AUXILIARY SOCIETIES. The Young Men's Education Society of Boston have become auxiliary to the Northern Baptist Education Society, and have established three temporary scholarships. These scholarships they have named STILLMAN, BALDWIN, and WINCHELL. Upon this Society the Board place great reliance. Having from its origin pursued, by an undeviating course, its ultimate object, it has now, after a growth of eleven years, acquired a permanency and strength of character, which invites great confidence. During the brief period of its existence, it has gladdened, by its benefactions, the hearts of many pious youth, who, from time to time, have gone forth from under its patronage to bless the church and the world. The Society was constituted in eighteen hundred and nineteen. Its first President was the esteemed and lamented Winchell, who was cut off in the midst of his days. Several of the first members of the Society are now numbered among the most efficient business men of our city; men distinguished too for their general benevolence and Christian enterprise. During the last year the Society, besides contributing to the Northern Baptist Education Society $150,00, the support of two young men, established in the Newton Theological Institution a permanent scholarship, and by a special effort paid upon that scholarship $1000. During the present year, besides the $225 due upon the three temporary scholarships, they have determined to increase the amount paid upon the scholarship in Newton Institution to $1250, which is the whole amount required to found a permanent scholarship. 66 It is hoped that a similar Society may be formed in every city and in every populous town in our land. Young men for action ;" and how pleasing to see these companies of young men combined together as an army of well disciplined troops in a holy warfare for the defence of everything lovely and of good report; and could I reach with my voice every virtuous young man in our land, I would say to him in the language of earnest and affectionate entreaty, Come up hither, and subscribe with your own hand to this noble and Christian enterprise of giving to the succeeding generation an enlightened ministry. Since the last quarterly meeting of the Board there have been formed two female auxiliary Societies; one in Grafton, by ladies in Rev. Mr. Converse's congregation, and one in Scituate, by ladies in Rev. Mr. Seagrave's congregation. The Board are ever gratified by intelligence of the formation of female auxiliaries. In years past, the Education Society has deeply felt and deplored its want of this species of co-operation. We need the prayers and the healthful influence of the pious and enlightened females of our numerous congregations, no less than their pecuniary support. There are circumstances, which render female charities exceedingly desirable. They are generally the dictate of an ardent and active piety, and are usually gathered from a great number of individuals, who are exerting on Society a powerful influence, which they can turn in favor of whatever object they please. From the renewed efforts of several female auxiliaries, the formation of some new Societies, and the preparations with which we have been made acquainted for the formation of others, we are encouraged to hope for an increase of patronage from this quarter. Quarterly Meeting of the Board of Directors, held in Boston at the Society's room, Dec. 14, 1830. At this meeting, ten new applications were made to the Society for patronage. Eight of these applicants were received as usual upon three months' probation, and the other two conditionally. At the same meeting appropriations were made to forty-one young gentlemen. Two others being absent from their studies for a season made no return; so that the whole number of beneficiaries is fifty-one, belonging to ten different States, and one of the British provinces. They are located as follows: In three Academies, In three Colleges, In one Theological Institution, 24 men. 16 99 1 "" Since the spring of 1830, eight beneficiaries have completed their studies, and have gone out as laborers into the harvest. Four have been settled as pastors in four different States, in promising fields of usefulness. One has sailed to India as a missionary, under the patronage of the Board of Managers of the Baptist General Convention, and one is about to go to the valley of the Missisippi. Another of the remaining two was preaching by the last account as a candidate, and from one we have not heard. The ministry of five of the abovenamed individuals has been blessed during the past season with special revivals of religion. Since March also two have been dismissed from the Society's patronage at their own request, and four others have been