Chapter VI (3)

“I wish I could always feel as I did last evening, and have this
morning. At first, on hearing Moung Shwa-gnong’s story, I felt much
disheartened, and thought how pleasant it would be if we could find
some quiet resting-place on earth, where we might spend the rest of
our days together in peace, and perform the ordinary services of
religion. But I fled to Jesus, and all such thoughts soon passed away.
Life is short. Happiness consists not in outward circumstances.
Millions of Burmans are perishing. I am almost the only person on
earth who has attained their language to such a degree as to be able
to communicate the way of salvation. How great are my obligations to
spend and be spent for Christ! What a privilege to be allowed to serve
Him in such interesting circumstances, and to suffer for Him! The
heavenly glory is at hand. O, let me travel through this country, and
bear testimony to the truth all the way from Rangoon to Ava, and show
the path to that glory which I am anticipating. O, if Christ will only
sanctify me and strengthen me, I feel that I can do all things. But in
myself I am absolute nothingness; and when through grace I get a
glimpse of divine things, I tremble lest the next moment will snatch
it quite away.

“Let us pray especially for one another’s growth in grace. Let me pray
that the trials which we respectively are called to endure may wean us
from the world, and rivet our hearts on things above. Soon we shall be
in heaven. O, let us live as we shall then wish we had done. Let us be
humble, unaspiring, indifferent equally to worldly comfort and the
applause of men, absorbed in Christ, the uncreated Fountain of all
excellence and glory.”

Even while on the journey to her dear native land, Mrs. Judson cast “a longing, lingering look behind.” It was hard to leave Rangoon, even to go to America. In a letter to Dr. Baldwin, dated Calcutta, December 8, 1821, she writes:

“I left Rangoon last August, and arrived in Calcutta on the
twenty-second of September. My disorder gained ground so rapidly, that
nothing but a voyage at sea, and the benefit of a cold climate,
presented the least hope of life. You will readily imagine that
nothing but the prospect of a final separation would have induced us
to decide on this measure, under circumstances so trying as those in
which we were placed. But duty to God, to ourselves, to the Board of
Missions, and to the perishing Burmans, compelled us to adopt this
course of procedure, though agonizing _to all the natural feelings_ of
our hearts. On my arrival in Calcutta, inquiries were immediately made
relative to a voyage to America. But, to my great disappointment, I
found most of the American captains far from being disposed to take
passengers, on account of having their cargoes engaged to the extent
of the tonnage of their vessels. One captain, however, offered to give
me a passage for fifteen hundred rupees, but I could not think of
causing the Board so great an expense. In mentioning my circumstances
to Mrs. Thomason, (lady of the Rev. Mr. Thomason, chaplain,) she
suggested the advantages of a voyage to England, on account of the
superior accommodations, medical advice, and female passengers in
English ships. The pious captain of a ship bound to England was then
residing in her family; with him she consulted, and they made
arrangements for my passage for five hundred rupees, provided I went
in a cabin with three children, who were going to England. As my only
object in going to sea is restoration of health, I did not hesitate to
secure a passage, though I should have rejoiced (since I must take a
long voyage) to have gone direct to America. The father of the
children has since arrived in Calcutta, and has very kindly offered to
pay the whole price of the cabin (which is four thousand rupees),
which will enable me to go to England, free of expense to the Board.
If the pain in my side is entirely removed while on my passage to
Europe, I shall return to India in the same ship, and proceed
immediately to Rangoon. But if not, I shall go over to America, and
spend one winter in my dear native country. As ardently as I long to
see my beloved friends in America, I can not prevail on myself to be
any longer from Rangoon than is absolutely necessary for the
preservation of my life. I have had a severe struggle relative to my
_immediate_ return to Rangoon, instead of going to England. But I did
not venture to go contrary to the convictions of reason, to the
opinion of an eminent and skilful physician, and the repeated
injunctions of Mr. Judson.”

Mrs. Judson was heartily welcomed by the Christians of England, and was entertained at the house of Mr. Butterworth, a member of Parliament, who, afterward referring to her in a public address, said that her visit at his house reminded him of the words of Scripture: “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

She arrived in America Sept. 25, 1822, and remained until the 22d of June, 1823. Her visit in this country awakened great missionary enthusiasm, and on her return she was accompanied by the two newly-appointed missionaries, Mr. and Mrs. Wade. She reached Rangoon on the 5th of December, 1823, after an absence of about two years and three months.

