REPORT.

A FAITHFUL narration of Missionary life among the Heathen-of personal sacrifices cheerfully made for the good of others—of dangers encountered and toils endured, cannot fail to interest us, and call forth our sympathy and admiration. And should the success of such devoted individuals be less apparent for a time than sanguine hope anticipated, we ought not as a consequence to withdraw our confidence from them, or doubt for a moment the ultimate success of their enterprise. When we consider the nature of the field they occupy, that it is A VAST MORAL WASTE that no former cultivators by a system of enlightened instruction, commencing with childhood and prosecuted to mature age, have prepared their minds for the reception of Christian truth-that, on the contrary, a degrading superstition hallowed by a succession of ages, broods upon and renders them nearly inaccessible to the light of revelation: When, we say, they are viewed under such circumstances, we should not be surprised that the progress of instruction and knowledge is no more rapid. The Report we now have to offer, will show an onward march in what we have undertaken, with prospects of increasing success, furnishing occasion for devout gratitude and thanksgiving to God. We will commence with a view of the

EASTERN MISSIONS.

At the date of our last annual communication, several of the missionaries were in an unsettled state, not having established themselves after the termination of the war in Burmah. Dr. Judson had indeed removed his family to Amherst, a new town near the mouth of the Martaban river, where Mrs. Judson prepared a bamboo house, and commenced arrangements for a school, but was himself necessarily absent for a few months, with the British embassy to Ava. The other Missionaries, Messrs. Wade and Boardman, had been early consulted relative to Amherst as an eligible station for them, and were resolved to occupy it. When the time for their removal from Calcutta arrived, the state of Mr. and Mrs. Boardman's health would not allow them to embark, and Mr. and Mrs. Wade sailed on the 22d of September, without them. Their passage proved long and hazardous, and they did not arrive at the place of their destination until the 23d of November. During a short stop which they made at Rangoon, they received the melancholly intelligence of the death of Mrs. Judson. This event would have excited in them at any time, pungent emotions of sorrow; but in their peculiar circumstances, it was associated with much anxiety. The station to which they were bound, and which they supposed to be already prepared, and occupied by an individual of rare qualifications, they found was vacant. It was therefore with faltering steps, as strangers imperfectly acquainted with the language of the country, they approached the place.

On landing, however, Mr. Wade was met by a native convert, whom he had known before, as a member of the church in Rangoon, of whom he says, "I scarcely ever felt greater pleasure in meeting a friend from whom I had been long separated. With him, I found another of the christians, whom I had not till then seen. They immediately gave me an account of Mrs. Judson's decease, in a manner which showed how much they loved her, and how deeply they mourned her loss." They conducted Mr. Wade to her house, which being vacant he occupied. The

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following day, two sisters of the church, came to the assistance of Mrs. Wade, when he adds, "While reciting their several histories since they were separated from us, at Rangoon, it was delightful to hear them ascribe their preservation in their wanderings, and their being brought together again, to the overruling providence of God. They said it was their prayer daily that the disciples and teachers might meet again, and God had answered their prayers, and therefore their hearts were glad." Of all those members, Mr. Wade observes, "I think they have made good progress in the knowledge of divine truth, and by their firm attachment to the Christian religion, and perseverance under so many adverse circumstances, proved themselves the real disciples of Jesus." It was not till two months after, on the 24th of January, that Dr. Judson arrived, of which event Mr. Wade thus speaks: "It is impossible to describe the mingled emotions of pleasure and pain, which the meeting produced." In a letter from the Dr. to Mrs. Hazeltine, the mother of Mrs. Judson, dated at Amherst, Feb. 4, he writes, "Amid the desolations that death has made, I take my pen to address the mother of my beloved Ann. On arriving here, Mr. Wade met me at the landing place, and as I passed on to the house, one and another of the native christians came out, and when they saw me, they began to weep. At length we reached the house, and I almost expected to see my love coming out as usual to meet me : but no. I saw only in the arms of Mrs. Wade, a puny child, that could not recognize her weeping father, and from whose infant mind had long been erased all recollection of the mother who loved her so much. turned away from me in alarm, and I, obliged to seek comfort elsewhere, found my way to the grave. But who ever obtained comfort there? Thence, I went to the house in which I left her, and I looked at the spot where we last knelt in prayer, and where we exchanged the parting salutation. I am now sitting in the room where she expired. But I will not trouble you, my dear mother, with an account of my own private feelings. The bitter, heart-rending anguish, which for some days would admit of no mitigation, and the comfort which the gospel subsequently afforded, that gospel of Jesus Christ which brings life and immortality to light-blessed assurance, let us apply it afresh to our hearts." This dark and afflicting providence, though a source of keen anguish to her bereaved husband, and of grief and disappointment to all concerned in the Mission, we have full confidence will be overruled for good. It will lead to more exclusive dependence upon God, and to more unremitted supplication for labourers to be sent forth; that the places of such as have fallen on the field may be filled, and more abundant blessings vouchsafed to the exertions of them that remain. As soon as circumstances would render it proper, after the arrival of Dr. Judson, rooms were prepared for him adjoining the small house occupied by Mr. Wade, with whose family he took up his residence; and further measures were immediately adopted for attaining in the best manner, the objects of the mission. Regular worship every Sabbath had been previously established, though conducted under disadvantages, as Mr. Wade could not speak the Burman with sufficient readiness to lead the devotions. But, animated by a spirit which should ever characterize our brethren, he assembled the people, and two of the disciples read the scriptures, expounded and prayed, with much satisfaction to the rest. In this practice they continued, until after the arrival of Dr. Judson, from which time, he regularly preached the word.

