fected in open day, it should be done under the covert of midnight darkness. But we committed ourselves to our heavenly Father, knowing that we were safe beneath his protecting hand.

By some means the order which the magistrate promised to issue on our account was detained a number of days. Had it reached here before us, it is probable that much of the disturbance would have been prevented. However, on the 21st of November, just nine days after our arrival, to our great relief and joy, it was received. It was very satisfactory, and produced a happy effect. In the course of a few days, another very severe order was issued, accompanied by a polite and obliging letter from the judge to Mr. C. In consequence of these orders, particularly of the last, the tumult has ceased, and the people are no longer afraid to work for us. We have now the satisfaction of seeing a beginning made on the bungalow, and expect it will be completed in the course of twenty days.

Thus, you perceive, my dear Mrs. S. that we have renewed occasion to erect our Ebenezer, and to say, "Hitherto the Lord has helped us." When we reflect on his goodness towards us since we left our native country, and the repeated dangers from which he has preserved us, what reason have we to love him, and to devote ourselves exclusively to his service! We cannot express to our friends how much we consider ourselves obliged to the magistrate. It is owing, in a great measure, to his kindness, that we obtained a license from the general government, and it is doubtful whether we could even now live among this people, were it not for the decisive steps which he has taken in our behalf. In addition to the kind letter containing assurances of future protection, he has had the goodness to furnish us with a native officer, who is to be in constant attendance, and to render us any assist ance that is requisite.

Account of the Females of the Country.

The Arrakanese females are exceedingly low in the scale of intellectual improvement. They are entirely destitute of a knowledge of letters, of needle work,

or of any of those employments which afford pleasure or profit to every class of females in Christian lands. Their time is principally occupied in performing the most menial services, and their conversation is confined to the most trifling and insignificant subjects. They are held in the lowest estimation by the men, and prejudices of the strongest kind exist against their education. There are two women in the place who can read a very little but, with this exception, there is not one, from the highest to the lowest, who knows a single letter of their alpha

bet. The sons of a few of the richest of the Arrakanese are instructed by the priests. But the females, alas! are held fast in the chains of ignorance, learning being considered too sacred for their polluted touch. As long as they remain in this degraded state, it will be extremely difficult to convey religious instruction to their minds, to convince them of the necessity of an atonement, and of faith in

Jesus Christ.

DEATH OF THE REV. JAMES COLMAN.

In writing the preceding narrative, Mrs. Colman knew not the severe affliction with which she was so soon to be visited. On the succeeding 4th of July her husband was consigned to the tomb, and she left alone in a heathen land. She returned to Chittagong on the 9th of July, and was immediately and severely attacked with the jungle fever. After her recovery, she addressed the following account of the sickness and death of her husband to his mother in New England:

Chittagong, Sept. 26, 1822.

MY DEAR MOTHER-Your letter of August 28th, 1821, was duly received. While reading the account which it contains of the death of Mr. H. Pearce, I little suspected it would so speedily fall to my lot to communicate to you intelligence of a similar nature. Alas! it is my painful duty to mention a death in which you are more deeply interested than in that of the above, and which, should you not have previously heard of it, will awaken in your bosom the tenderest sorrow. Your affectionate son, the amiable and dear beloved companion of my joys and sorrows, is no more! How trying and mysterious are the dispensations

of Providence! On the arrival of your letter, which was the 8th of June, Mr. C. was well, and enjoyed an unusual flow of spirits. He was warmly engaged in the cause of his Divine Master, and his life, to human appearance, was never more necessary. But just at this interesting period infinite wisdom saw fit to remove him. On the 28th of June he was attacked by an intermitting fever. He took such medicines as are commonly used in similar cases. They produced a good effect; and such were the favourable symptoms of his disease, and so slight his sufferings during the first five days, that neither of us apprehended the least danger. On the sixth day, however, he suddenly grew worse, and early in the evening the fever came on in a more alarming manner than it had done at any preceding time. I gave him some medicine, which considerably abated its violence. He became quite composed, and after speaking a few words to me, fell into a gentle sleep. I remained by him in a state of great anxiety, but still thought there was every appearance of his having a comfortable night; and I determined, as I saw his disorder increasing so fast, that should we both be spared until the next day, I would remove with him to Chittagong, hoping that a change of air might prove beneficial. But, alas! he was not permitted to behold the light of another sun. After remaining composed for a short time, I had the disappointment to perceive that he grew extremely restless. I awoke him, and oh! what agony of mind I felt when I found that delirium had made its approach! It was then about eleven o'clock. After this, the fever increased in a rapid and violent manner, and rendered ineffectual every effort which I made to save a life so dear to me. His sufferings were very extreme until towards the close, when it pleased God to lessen their severity. Although unable to speak, yet he seemed entirely delivered from pain, and breathed his last without a groan or a struggle.

