BURMAN MISSION.

EXTRACTS FROM MR. WADE'S JOURNAL.

Rev. and dear Sir,

June 3, 1830. We are now trying to preach Christ simply without refering to the Burman system at all. Hitherto we have thought it necessary to combat their errors. We are still at a loss to know precisely what is the best method of preaching to the heathen.

5. More company than usual. I think more than a hundred different persons have listened; and so many begged for books that we could give only to those who live at a distance. We have written to Maulmein for a fresh supply; but I expect we shall be out before they arrive.

7. Had from thirty to forty all the forenoon, and some attentive listeners among them; had more than usual freedom in showing them the nature of sin, and the impossibility of escaping eternal misery, unless they took refuge in Christ. 1

11. Company all day. A Burman who belongs to the Roman Catholicks, after listening with the rest for some time, declared that he was a worshipper of Jesus Christ whom I preached, that he found a tract with a woman in town that contained the religion which he professed, at which he was quite surprised, and told the woman as she did not worship the eternal God, to give him the tract; but she would not, and then he bought it of her for half a rupee, and he had read every day since. had a good deal of feeling for the poor man, as he seemed to have a zeal for

God, though not according to true knowledge. I urged him to pray earnestly to God for a new heart, because without holiness no man should see the Lord. Several Burmans from a distance begged tracts. Yesterday two priests from a distance called for tracts.

16. Yesterday we had company only part of the day, but to day we had more than usual. One man asked what was the first thing to be done in order to become a disciple of Christ, and several other questions in a manner which leads us to think he has some intention of embracing this religion. The worship of idols is in itself so absurd, that one would think it would be easy to convince them of the folly of it; but it is far otherwise. They are fortified on every side; and when nothing else will do, it answers all arguments to say that it is an ancient custom.

25. Have employed every leisure moment for a few days past in writing a tract of questions and answers, intended to embrace all the principal questions that Burmans usually ask respecting religion, and the objections which they are apt to make.

28. To day had more company than usual, being at least 50 persons assembled at a time. One whom we have for some time considered a hopeful inquirer, spoke quite boldly to day on the side of truth, before a large collection of people, but he lives at a distance, and is going off in a day or two.

July 6. Yesterday the long expected tracts arrived, and the demand for them is so great that 200 of "The View" and 100 Catechisms are gone already; and we are obliged to refuse a great many who ask for them, lest we

should be entirely out again before we can possibly get more. It seems as if the people were almost mad after them. The scriptures we are obliged to give very sparingly, as there are but a few copies in print. The people who come for books are from all parts of the

country.

7. As great a demand to day for tracts as yesterday. One priest who had received Matthew sometime ago sent it back to-day saying he had copied it, and begged we would give

him another volume.

12. It begins to be said that government keeps a look out to see who are in the habit of coming to listen to the gospel, and though it is undoubtedly a false surmise, yet it will frighten some, and prevent them from listening to the truth; however, there does not seem to be any falling off of company, or to be any less demand for books. It grieves us to be obliged daily to send many away empty who beg importunately; because we have not wherewithal to satisfy their demands.

16. Received letters from Dr. Bolles with magazines, &c. And were exceedingly glad to hear that two missionaries more have been appointed to this land; and that others are sought after. Oh! if the need of more help in this extensive field was at all realized at home, as we realize it who are on the spot, surely many would be ready to offer themselves to the Board saying, "Here am I, send me." How great is the harvest, compared with

the number of laborers?

22. For two or three months past there has been a great influx of people from every part of the country consisting of troops lately raised, and who are called to this place to have their military equippage examined; immense numbers of these have been here for books, and if we had had a sufficient number to supply their demands, tracts would at this time have been scattered through nearly every town and village in the province. As it is, the tracts have been very widely circulated. And we frequently hear with what avidity they are read in those places that they have reached. Numbers who live several days' travel from this place, have called, and said, We have heard the fame of this religion, and are come to hear and get books. Yours affectionately,

DR. BOLLES.

J. WADE.

Extract of a letter from Mr. Wade, addressed to Mr. Handy.