From the first, some of those who attended, tarried for private conversation; and subsequently, the number of inquirers was increased

and very sensible effects were perceived to follow the heart-searching truths exhibited. About this time Mr. Wade, in his journal observes, "Last week a young person came with her mother to converse with Dr. Judson on the subject of religion. There is reason to hope she feels real conviction for sin, and is anxious to be saved. The mother, who has long been an inquirer, and who hopes she has passed from death unto life, has requested baptism. We trust, from this and other encouragements, that there is some reason to anticipate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the ingathering of souls in this place, We feel our own minds more impressed than usual, with the importance of devoting ourselves unreservedly to the work of God among the heathen, and the cultivation of spiritual fruit in our own souls, persuaded, that ardent piety in ourselves, is one of the most direct means of success in Missionary labours." On the 20th of May following, he mentions with unaffected pleasure, that the female above referred to, was, by the unanimous voice of the church, received to baptism; and adds, "this no doubt is the first time this sacred ordinance was ever administered in these regions."

We may then consider that at Amherst, the standard is erected, the word of life proclaimed, the work of regeneration commenced, and the ordinances of the church of Christ administered.

Nor is this all that is doing at the place to rescue the rising generation from delusive idolatry, and train them up for the service and enjoyment of God. So soon as a quiet settlement was obtained, Mrs. Wade, availing herself of such assistance as the two native sisters could af ford, continued the school commenced by Mrs. Judson for female children. Of this, Mr. Wade writes as follows. "The pupils are all boarders, and their expenses of food, clothing, and tuition, are defrayed from the funds collected for that purpose, in pursuance of the plan proposed by Mrs. Judson. The number of scholars is now fourteen. These have been obtained without any direct application on our part— they came voluntarily, and in a number of instances, begged admittance as a favour, or their parents have done so for them. They learn to read and to use the needle. Dr. Judson contributes much to their religious improvement, and maintains regular prayer with them-nor are there any objections offered by their friends." The Board consider this intelligence highly interesting and important. Situated as our Missionaries formerly were before the war, and under Burman authority, no permission was given them to teach children, except such as they might occasionally purchase of merciless creditors, and make them their own.* It was deemed an object of such moment to obtain access to the minds of the young, as, in the absence of other means, to justify the adoption of this measure. Accordingly during the visit of Mrs. Judson to England and America, several devoted and benevolent christians, furnished, her with funds for procuring or ransoming a number of such children.

At the termination of the war, and in prospect of residing in the conquered provinces, where Burmans would enjoy British freedom and protection, she was peculiarly animated by the consideration that there, she should be unrestricted in the formation of schools, except by the ability for supporting them.

*It may be proper, for the information of some, to remark, that among the Burmese, a custom prevails, allowing a creditor, if he can obtain nothing else of a poor debtor, to take and make sale of one or more of his children, to meet his demand. These become the property of the purchaser, who may dispose of them as he pleases; and if obtained by Missionaries, might be educated at their discretion.

What she anticipated is now realized, and we are assured that this branch of instruction may be extended indefinitely, affording every encouragement of success.

The circumstances of Mr. and Mrs. Boardman did not allow them to

join the Missionaries at Amherst until April 17, 1827. During their stay in Bengal they had pursued the study of the Burman language under a competent teacher, besides which, Mr. Boardman_ had been most usefully employed in assisting our valued English brethren, at a time of unusual religious revival in their churches.

When he arrived at Amherst, and had conferred with the brethren, it was determined to establish a second station at Maulaming, the head quarters of Sir Archibald Campbell, about 25 miles distant on the same river. This place is delightfully situated, with a population of about 20,000 natives, and rapidly increasing. Its position upon the river affords facilities for the most easy intercourse with Amherst and the interior of the country. To this new station, Mr. and Mrs. Boardman were appointed, and, on repairing to it, were received with much kindness by Sir Archibald, who gratuitously presented him for the mission, an ample plot of ground in an eligible situation. On this a small bamboo house

has been erected, which cost about $175.