She is thus described by Dr. Wayland, who formed a personal acquaintance with her during her visit in the United States:

“I do not remember ever to have met a more remarkable woman. To great
clearness of intellect, large powers of comprehension, and intuitive
female sagacity, ripened by the constant necessity of independent
action, she added that heroic disinterestedness which naturally loses
all consciousness of self in the prosecution of a great object. These
elements, however, were all held in reserve and were hidden from
public view by a veil of unusual feminine delicacy. To an ordinary
observer, she would have appeared simply a self-possessed, well-bred,
and very intelligent gentlewoman. A more intimate acquaintance would
soon discover her to be a person of profound religious feeling, which
was ever manifesting itself in efforts to impress upon others the
importance of personal piety. The resources of her nature were never
unfolded until some occasion occurred which demanded delicate tact,
unflinching courage, and a power of resolute endurance even unto
death. When I saw her, her complexion bore that sallow hue which
commonly follows residence in the East Indies. Her countenance at
first seemed, when in repose, deficient in expression. As she found
herself among friends who were interested in the Burman mission, her
reserve melted away, her eye kindled, every feature was lighted up
with enthusiasm, and she was everywhere acknowledged to be one of the
most fascinating of women.”

After Mrs. Judson’s departure, Mr. Judson was left alone in Rangoon for nearly four months, and continued his labors in complete solitude. On December 13, 1821, the Rev. Jonathan Price, M.D., a medical missionary, arrived with his family, and joined the mission. About a month later Mr. Hough and his family returned from Calcutta. On the 2d of May, 1822, Mrs. Price died, after having been in the country only five months, and was buried by the side of Mr. Judson’s little Roger. Dr. Price’s medical skill, especially shown in performing operations for cataracts, attracted the attention of the Burman emperor at Ava. He was summoned to appear at the royal court, and Mr. Judson thought it best to accompany him, hoping that now the king’s favor might be secured in behalf of the new religion, and that he might even be permitted to plant a mission in the capital city. So on August 28, 1822, Mr. Judson set out on his second journey to Ava, this time in the company of Dr. Price, and at the expense of the Government. In the meantime, the number of the native church membership in Rangoon had grown from ten to eighteen. His visit to Ava, and return to Rangoon, are thus described in his journal:

“After much tedious detention, resulting from our connection with
Government, we reached Ava on the 27th of September. We were
immediately introduced to the king, who received brother Price very
graciously, and made many inquiries about his medical skill, but took
no notice of me, except as interpreter. The a-twen-woon Moung Zah,
however, immediately recognized me, made a few inquiries about my
welfare, in presence of the king, and, after his majesty had
withdrawn, conversed a little on religious subjects, and gave me some
private encouragement to remain at the capital.

“_October 1._ To-day the king noticed me for the first time, though I
have appeared before him nearly every day since our arrival. After
making some inquiries, as usual, about brother Price, he added, ‘And
you in black, what are you? A medical man, too?’ ‘Not a medical man,
but a teacher of religion, your majesty.’ He proceeded to make a few
inquiries about my religion, and then put the alarming question
whether any had embraced it. I evaded, by saying, ‘Not here.’ He
persisted. ‘Are there any in Rangoon?’ ‘There are a few.’ ‘Are they
foreigners?’ I trembled for the consequences of an answer, which might
involve the little church in ruin; but the truth must be sacrificed,
or the consequences hazarded, and I therefore replied, ‘There are some
foreigners and some Burmans.’ He remained silent a few moments, but
presently showed that he was not displeased, by asking a great variety
of questions on religion, and geography, and astronomy, some of which
were answered in such a satisfactory manner as to occasion a general
expression of approbation in all the court present. After his majesty
retired, a than-dau-sen (a royal secretary) entered into conversation,
and allowed me to expatiate on several topics of the Christian
religion, in my usual way. And all this took place in the hearing of
the very man, now an a-twen-woon, who, many years ago, caused his
uncle to be tortured almost to death under the iron mall for
renouncing Buddhism and embracing the Roman Catholic religion; but I
knew it not at the time, though, from his age, a slight suspicion of
the truth passed across my mind. Thanks to God for the encouragement
of this day! The monarch of the empire has distinctly understood that
some of his subjects have embraced the Christian religion, and his
wrath has been restrained. Let us then hope that, as he becomes more
acquainted with the excellence of the religion, he will be more and
more willing that his subjects should embrace it.