discontinued for want of suitable qualifications. An account of Moneys received by the Treasurer of the Northern Baptist Education Society, from Sept. 14, to Dec. 14, 1830. FOR LIFE MEMBERSHIP. Rev. A. Briggs, of Malden, Ms. by his people, 50,00 Mite Soc. in Rowley, " 50, 4,41 Jabez Farr, and wife, 2, Rev. Gideon B. Perry, by John Coggswell, 50, Benja. Emerson, 2d, Esq. of Haverhill, Ms. by himself, 50, Dea. Wm. Brown, by the Bap. Ch. and Soc. in Cambridge, Ms. 50, Rev. Benj. C. Wade, of Woburn, Ms. by his 1st Baptist Fem. Ed. Soc. do. 41, people, 50, Young ladies do. do. 14, Rev. Leland Howard, of Windsor, Vt. by his Male Ed. Soc. Newburyport, Female do. do. people, 50, Bap. Soc. Marblehead, Mr. Benja. Kent, Danvers, Rev. James Barnaby, Mr. Samuel B. Oliver, From L. Farwell, Esq. Treas. of the Boston Mr. Wm. E. Gray, 8, 7,79 1, -250,55 Association, viz. First church in Bosten, 24, Baptist church and Soc. in Brookline, 40, Mr. Samuel Darling, 3, Bap.Ch., W. Cambridge, Rev. E. Nelson, 3, From Rhode Island Branch Society, 100, State do. do. 87,70 From Vermont do. do. 15, From Vermont Bap. State Convention, 180, Treasurer's interest, 25,77 Charles-street Bap. church and Soc. 250, From Rev. Otis Converse, Treas. of the Lynn Bank dividend, 37, Worcester Co. Bap. Char. Soc. 200, A friend, 1, Church in Randolph, subscription, 114, A lady paying annually 2 cts. per week, 1,08 Rev. Geo. Mathews, in part refunded, 2, From Miss. and Ed. Soc. connected with 47,17 Second church, Boston, a collection, 30, From M. Shepard, Esq. Treas. of the Salem Henry P. Freeman, Treas. of the Young 150, Association, viz. Education Soc. in Rowley, 8,00 Sec. Bap. Fem. Ed. Soc. of Salem, 24,75 From individuals in Cornish, in part to constitute Rev. G. Williams a life member, 15, Mr. Jacob Tourtlotte, 1, MISSIONARY REGISTER. FOR JANUARY, 1831. SUBSCRIPTIONS and donations to the General Convention of the Baptist Denomination in the United States, for Foreign Missions, &c. should be transmitted to Heman Lincoln, Esq. Treasurer, at the Baptist Missionary Rooms, No. 52, Washington-Street, Boston. The communications for the Corresponding Secretary should be directed to the same place, as his residence is removed to the city.. BURMAN MISSION. not come to visit me so much as formerly; and not finding my time fully LETTER FROM MR. BOARDMAN TO occupied with visiters, I have fitted up THE COR. SEC'RY. The Lord in his loving-kindness and tender mercy, having recovered my beloved partner from that severe and alarming illness which hindered me from appending to my journal for December, certain reflections and observations which the close of the year naturally suggested, I will now subjoin them with a design of giving you a general view of what has been done during the past year, and of our present state. This station has been occupied so short a time, we are so few in number, and our strength is so feeble; the sphere of our labors so circumscribed; our ability to labor efficiently so small, on account of our inexperience and ignorance of the Burman language, especially of the language as spoken in Tavoy; and our success comparatively so inconsiderable, that a lengthened detail of duties performed, projects and plans accomplished, hopes realized, extensive influence exerted, and conversions effected, ought not, as yet, to be expected. Trusting, however, in the gracious promise of the Holy Spirit's agency and co-operation, and hoping that every new year some new achievements may be won, I will send you an annual review, and begin by noticing, 1. The labors in the Zayat. These have been neither abundant nor very successful. Nothing worthy of particular notice has occurred but what has been mentioned in my journal for the time. The curiosity of the public respecting my object in coming here, having been gratified, the people have a small room in my zayat, where I sit, when not otherwise engaged, and converse with such as come in, spending the leisure time in reading, writing, studying, and such other employments as tend to promote the great objects I have in view. In some cases, especially in the earlier part of the year, I visited other zayats in town, and conversed with such persons as I met. Both in my own, and in other zayats, I have often held conversations which I cannot but hope will be followed by permanent good. 2. Village preaching. Besides several thousand foreigners, there are, in this city, more than six thousand Burmans and Tavoys; in the surrounding villages, about twenty thousand more, and in the jungle about three thousand Karens, making the whole population of the province of Tavoy more than thirty thousand souls. This is literally a population of atheists, who believe not only that there is not, but that there cannot be, any