"If it were not for the remains of an unsanctified heart, we should meet all the dispensations of Divine Providence with an even spirit, equally thankful

for that which crosses the desires of our natural mind, and for that which is naturally agreeable to us ;-or in other words, we should receive cross providences as we take bitter medicines, which, though unpleasant to the taste, are necessary to the preservation of These life, and restoration of health.

we take because we trust in the skill and good intentions of our physician. But how much greater reason have we to trust in the skill and merciful intentions of our blessed Saviour, who has cominended his love towards us

by giving his own life to save us from eternal death, though he makes the events of the present life bitter to our natural taste by making us pass through many afflictions!-Surely, our Saviour will not oblige us to suffer any more here, than is just sufficient to mortify our love to self and the world, to purge away our dross, and prepare our immortal spirits for the holiness and happiness of heaven. Can we not, with these views, welcome all the trials, pains and crosses of the present life, and prefer them to worldly pleasures and prosperity?

"It was no doubt this view which made the apostles and primitive saints glory in tribulation, and take joyfully the spoiling of their goods;' and this submit to voluntary poverty, reproach, also made many saints in later times, and many crosses, when they had wealth, honors, and worldly ease at their command. Oh, I feel a reverence which I cannot express for those persons who renounce wealth, honors, and all the enjoyments of the flesh for no other reason than that they may be conformed to the afflicted, cross bearviour.-I have no doubt but such souls ing, despised life of our crucified Sawill shine as stars of the first magnitude in the kingdom of our heavenly Father, forever and ever. O that I had courage and grace enough to imitate them! But, alas, I am exceedingly slow to practise what I so much admire; exceedingly backward to take those inalted state of piety, after which I covet. termediate steps which lead to that exExalted piety is a summit which cannot be attained without much steady, patient, persevering labor. I trust

The prospects seem to be more flattering than ever for the promotion of the gospel in this heathen land. When all who are engaged in the cause of the precious Redeemer, shall feel the necessity of relying on divine aid, rather than secular power, and thus place their confidence on the right object, the cause must and will prosper. But the weakness of human nature is such, that we are too apt to lean on a broken reed, even when we know it to be broken; and not put confidence in the Rock which never can be moved. I never had a view of this subject in such a light as I have seen it since I left my native land. The frailty of human life, the utter and complete emptiness of worldly things, and the joys of an upper and never ending state of bliss, I have been permitted to view through a different medium

than ever before. That our "life is as a vapour," I really believe. I used formerly to assent to the fact, and as I suppose thousands do, and never suffer myself to reflect particularly upon it, in all its length and breadth! These truths, I regard as truths, and that "without holiness no man shall see the Lord."-I trust all our dear friends at home pray for us, and also that God will hear their prayers. Yours, &c.

CEPHAS BENNETT.

TO THE TREASURER. Rutland, March 10, 1831.

Dear Sir,

I enclose ten dollars for the Burman mission, being a donation from a female friend, in this county, who was so much interested and affected with APRIL, 1821.

reading Mrs. Wade's journal and ad-` dress, that she resolved on making such retrenchments in wearing apparel as should enable her to give something for this mission.

Many of the friends of Zion were deeply affected with the same journal, having been previously excited by the life of Mrs. Judson. Our friends in these regions are much in favor of the Burman mission. And I assure you that what I have enclosed is no sinall sum for the person who has given it. With sentiments of respect and esteem, I am yours, &c.

AFRICA.

P.

Letter from Mr. Skinner, to the Corresponding Secretary. Monrovia, (Liberia) Dec. 9, 1830. Dear Sir.

We embarked from Norfolk, Oct. 20, and arrived at Monrovia, Dec. 4. We were very kindly treated by the Captain and Agent of the Colony. We had divine services on such Sabbaths as the weather admitted.

There has been something of a reformation here. Six were baptized the day after I arrived, one a daughter of the lamented Mr. Carey. Messrs. Teague and Wearing residing in Monrovia, are the pastors of the Baptist churches here. We were very hospitably received by Mr.Teague, but expect to remove our lodgings next week to Mr. Wearing's. Mr. Teague has a son who has lately become a preacher.