“_October 3._ Left the boat, and moved into the house ordered to be
erected for us by the king. A mere temporary shed, however, it proves
to be, scarcely sufficient to screen us from the gaze of people
without or from the rain above. It is situated near the present
palace, and joins the enclosure of Prince M., eldest half brother of
the king.

“_October 4._ On our return from the palace, whither we go every
morning after breakfast, Prince M. sent for me. I had seen him once
before, in company with brother Price, whom he called for medical
advice. To-day he wished to converse on science and religion. He is a
fine young man of twenty-eight, but greatly disfigured by a paralytic
affection of the arms and legs. Being cut off from the usual sources
of amusement, and having associated a little with the Portuguese
padres who have lived at Ava, he has acquired a strong taste for
foreign science. My communications interested him very much, and I
found it difficult to get away.

“_October 21._ Visited the a-twen-woon Moung Zah, and had a long
conversation on the religion and customs of foreigners, in which I
endeavored to communicate as much as possible of the Gospel. Upon the
whole, he appeared to be rather favorably disposed, and, on my taking
leave, invited me respectfully to visit him occasionally. Thence I
proceeded to the palace, but met with nothing noticeable, and thence
to the house of Prince M., with whom I had an hour’s uninterrupted
conversation. But I am sorry to find that he is rather amused with the
information I give him, than disposed to consider it a matter of
personal concern. I presented him with a tract, which he received as a
favor; and finally I ventured to ask him whether Burman subjects who
should consider and embrace the Christian religion would be liable to
persecution. He replied, ‘Not under the reign of my brother. He has a
good heart, and wishes all to believe and worship as they please.’

“_October 23._ Had some pleasant conversation with Moung Zah in the
palace, partly in the hearing of the king. At length his majesty came
forward, and honored me with some personal notice for the second time,
inquired much about my country, and authorized me to invite American
ships to his dominions, assuring them of protection, and offering
every facility for the purposes of trade.

“_October 24._ Visited Moung Zah at his house. He treated me with
great reserve, and repelled all attempts at conversation. Afterward
called on Prince M., and spent a long time with him and the officers
in waiting. The whole tract was read before them by one of the
secretaries. In the afternoon, went out of town to visit Moung
Shwa-thah, former viceroy of Rangoon. During our absence, Prince M.
sent to our house to call me, saying that a learned pundit was in
attendance with whom he wished to hear me converse.

“_October 26._ While I lay ill some days ago, a young man, brother of
an officer of Prince M., visited me, and listened to a considerable
exposition of Gospel truth. Since then he has occasionally called, and
manifested a desire to hear and know more. This evening he came to
attend our evening worship, and remained conversing till nine o’clock.
I hope that light is dawning on his mind. He desires to know the
truth, appears to be, in some degree, sensible of his sins, and has
some slight apprehension of the love and grace of the Lord Jesus
Christ.

“_October 28._ Spent the forenoon with Prince M. He obtained, for the
first time (though I have explained it to him many times), some view
of the nature of the atonement, and cried out, ‘Good, good!’ He then
proposed a number of objections, which I removed to his apparent
satisfaction. Our subsequent conversation turned, as usual, on points
of geography and astronomy. He candidly acknowledged that he could not
resist my arguments in favor of the Copernican system, and that, if he
admitted them, he must also admit that the Buddhist system was
overthrown. In the afternoon, visited Prince T. A hopeless case.

“_October 29._ Made an introductory visit to the Great Prince, so
called by way of eminence, being the only brother of the queen, and
sustaining the rank of chief a-twen-woon. Have frequently met him at
the palace, where he has treated me rather uncourteously; and my
reception to-day was such as I had too much reason to expect.