eternal God, or any Supreme Being to govern the world, or call its inhabitants to an account. Among all these people, there is no one to teach them the knowledge of God and salvation, of heaven and hell, but ourselves. An extensive and weighty charge-an awful responsibility rests upon us. And what are we among so many? In the city alone, there are arrayed against us about fifty monasteries, with two hundred men in the sacerdotal garb, all of whom, when employed at all, are engaged in teaching atheism and metempsychosis. Similar monasteries are scattered here and there throughout the whole Province. Against this strong tide of fatal error, there is, as I said, no one to op pose an embankment but ourselves. But with God on our side, we will do what we can. The question has often occurred, How can we do the greatest aggregate of good to this whole people? How can we best promote those eternal interests of theirs, whose importance, instead of being diminished, will be increased ten thousand fold, when all other interests shall be forgotten as insignificant? By what course of conduct,-by what plan of operation, can we probably advance, in the greatest degree, the highest interests of this thirty thousand people, most of whom are dispersed through the province, in villages of from ten to five hundred inhabitants? Village preaching is most obviously required; and, out of the time that could be spared from the business of the family, the zayat, the church, and the schools, I have visited, within the last two months, between twenty and thirty of the villages, and preached Christ crucified, to both priest and people. In a few instances, I have been received and treated but coolly-in most, respectfully-and in some, gladly. Hundreds of persons have heard of a Redeemer, who never before heard of any salvation, nor hoped for any relief from sin and misery, except by undergoing countless transmigrations of the soul, and finally obtaining release on the shores of annihilation. Christian books have also been widely circulated; and in more instances than one, I have heard of their having been read with interest and hopeful advantage. Many persons have acknowledged their doubts of the truth of Boodhism, and some have even boldly avowed their preference of the Gospel. The Karens have justly occupied a considerable part of our attention. They seem to be, in general, a people prepared for the Lord. A large portion of the Karens in this province, and some of those in Mergui and Tenasserim, and some in Siam, profess themselves Christians; and, in the judgment of charity, a number of them, (perhaps ten,) are truly converted to Christ. In February last, I visited a few of their settlements; but as I gave in my journal for the time, a detailed account of the visit, I will only add here, that since that time, they have manifested a greater interest in the gospel than formerly. Large numbers of them have visited us, and spent several successive days at our house-not unfrequently, ten, fifteen, or twenty being present at once, though their settlements are thirty, fifty, or even seventy miles distant. Repeated applications have been made for me to visit them; and when, unable to go myself, I have sent Ko-thah-byoo, they have received him with the utmost cordiality. In one of the villages which I visited, the headman and two others have been baptized. Four others, (the sorcerer and his principal disciple, who can read Burman, among the rest,) have requested baptism. The Lord's day is regularly observed as a day of abstinence from secular employment, and of worshipping the true God, on which occasion a large number of persons assemble to pray and hear the Scriptures read; and Christianity may fairly be called the religion of the village. This Christian village is called Ts'heik-koo, and its headman Moung So. It is about fifty miles east of the town. Three other Karens have been baptized during the year; and the influence of the gospel seems to become every month more deeply and widely felt. Urgent applications have recently been made by Karens from the frontiers of Siam, for some one to come across the mountains and preach the gospel to them; and Ko-thah-byoo has been accordingly sent. The present state of the Karens in this region seems urgently to demand that one missionary should devote his whole time to them. 3. Native Schools. During several of the first months of the year, the Boy's Boarding School, supported by charities from America, and the Day School, supported by a monthly allowance from government, continued much the same as at the close of the preceding year. The Boarding School consisted of about twelve boys, who, together with a few others, who were not boarders, constituted the Day School; the whole expense