It is the purpose of Dr. Judson to occupy these stations alternately; a measure which we contemplate with much satisfaction. By this arrangement he will be able to give the most efficient aid to each family, till they shall have fully acquired the language of the country, while at the same time he will be able to preach the gospel to thousands of the natives more than would immediately have heard it, had his residence been limited to either place. Our accounts from these stations are only down to May, 1827, at which time there had been no opportunity for the establishment of schools at Maulaming. There is another event which we 'view as auspicious to the mission. One of the native Christians in the ardour of his love to Christ, has voluntarily devoted himself to the spread of the gospel among his countrymen, of whom Dr. Judson thus writes: "At the evening meeting, which is attended by the native Christians Tuesdays and Fridays, Moung Ing expressed his desire to undertake a missionary excursion to. Tavoy and Mergui. We were all particularly pleased with the proposal as originating with himself, and indicating a state of mind peculiarly favourable to the spread of the gospel. On a subsequent Lord's day, after the usual worship, we set him apart to the work to which, we trust, he is called by the Spirit of God, appointing him a teacher of the Christian religion, without the power to administer ordinances, and being thus committed to the grace of God, he embarked in a native boat, bound to Tavoy. May this be an earnest of a large number of native preachers who shall hereafter be raised up in this mission to go forth into every part of the Burman dominions."

We fully respond to this sentiment. The native is already in possession of the language, and its idiomatic peculiarities, which it takes years for our countrymen to acquire. He is also acquainted from youth with the sentiments and habits of thinking of his nation, and knows best how to meet them in familiar intercourse. He requires no expense for outfit, is accustomed to the climate, and can ordinarily be supported for much less than is indispensable for Europeans or Americans. Let the churches consider this; and in their supplications in behalf of the great object of missions, offer special prayer for the raising up of native preachers.

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AVA.

At the restoration of peace, Dr. Price remained at Ava; and the accounts from him are to the first, of January, 1827. The effects produced by the war on the publick mind at the capital, and particularly on the king and court, were favourable to the designs of the Missionaries. Up to that period they were sanguine of their intelligence, and ever asserted their superiority to other nations; but the lessons then taught them by experience, produced an opposite conviction, and rendered them desirous of English instruction. Of this disposition, Dr. Price gladly availed himself, and took under his care, several children belonging to distinguished families. It is worthy of particular consideration, that no restraint was imposed on him in their education; so that he early associated with his other instructions, the principles of christianity, and established for the Sabbath, a regular service which all were at liberty to attend. This publick avowal of religious opinions and sentiments altogether new, excited attention, and called forth investigation on the part of the parents and others; but no displeasure was manifested. The king had condescended to inquire after his sacred books, and requested to be furnished with them; more particularly the historical parts of scripture. What will be the ultimate effect of this surprising change in the policy and conduct of the Burman court, we shall not attempt to predict, but conceive there is much to hope from it. Indeed, in our estimation, there is rarely a field of so much promise to the godly and devoted missionary, occupied by any one, or a situation of such fearful responsibility, as the station at Ava. It gives us concern to add, that at such a time, when all the assistance which a Christian consort could give, seemed necessary, Mrs. Price was suddenly removed by death. She was among the early converts of Rangoon, and a woman of undoubted piety. As it had been her daily concern to live the life, so it was her consolation to die the death of the righteous. She is, we trust, reaping the fruits of that gospel in the kingdom of glory, which Our Missionaries first carried with success to Burmah.

From the survey we have thus briefly taken, we perceive enough to excite us to a vigorous prosecution of our enterprise in the east.

Since the preceding was drawn up, accounts have been received from all the stations, bringing the information from Ava, down to May 26th, and from Amherst and Maulaming, to September 30, 1827. A part of the letters and journals have already been published in the Magazine for May, and the remainder will soon appear, so that less needs be said in this place of their contents. We cannot, however, forbear to mention, that they furnish abundant evidence of the successful progress of the Mission.

Dr. Judson had resumed the work of translating the Scriptures, for which he is eminently qualified; and if Providence permits, will not cease from it, till all the Old Testament shall be added to the New in the Burman language.

Dr. Price, though with impaired health, was able to continue instruction in his school, and deliver regular lectures upon the evening of the Sabbath.

Mr. Wade had so far acquired the language of the country, as to commence preaching in it with acceptance and effect. Mr. Boardman was able to converse in a manner to interest and instruct the natives.

We are further informed that the provinces taken from the Burmese, are to be retained by the British. Of this, the missionaries, with others,