“_October 30._ Spent part of the forenoon with Prince M. and his wife,
the Princess of S., own sister of the king. Gave her a copy of Mrs.
Judson’s Burman catechism, with which she was much pleased. They both
appear to be somewhat attached to me, and say, ‘Do not return to
Rangoon, but, when your wife arrives, call her to Ava; the king will
give you a piece of ground on which to build a _kyoung_’ (a house
appropriated to the residence of sacred characters). In the evening,
they sent for me again, chiefly on account of an officer of
Government, to whom they wished to introduce me.

“_October 31._ Visited the a-twen-woon Moung K., whom I have
frequently met at the palace, who has treated me with distinguished
candor. He received me very politely, and, laying aside his official
dignity, entered into a most spirited dispute on various points of
religion. He pretended to maintain his ground without the shadow of
doubt; but I am inclined to think that he has serious doubts. We
parted in a very friendly manner, and he invited me to visit him
occasionally.

“_November 12._ Spent the whole forenoon with Prince M. and his wife.
Made a fuller disclosure than ever before of the nature of the
Christian religion, the object of Christians in sending me to this
country, my former repulse at court and the reason of it, our exposure
to persecution in Rangoon, the affair of Moung Shwa-gnong, etc., etc.
They entered into my views and feelings with considerable interest;
but both said, decidedly, that, though the king would not himself
persecute any one on account of religion, he would not give any order
exempting from persecution, but would leave his subjects, throughout
the empire, to the regular administration of the local authorities.

“After giving the prince a succinct account of my religious
experience, I ventured to warn him of his danger, and urged him to
make the Christian religion his immediate personal concern. He
appeared, for a moment, to feel the force of what I said, but soon
replied, ‘I am yet young—only twenty-eight. I am desirous of studying
all the foreign arts and sciences. My mind will then be enlarged, and
I shall be capable of judging whether the Christian religion be true
or not.’ ‘But suppose your highness changes worlds in the meantime?’
His countenance again fell. ‘It is true,’ said he, ‘I know not when I
shall die.’ I suggested that it would be well to pray to God for
light, which, if obtained, would enable him at once to distinguish
between truth and falsehood; and so we parted. O Fountain of Light,
shed down one ray into the mind of this amiable prince, that he may
become a patron of Thine infant cause, and inherit an eternal crown.

“_November 14._ Another interview with Prince M. He seemed, at one
time, almost ready to give up the religion of Gaudama, and listened
with much eagerness and pleasure to the evidences of the Christian
religion. But presently two Burman teachers came in, with whom he
immediately joined, and contradicted all I said.

“_November 18._ Visited the Princess of T., at her particular request.
She is the eldest own sister of the king, and therefore, according to
Burman laws, consigned to perpetual celibacy. She had heard of me from
her brother-in-law, Prince M., and wished to converse on science and
religion. Her chief officer and the mayor of the city were present;
and we carried on a desultory conversation, such as necessarily takes
place on the first interview. Her highness treated me with uncommon
affability and respect, and invited me to call frequently.

“_November 26._ Have been confined since the 21st with a third attack
of the fever and ague. To-day went to the palace, and presented a
petition for a certain piece of ground within the walls of the town,
‘to build a _kyoung_ on.’ The king granted it, on condition that the
ground should be found unoccupied.

“_November 28._ Spent the whole day at the palace, in
endeavoring to secure the ground petitioned for. At night, the
land-measurer-general’s secretary accompanied me to ascertain
the premises, and make out a plan of the place.

“_November 29._ The land-measurer-general reported to the a-twen-woons
that the ground was not actually occupied, but, having been the site
of a _kyoung_ when formerly the city was the seat of Government, must
be considered sacred and inalienable; in which opinion nearly all the
a-twen-woons coincided, notwithstanding the king’s decision to the
contrary.

“Had an interesting interview with Prince M., and presented him with a
copy of the last three chapters of Matthew, in compliance with his
wish to have an account of the death and resurrection of Jesus-Christ.
He appeared concerned for our failure to-day in the privy council, but
still maintained that, though the ground was sacred, it might with
propriety be given to a priest, though not a priest of Gaudama, and
advised me to make another application to the king.

“_December 25._ I have had nothing scarcely of a missionary nature to
notice since the last date, having been employed, most of the time
(that is, in the intervals of two more attacks of fever and ague), in
endeavoring to procure a piece of ground within the city, but have
been defeated at every point.