of instruction, books, stationary, &c. for which, was met by a monthly allowance from the Bengal government. The only expense remaining to be met by charity, was for the school-house, food, and clothing of the boarders, which I am happy to find by the account, has not exceeded, on an average, three rupees per month for each scholar, or about eighteen dollars a year; a sum considerably smaller than was apprehended at the opening of the school. At the time of the revolt, in August last, we had many apprehensions that not only these schools, but also the station itself at Tavoy must be relinquished. But in the event, we found ourselves happily disappointed, particularly in relation to the day school, which has increased in number to about 30 scholars, several of whom are lads of promise, and belong to families of respectability and influence. We are particularly pleased with the fact, that there now belong to the school several sons of native Tavoys, none of which class could, previous to the revolt, be prevailed on to continue in the school more than three or four weeks. There are now in the day school, Burmans, Tavoys, Moosoolmans, Portuguese, Indo-Chinese, a Talieng, a Karen, and a Yooan-Shan. They are taught to read, speak, and write the English and the Burman languages; and the advanced classes study the elements of Arithmetic, Geography, and Astronomy. But as a detail of their proficiency in these various branches, small as it now is, would be tedious and uninteresting, 1 will only add that, with the exception of two Portuguese Roman Catholic boys, who are forbidden by their religious guides, all the scholars attend worship with us in Burman twice a day; and on Lord's days they study and recite scripture lessons under our direction, and all, not even excepting the Portuguese boys, study and commit to memory short lessons in our Burman religious books every day. In the course of the year, a Burman, an IndoChinese, and a Karen, the three largest boys in the boarding school, have been baptized and received into christian fellowship, and three others have made application for the same privilege; but as their evidences of piety were not entirely satisfactory, and they are still quite young, we have required them to wait for a season. Along an extended chain of villages lining each bank of the Tavoy river, a large number of schools under the general superintendance of an itinerant missionary might be advantageously established. I have submitted to the Board a plan for these schools which has met their approbation, but nothing can be done towards carrying it into effect until one missionary, at least, shall join the Tavoy station. In the early part of the year, Mrs. Boardman was obliged, by impaired health and the increasing cares of the boy's schools, to discontinue the female boarding school, which she commenced the preceding year; and has since directed her attention more to female day schools, which, being taught by native females, do not demand so much of her time. After much fatigue and perseverance, she succeeded in opening three schools, one of which soon became very flourishing, and afforded us many hopes of becoming useful. It consisted of more than twenty scholars, who made very gratifying proficiency, some of the girls learning to read intelligibly in less than three months. But upon the revolt in Tavoy, this school was quite broken up, and it is but recently that the teacher is rallying her scholars a second time. Eight or ten have already commenced their studies, and we fondly hope the school will become very useful. At several different times, when the boys' day school has been destitute of an English teacher, Mrs. Boardman has taught English, and thus saved the amount of one hundred Madras rupees, to the fund for female schools. 4. Native Church. This church at the close of the preceding_year, consisted of three members, a Yooan Shan, (in former letters, called by mistake, a Siamese,) a Karen, and IndoChinese. The last of these, we were obliged, at an early part of the year, to separate from our fellowship. He has since lived at Maulmein; and his conduct is better known to our brethren there than to us. The other two members remained steadfast. The church now consists of the following persons : Nation. At Maulmein, Yooan-Shan, May, 1828, Karen, May-Ay, March, 1829, Karen, Moung So, Moung Shway Kyoo, Moung Shway Hmong, May, 1829, Indo-Chinese, Moung Sekkyee, May, 1829, Karen, Ko-la-rai, Oct. 1829, Karen, Moung Kyah, Oct. 1829, Karen, Moung Kway, Oet. 1829, Karen, Remarks. Employed in teaching and writing. Itinerant Preacher. Wife of the above. Headman of Ts'hiek-koo village. The largest boys in the Boarding School. Inhabitants of Ts'hiek-koo village. Lives near Ts'heik-koo village. |