I am sensible, my dear mother, that this event will be peculiarly trying to you. I am sure it has left me most disconsolate and afflicted. It has indeed been almost

too much for my feeble nature to sustain. But however severe our sufferings, let us rest satisfied that the event has been ordered by unerring wisdom. If God condescends to number the hairs of our head, and to take notice of even the sparrow which falleth to the ground, certainly he is not indifferent to those events which relate to the prosperity of his own kingdom. God knew perfectly well what would be the result of our going to Cox's Bazar. It was according to his holy will that there Mr. C. should be visited with sickness, and that that sickness should terminate in death. May we therefore be enabled to exercise that submission which is pleasing in his sight, and to say, with an afflicted saint of old, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him."

Let it also be our consolation that the

dear subject of this letter was fully prepared for heaven, and that his happy spirit, now released from this world of sin and suffering, is enjoying the company of angels and glorified beings, and drinks full draughts of bliss from that river of pleasure which flows at the right hand of God and the Lamb. He did not put off the concerns of eternity until confined to a sick bed. No: while blest with health, and in the full possession of his rational powers, he made it his business to prepare for a dying hour. During the last eighteen months of his life, his mind was unusually solemn, and seemed to be under a strong presentiment that he should be early removed from this world. Frequently, when under the influence of these impressions, he has conversed in the most solemn and impressive manner respecting his own dissolution. One of these seasons in particular is deeply engraven on my memory. Coming one day from his place of retirement, he seated himself by me, and with a placid and heavenly air conversed with me concerning an early separation, and entreated me to prepare my mind for such an event, as he fully believed his time on earth was short. He remarked, the prospect of death was animating, and that he had not a desire to live but for my sake, and that of the poor heathen. You may well imagine, my dear Mother, that the subject

Y

was then painful to my feelings; but it now affords me great satisfaction to reflect on these seasons. I believe that God was then preparing him for exactly the sudden death that awaited him, and for a state of heavenly existence.

I rejoice that you are surrounded by Christian friends, who will feel it their privilege to sympathize with you on this melancholy occasion. And may God, of his infinite mercy, pour into your bosom the balm of heavenly consolation, conduct you safely through this vale of tears, and at last may we both have a happy re-union, with our beloved friend, in that world where distracting sorrows and separations are unknown.

Death of Mrs. Price. Rangoon, July 12, 1822.-My dear partner enjoyed her usual health, until the extreme heat of March and April debilitated her frame, and exposed her to an attack of the dysentery, which came on about the middle of April, at first exciting but little alarm. For four or five days she kept about the house; but the disease proving obstinate, she took to her bed on Saturday the 20th of April -and after suffering a good deal of pain and distress, breathed her last on Thursday evening, the 2d of May, very calm and happy at the prospect of her change. She was buried on the following evening, alongside of Mr. Judson's little Roger brother Hough officiating at the funeral, and a large concourse of Europeans and Burmans attending at the sad ceremony. I am now just on the point of parting with my little daughter, who goes to Calcutta in the ship which conveys this letter. I feel hardly able to support this double separation; but I am sure it is all for the best, and hence I can say, not my will, but thine, O God, be done. VOL. IV.

Operations for Cataracts.