“In prosecuting this business, I had one noticeable interview with the
king. Brother Price and two English gentlemen were present. The king
appeared to be attracted by our number, and came toward us; but his
conversation was directed chiefly to me. He again inquired about the
Burmans who had embraced my religion. ‘Are they real Burmans? Do they
dress like other Burmans?’ etc. I had occasion to remark that I
preached every Sunday. ‘What! in Burman?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Let us hear how you
preach.’ I hesitated. An a-twen-woon repeated the order. I began with
a form of worship which first ascribes glory to God, and then declares
the commands of the law of the Gospel; after which I stopped. ‘Go on,’
said another a-twen-woon. The whole court was profoundly silent. I
proceeded with a few sentences, declarative of the perfections of God,
when his majesty’s curiosity was satisfied, and he interrupted me. In
the course of subsequent conversation, he asked what I had to say of
Gaudama. I replied, that we all knew he was the son of King
Thog-dan-dah-nah; that we regarded him as a wise man and a great
teacher, but did not call him God. ‘That is right,’ said Moung K. N.,
an a-twen-woon who has not hitherto appeared very friendly to me. And
he proceeded to relate the substance of a long communication which I
lately made to him, in the privy council room, about God and Christ,
etc. And this he did in a very clear and satisfactory manner, so that
I had scarcely a single correction to make in his statement. Moung
Zah, encouraged by all this, really began to take the side of God
before his majesty, and said, ‘Nearly all the world, your majesty,
believe in an eternal God, all, except Burmah and Siam, these little
spots!’ His majesty remained silent, and after some other desultory
inquiries, he abruptly arose, and retired.

“_January 2, 1823._ To-day I informed the king that it was my
intention to return to Rangoon. ‘Will you proceed thence to your own
country?’ ‘Only to Rangoon.’ His majesty gave an acquiescing nod. The
a-twen-woon Moung Zah inquired, ‘Will you both go, or will the doctor
remain?’ I said that he would remain. Brother Price made some remark
on the approaching hot season, and the inconvenience of our present
situation; on which Moung Zah, inferring that it was on account of the
climate that I was about leaving, turned to me, saying, ‘Then you will
return here, after the hot season.’ I looked at the king, and said
that if it was convenient, I would return; which his majesty again
sanctioned by an acquiescing nod and smile, and in reply to brother
Price, said, ‘Let a place be given him.’ Brother Price, however,
thinks of retaining the small place on which we now live for medical
purposes, and getting a place at Chagaing, on the opposite side of the
river, for his permanent residence.

“In the evening had a long conversation with Moung Zah on religion. He
believes that there is an eternal God, and that Gaudama, and Christ,
and Mahomet, and others are great teachers, who communicated as much
truth respectively as they could, but that their communications are
not the word of God. I pressed my arguments as far as I dared; but he
seemed to have reflected much on the subject, and to have become quite
settled and inflexible in his conclusions. He may be called a deistic
Buddhist, the first that I have met in the country. On parting,
however, he remarked, ‘This is a deep and difficult subject. Do you,
teacher, consider further, and I also will consider.’

“_January 7._ Among the many places which I endeavored in vain to
procure was a small one, sufficient for one family only, pleasantly
situated on the banks of the river, just without the walls of the
town, and about a mile from the palace. But it had been appropriated
by the chief woon-gyee, and partly fenced in, with the intention of
building a temporary zayat for his recreation and refreshment, when
accompanying the king in that quarter of the city, and was, therefore,
placed beyond any reasonable hope of attainment. Among other desperate
attempts, however, I wrote a short petition, asking for that place,
and begging leave to express my gratitude, by presenting a certain sum
of money. It was necessary to put this into his own hand; and I was,
therefore, obliged to follow him about, and watch his movements, for
two or three days, until a favorable opportunity occurred, when he was
apart from all his retinue. I seized the moment, presented myself
before him, and held up the paper. He read it, and smiled. ‘You are
indefatigable in your search after a place. But you can not have that.
It is for my own use. Nor, if otherwise, could you get it for money.
Search further.’ I now concluded to return to Rangoon for the present,
and wait until the town should be settled, when, as all inform me, I
shall be able to accommodate myself better. I accordingly informed the
king of my purpose, as mentioned above, and began to look about for a
boat. In the meantime, it occurred to me to make a ‘seventh attempt to
fix the thread,’ and I sought another interview with the chief
woon-gyee, a being who is really more difficult of access than the
king himself. This evening I was so fortunate as to find him at his
house, lying down, surrounded by forty or fifty of his people. I
pressed forward into the foremost rank, and placed myself in a proper
attitude. After a while, his eye fell upon me, and I held up a small
bottle of _eau de luce_, and desired to present it. One of his
officers carried it to him. He happened to be much pleased with it,
and sat upright. ‘What kind of a house do you intend to build?’ I told
him, but added, ‘I have no place to build on, my lord.’ He remained in
a meditating attitude a few moments, and then suddenly replied, ‘_If
you want the little enclosure, take it!_’ I expressed my gratitude. He
began to take more notice of me, inquired about my character and
profession, and then entered, with considerable spirit, on the subject
of religion. After some conversation, he desired a specimen of my mode
of worship and preaching; and I was obliged to repeat much more than I
did before the king; for whenever I desisted, he ordered me to go on.
When his curiosity was satisfied, he lay down, and I quietly retired.

