finally resolved, as he was then studying Greek, to wait till he was more capable of forming an independent judgment as to the meaning, in all its shades, of the word transferred — not translated — to our English Bibles. But his mind was not at ease. He was a member of a debating club, and he was ap- pointed to prove the duty of Christian parents to con- secrate their children to the Lord in baptism. He made so bad work of it, that his opponent was quite dis- gusted, and declared his "foeman not worthy of his steel." He scarcely deigned a reply. Mr. Binney was 36 CHANGE OF VIEWS ON BAPTISM. 37 obliged to admit, that he "found nothing in the Bible for it, and hesitated to bring forward arguments that would suit Romanists as well." But he remained unde- cided, until, during the vacation, after his first year at Yale, he read Mrs. Judson's Memoir, by Dr. Knowles. His purpose of becoming a Foreign Missionary was not weakened, and he was greatly affected by Dr. Judson's prompt action, involving so great a trial, under the pe- culiar circumstances. He felt that he had no right to defer a decision longer. He studied the New Testa- ment, both in Greek and English, and no longer doubted or hesitated. He told his pastor, of his change of views and purpose, but was not encouraged to " hasty action." The pastor "had once been troubled in the same way, but after deliberate examination, had become satisfied." He promised to wait again. The same record, from which quotations have been made, says, " I earnestly wished to remain where I was. I most sin- cerely loved my brethren, as I had reason to do; and it was exceedingly difficult for me to leave them, especial- ly to grieve them. I therefore did my best, in reading about twenty different Pedobaptist authors, to satisfy my conscience, but in vain. The Bible required me to be baptized, and in the fall of 1830 I was dismissed by the Church in Yale College to the Baptist Church in East Cambridge, and baptized by the Rev. J. E. Wes- ton, pastor, where I was soon after licensed to preach the gospel." In private conversation, he has been heard to give a more graphic account of what, in substance, he has thus recorded. He shut himself in a room which he had 38 TWENTY-SIX YEARS IN BURMAH. appropriated when at home for his study, a room in the attic, quite away from all interruption, and read and pondered. He had little leisure or desire either for eating or sleeping. His grandmother remonstrated, be- cause he had come home to rest, and was applying himself as closely to study as ever. He gave no expla- nation; but after a time, she found a key that would open the door, and when he was out, she entered his room and learned the subject which had so engrossed him. On his return, as he was passing her room, she met him on the stairs, and told him what she had done, and the discovery she had made. " Now," said she, "Joseph, what do you think you are doing? Are you seeking to learn what the Lord will have you to do, or trying to satisfy your troubled con- science, and have your own way too? If you think you are trying to know his will, you are certainly deceiving yourself. If you wish to know the Lord's will, why not go to his word to learn it, instead of reading all that men say about it?" " Why, grandmother, I want to settle this question once for all now. I do not wish to have my mind dis- turbed by these arguments afterwards. What wiser course could I pursue?" " I would have you lay all those books aside, and by prayer and confession bring your mind so into subjec- tion, that if the Spirit, by the use of the word, shows you your duty, you will be ready to do it. They that will do his will shall know of the doctrine. Then take your New Testament — Greek, if you prefer, though the English will do, — and use your own common sense on CHANGE OF VIEWS ON BAPTISM. 39 so plain a matter. Then, after you have obeyed his command, if you deem it necessary, as a guide to others, to be able to meet and refute the words of men with a 'thus saith the Lord,' perhaps it would be well to read some of their leading authors." This was all the advice he got from the Baptist side. He saw how the case stood ; he was indeed deceiving himself; the Bible had been a plain book to him for a long time ; he had almost no acquaintance among the Baptists. He went, however, to Mr. Weston, father of the Rev. H. G. Weston, D. D., President of Crozer Theo- logical Seminary at Upland, Pennsylvania, pastor of the Baptist Church at East Cambridge, Massachusetts, where his father then resided, told him who he was, and asked him to baptize him, which he did. He not only brought his letter from Yale College Church, but also related his " religious experience " according to the custom of the church. The following month, October, 1830, by Mr. Weston's advice, he received from the church a license to preach. He found in Mr. Weston a safe counselor and a highly valued friend, and was sorely grieved by his sudden and untimely death by drowning a few months after. He found also in Dr. Sharp, both at this time and in after years, a warm friend, who took almost a paternal interest in his welfare, and to whom he ever turned for counsel in times of doubt and trial. By his advice he abandoned most reluctantly, any fur- ther attempt to go through the course at Yale, and went to Newton Theological Seminary. But here also his health soon failed, and with the failure he gave up all hope of entering the ministry. He had a good A* 4