Careytown or New Georgia is a settlement of recaptured Africans. It wears the appearance of industry and neatness, has about thirty professors, all Baptists, a meeting-house, and an exhorter of their own number. It is a fine stand for preaching and a mission. Caldwell has more inhabitants than Monrovia, less trade and less intelligence, but is pleasantly situated along the banks of the St. Paul, and well cultivated. The Baptists are now building a meeting-house. I have not visited Millsburgh, but am informed that there are a number of Baptists there, and that they are destitute of preaching.

It is supposed that the school at Big town, near Cape Mount, might be re16

vived. Mr. Revey after teaching it twelve months left it, as he says, with much regret on both sides. They were making good improvements, and there has been of late much religious anxiety among the inhabitants.

I think this to be a wide and promising field ripe for the harvest. have arrived at a good time, and can only wish there were more laborers.

I feel grateful to that kind Providence which has brought me here safely, and should the Lord preserve my life hope to be useful. I have enjoyed myself very well, and am much pleased with the general appearance of the place; -but much, very much remains to be done for its improvement. Yours respectfully,

BENJ. R. SKINNER.

REVIVALS.

To the Editor of the Magazine. Amherst College, Feb. 21, 1831. Dear Sir,

Having felt the most delightful sensations from the frequent perusal of revivals in your columns, and wishing in this way to promote the interests of Zion, I send you a brief account of a revival during the present winter, in the north Baptist church in Ashfield, Mass. I was present at the first special movings of the Holy Spirit. The church had become more awakened and more prayerful. Two young men of good character, yet as far as any from serious things, were melted into tears, in agony for their souls' eternal interest, at an evening meeting. It seemed wholly the work of God, and marvellous in our sight.

The brethren who had longed and prayed for a revival, began then to bless God, and take courage. Many prayers were offered for thein, and some others became affected. These youth soon appeared happy in a Saviour's love. From this the heavenly work began to spread, and christians to be humbled as in the dust. Our meetings became so crowded that we were obliged to repair to the meeting-house for our evening meetings. We were led to exclaim, How dreadful is this place; it is none other than the house of God and the gate of heaven!

It has been said by those who have winessed many revivals, that they have never been in any, where there was more solemnity and utter dependance on God. About this time the writer was employed to instruct a school within the precincts of the awakening. A few of the scholars had become hopeful converts, but the greater part were vain and thoughtless. Though the teacher tried in some measure to be faithful in daily pointing them to the Lamb of God, though he had requested the few converts to tarry after school, and pray for the impenitent, and be more solemn before them, still all efforts seemed fruitless because not made in faith. No one could himself take any of the glory, but rather lamented that he was not more faithful. God seemed to delay his blessing, as if to convince of unfaithfulness, and show to every one that he does all things after the counsel of his holy will.

A few days subsequent to this, the teacher returned to resume the exercises of the afternoon. No scholars were engaged in accustomed scenes of hilarity about the house. The influence of the Spirit of God had changed the scene. He approached, and hearing the voice of prayer, walked silently into the house, where he beheld the whole school, with the exception of one or two, knelt before the seats, and one at prayer. Two or three prayers were offered, when they rose and took their seats. Fourteen soon burst in tears in great agony for their souls, and wept, most of them, for the space of an hour. What could be done! There was weeping and praising God at the same moment. Never, said those, who hoped in Christ, did they feel their own weakness as then. They felt as though the Apostle's expression less than the least of all saints" was full of meaning. They felt unable to do any thing but pray; which duty considerable of the afternoon was devoted.

to

If ever memory lingers on a scene that transpired on earth, that time, with bursting joy, methinks will be remembered on the blissful shores of immortality, when those who were witnesses, shall meet each other around the throne of God and the Lamb.

These meetings were continued during the intermission season, for some time. When the scholars did not thus meet in the house they resorted to a neighboring barn to enjoy un