“_January 8._ After taking the best advice, Burman and foreign, I
weighed out the sum of money mentioned in the private petition,
together with the estimated expense of fencing the place given me by
the woon-gyee, and in the evening carried it to his house, where I was
again fortunate in finding him in the same position as yesterday
evening. A few noblemen and their attendants were present, which
prevented me from immediately producing the money. His excellency soon
took notice of me, and from seven o’clock till nine, the time was
chiefly occupied in conversation on religious subjects. I found
opportunity to bring forward some of my favorite arguments, one of
which, in particular, seemed to carry conviction to the minds of all
present, and extorted from the great man an expression of praise; such
praise, however, as is indicative of surprise rather than approbation.
When the company retired, my people at the outer door overheard one
say to another, ‘Is it not pleasant to hear this foreign teacher
converse on religion?’ ‘Ay,’ said the other, ‘but his doctrines are
derogatory to the honor of Lord Gaudama.’ When they were gone, I
presented the money, saying that I wished to defray the expense of
fencing the ground, which had been graciously given me. His excellency
was pleased with the offer, but gently declined accepting anything. He
then looked steadily at me, as if to penetrate into the motives of my
conduct, and recollecting the manœuvres of the first English settlers
in Bengal, thought he had discovered something. ‘Understand, teacher,
that we do not give you the entire owning of this ground. We take no
recompense, _lest it become American territory_. We give it to you for
your present residence only, and, when you go away, shall take it
again.’ ‘When I go away, my lord, those at whose expense the house is
to be built, will desire to place another teacher in my stead.’ ‘Very
well, let him also occupy the place; but when he dies, or when there
is no teacher, we will take it.’ ‘In that case, my lord, take it.’

“_January 10._ Spent the whole of yesterday and to-day with various
secretaries and officers of Government in getting actual possession of
the ground given me.

“_January 13._ Built a small house, and stationed one of the disciples
and family to keep the place during my absence.

“_January 18._ Removed to Chagaing, into a house which Prince M. has
allowed brother Price to build on his ground, in expectation that a
change of air and residence would relieve me from the fever and ague,
under which I suffer nearly every other day. It is my intention,
however, to return immediately to Rangoon, the time being nearly
expired which I at first proposed to spend in Ava, and the ends for
which I came up being sufficiently gained.

“_January 22._ Took leave of Prince M. He desired me to return soon,
and bring with me all the Christian Scriptures, and translate them
into Burman. ‘For,’ said he, ‘I wish to read them all.’

“_January 24._ Went to take leave of the king, in company with Mr. L.,
collector of the port of Rangoon, who arrived last evening. We sat a
few moments conversing together. ‘What are you talking about?’ said
his majesty. ‘He is speaking of his return to Rangoon,’ replied Mr. L.
‘What does he return for? Let him not return. Let them both [that is,
brother Price and myself] stay together. If one goes away, the other
must remain alone, and will be unhappy.’ ‘He wishes to go for a short
time only,’ replied Mr. L., ‘to bring his wife, the female teacher,
and his goods, not having brought anything with him this time; and he
will return soon.’ His majesty looked at me. ‘Will you, then, come
again?’ I replied in the affirmative. ‘When you come again, is it your
intention to remain permanently, or will you go back and forth, as
foreigners commonly do?’ ‘When I come again, it is my intention to
remain permanently.’ ‘Very well,’ said his majesty, and withdrew into
his inner apartment.