On the day Mrs. Price was taken sick, I performed the operation for a cataract on both the eyes of a Burman woman, who had been blind two or three years. It happily succeeded well, so that she could, with the help of spectacles, see to read quite distinctly. This excited so much talk, that our house was soon thronged with visiters, most of whom came with diseased eyes. From morning till night the piazzo was filled, and we were at last obliged to bar our doors in order to study or eat in peace. With the advice of brother Judson, I have hired Moung Hla to assist me, and have undertaken to perform for good cataracts, and all easy surgical operations. I have also the help of Moung Shwa Ba, who, since Mrs. Price's death, has hardly left my side. With the assistance of these two faithful men, I occupy not more than two or three hours a day in attending to the

16

cases.

Favourable Prospects.

The governor's wife has sent for me twice, and I am strongly inclined to hope that the Lord is intending to grant us fa

vour in the sight of the rulers of this land. The multiplicity of business thus heaped on me, has proved a most happy antidote to melancholy reflection; though it has and injured my health. GoD's dealings necessarily very much wearied my mind, have, however, been all ordered in kindness; and I am obliged, in the midst of my tears, to rejoice that God reigns-for He will do all things well.

Preparations for a journey to Ava.

Rangoon, Aug. 24, 1822.-Just on the eve of setting out for Ava, I sit down to give the Board, through you, a short sketch of the dealings of God with us since I last wrote.

July 12.-I left the ship which contain ed my only remaining earthly comfort, and with a heavy heart set out on my return to Rangoon. Every object on the river, viewed so lately in so different a situation, tended to increase my depression. On my way to the mission house, the dreary prospect now before me was

painted in the most glowing colours; and nothing but the love of perishing souls, and the desire of building up the kingdom of the Redeemer, could have made this dreary waste at all desirable. But blessed, for ever blessed, be the God of all grace and consolation, for the present help afforded in this as well as in every other time of need. I had scarcely arrived, and taken a brief survey of my now solitary mansion, when I was informed that an order had arrived from the king for me to come immediately to Ava. Free toleration, through the favour of govern ment, is an end so desirable in this country, that we all feel the importance of the present opportunity as an opening of Providence to obtain this end, and we prepare, with much satisfaction, to obey the summons. My thoughts being now turned into another channel, instead of grieving at the afflictions I have sustained, I feel most thankful that things have been so ordered that I can proceed on this arduous mission without any earthly care.

July 20.-Mr. Stockdale, on mercantile business, arrives with an order from the king to bring the American doctor with him, when he returns, which he says will be in about six weeks. This order he obtained through favour, that we might not be hurried in our setting off, as we should have been by the former order.

August 7.-We presented a petition to the governor to be furnished with a boat and men to proceed to Ava. He gave no definite answer, but intimated that we should be provided for.

On our coming out of the government house we found every body looking at a great vulture who was resting his filthy carcass on the spire over the governor's golden appurtenances. This was viewed as a certain omen of destruction to his earthly glory-and all exclaimed, he will surely die. This event must shortly take place, at any rate, for he is 65 years old, and has scarcely left his bed for two

weeks.

August 11.-A man of high rank arrives in a royal boat to bring me without delay into the presence of the king.

August 12.-Mr. Judson and myself

were called to the Yong-dau, (or king's court,) and informed of the arrival of the boat. We were questioned as to America; its situation, its distance, and bearing from England, its number of inhabitants, the time of my leaving, the length of the voyage, the captain's names, the diseases I cured, &c. &c., all of which were immediately put down for the king's inspection.

August 20.—The governor died, and our going is delayed.

board the king's boat, and in a day or August 25.-Our things are all put on two we expect to set out.

Arrival at Ava, and reception by the King.

Ava, Oct. 1, 1822.-It has pleased the Great Ruler of the skies, to bring us into the immediate presence of the king of Burmah. Just one year from my reaching Bengal I was introduced into the palace of the great emperor, and informed that I must make his capital my place of residence. This is an event for which we have longed and prayed-as calculated to give stability to the mission, in a land like this, where all are respected according to the notice bestowed on them by the king. Whether our anxious anticipations will be realized, is known only to Him on whose business we came, and, who, we trust, has sent us hither for good. Our reception was very gratifying. We were obliged to submit to no ceremony. As soon as the king was informed of our arrival, a royal order was issued for our immediate introduction. As we entered, with the impatience of a despotic prince, he called to know which was the doctor. We were

taken into an open court, and seated on a bamboo floor, about ten feet from the chair of the monarch. "They are from the western continent," was the first remark-after which our great man delivered his account of us. We were then interrogated, as to my skill in curing eyes, cutting out wens, setting broken arms and legs-besides many other things to which my skill did not extend. Our medicines were then The surgical cases were much admired. called for, and all my stock inspected. After looking at mine, the king sent for his own; one case of which being unlike

mine, he immediately gave it into my hands to use. This I considered as equivalent to fixing me here for life. After my galvanic pile had amused the king and the courtiers for an hour, we were dismissed, with an order to look out a place we liked, and he would build a house for us. An order was also given to look up all the diseased people, and have my decision on them.