“Heard to-day of the death of Mah Myat-lah, sister of Mah Men-la, one
of the most steadfast of the church in Rangoon.

“_January 25._ Embarked on a small boat, intending to go day and
night, and touch nowhere, in order to avoid the robbers, of which we
have lately had alarming accounts.

“_February 2. Lord’s day._ At one o’clock in the morning reached
Rangoon, seven days from Ava.

“A letter from Mrs. Judson, in England, informs me that she is going
to America, and will not be here under several months. I propose,
therefore, waiting her return, and occupying the interval in finishing
the translation of the New Testament.”

The way now seemed open to establish a mission in Ava. Mr. Judson always longed to go into the “regions beyond.” The Houghs and the Wades could sufficiently care for the infant church at Rangoon. Why not plant a church in the heart of the empire, under the shelter of the throne? A letter to Dr. Baldwin discloses this daring purpose:

“RANGOON, _February_ 11, 1823.

“REV. AND DEAR SIR: My last to you was written just before we left
Rangoon for Ava.

“You will learn from my journal, forwarded herewith to the
Corresponding Secretary, the particulars of our visit to Ava. Suffice
it here to say that the Lord has been gracious to us beyond our
expectation. My reception, as a minister of religion, has been very
different from what it was before. A liberal and candid spirit seems
to prevail among all the members of the royal family, and among many
of the leading members of Government. It is distinctly understood by
the king, and by all who have any knowledge of me at all, that I am a
thah-tha-nah-pyoo-tsayah, that is, a religion-propagating teacher; and
yet I have been smiled on, and listened to, and, by order of the king
himself, have received from the chief public minister of state the
grant of a small piece of ground, for the express purpose of building
a _kyoung_ (a house appropriated to sacred characters). It is my
intention, therefore, to return thither as soon as Mrs. Judson
arrives, who, I hear, has gone on to America. And in the meantime, I
shall occupy myself in finishing the translation of the New
Testament—a work which I left unfinished with great reluctance, and
which I rejoice to have leisure to resume.

“During my absence, one of the best of our church members, the sister
of Mah Men-la, was called from this world to join, I trust, the church
triumphant. She died in peace and joy, professing her belief in Jesus
Christ, and saying that she should soon be with Him in heaven.

“During the whole of my residence at Ava, I was severely afflicted at
intervals with the fever and ague. I did hope that a change of climate
would effect my cure; but the disorder has followed me to Rangoon, and
I am subject to it every other day. Brother Price was apprehensive
that it would terminate fatally, having resisted every medical
application, and become so deeply rooted; and he would have
accompanied me hither, had I not dissuaded him. My only hope now is,
that it will exhaust itself before my constitution is exhausted; but
the Lord’s will be done. I could wish to live to finish the New
Testament, and I should also be happy to see a little church raised up
in Ava, as there has been in Rangoon. But the ways of God are not as
the ways of man. He does all things well. Glory be to His holy name
forevermore.”

But before going to Ava, he must await Mrs. Judson’s arrival. Ten months intervened between his return from Ava and her arrival at Rangoon. During this time he completed the translation of the New Testament into Burmese, and prepared an epitome of the Old Testament, which might serve as an introduction to the study of the New. On the 13th of December, 1823, eight days after Mrs. Judson’s arrival, he set out in company with her for Ava, where they arrived on January 23, 1824. This marked an epoch in Mr. Judson’s life. His ardent, active temperament was to be subjected to the crucible of passive endurance; and we now pass from the record of his activities to the story of his sufferings.

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Footnote 26:

See Map II.

Footnote 27:

“One of these female disciples was found at Rangoon by the
missionaries in August, 1852, having attained the age of eighty
years. From the time of her baptism until then, for thirty years,
she had maintained, in the midst of heathenism, a consistent
Christian profession. She remembered well Mr. Judson and ‘the Mamma’
Judson, and was in daily expectation of meeting them again in
heaven.”