The king is a man of small stature, very straight-steps with a natural air of superiority, but has not the least appearance of it in conversation. On the con

trary, he is always pleasant and good-humoured, so far as I have yet seen him. He wears a red finely striped silk cloth from his waist to his knees, and a blue and white handkerchief on his head. He has, apparently, the good of his people, as well as the glory of his kingdom, at heart; and is encouraging foreign merchants, and especially artisans, to settle in his capital. A watch-maker, at this moment, could obtain any favour he should please to ask. The same might be vouched for a chair-maker or cabinetmaker, &c., as the king has courage and wisdom enough to prefer foreign manufactures when he sees their superiority to his own. On the subject of religion, he appears, like all his people, devoted to his idols. But he has never yet persecuted for religion's sake! O that he might yet be brought to know and love the supreme GOD! SEVENTEEN MILLIONS OF PEOPLE, MAD ON THEIR IDOLS, DEMAND THE ACTIVE SYMPATHY OF A CHRISTIAN PEOPLE.

Mr. Judson writes, under date of July 1st, that the translation of the New Testament was nearly completed, and that he hoped to finish it in three or four months. The zayat, after having been almost deserted, is again visited by some of the most respectable Burmans, who appear to be earnestly inquiring. One of the converts, Moung Nyo-dwa, has been excluded for such inattention to religion, as appeared to be inconsistent with a Christian profession. Moung Thahlah died in the faith. A female has offered for baptism, and her case was under consideration. She is one of the Nan-daugong women, with whom Mrs. Judson spent many days.

MADAGASCAR.

LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

[From the Missionary Chronicle.]

A letter has just been received from the Rev. J. Jeffreys, dated Tananarivoo, June 22, 1822, informing the Directors of his safe arrival in that capitol, with Mrs. Jeffreys and the four artisans. This letter is accompanied by a journal, relating the particulars of their long and laborious journey from Tamatave, the sea-port where they anchored on the 6th of May, 1822, and landed on the 7th, and which they left for the interior on the 21st of that month, accompanied by J. Hastie, Esq. the British agent.

After a toilsome and tedious journey of twenty days, rendered difficult by bad, narrow roads, steep hills, lakes, rivers, &c. they came within sight of Tananarivoo on the 9th of June.*

"When we arrived" says Mr. Jeffreys, "at the bottom of the high hill on which the city is built, we were met by Prince Rataffe and the English officer, Mr. Brady, in their military uniform, accompanied by the two missionaries, Mr. Jones and Mr. Griffiths. When we began to ascend the hill, the guns at the top were fired. The streets (which are very narrow and irregular) were crowded by spectators. Some disciplined troops, dressed in the European style, had been drawn up in the court yard of the king's house. When we entered, the drums beat, the soldiers presented arms, and we hastened to meet King Radama, who was waiting to receive us. As we advanced, my attention was directed to two alligators, which had been recently taken, and which were placed one on each side the flight of steps that led to the palace.

The king received us in the most gra

* Mr. Jeffreys, in his journal, May 14, says, "Went this morning to see the place where the mortal remains

of the Rev. Mr. Beevan and his wife, and the child of the Rev. Mr. Jones, now missionary at Tananarivoo, are deposited. They came hither in the bad season, and soon fell victims to the endemic of the country. Well do I recollect the account of the failure of this infant mission. The circumstances of the case were indeed

mournful. May the recollection stimulate to activity, and still greater exertion, those who have renewed the mission under circumstances so auspicious as the present. We are in a land of death, surrounded by the memorials of mortality; which of our party may first fall, is known only to God. May we all be prepared when the summons shall arrive!"