As Ma-Hla, the Christian matron from Maulmein is here only for a few months, I have not mentioned her as a member of the Tavoy church. Ten other persons, (five of them Karens,) concerning whom different degrees of hope and expectation are entertained by us, may be mentioned as having made application for Baptism. They are still on trial, and we shall be happy if any of them prove to be worthy of the gospel ordinances.

5. Miscellaneous notices. The last has been a year of frequent interruptions in our missionary work, and of repeated and heavy afflictions in our family. The messengers of disease and death have visited us, and left us enfeebled and sorrowful. But we have found it good to bear the yoke in our youth; and we hope that, through the remainder of our life, we may remem. ber, with thankful submission, the loving chastisements of our heavenly Father. Few have been the days during the year, when we have not had some painful affliction in some one or more members of our little family. But already, we see some of the good effects of these parental corrections and admonitions, in a greater desire to be weaned from the world and sublunary enjoyments, and to aspire more ardently after that life which "is hid with Christ

in God."

In consequence of these repeated interruptions, and the revolt of the people in Tavoy, all missionary operations have been suspended at this station for nearly a third part of the year. Still it has pleased God to look upon the low estate of the little church. Eight have been baptized, and several others hopefully converted. When I consider that besides this, twenty-five once heathen lads have been daily taught the principles of the christian religion-many hundreds of adults, priests and people, in town and village, have heard of the only true God and Saviour, by the foolishness of preaching and a large number of christian books have been distributed in various parts of the Province, and read with interest by many individuals, I feel a humble confidence that, through the blessed agency of the Holy Spirit, as we have sown in hope and tears, so, in due time, we shall reap in joy.

In closing this lengthened letter, permit me to remark, that the many inconveniences and actual sufferings necessarily resulting to a missionary and his family, from the want of a

brother and fellow-laborer, in such a country as this, especially in cases of sickness-the wretched state in which his family, the church, and schools must be left if a missionary, thus solitary, is removed by death, and the great need of more laborers in this part of the Lord's vineyard, compel me again to urge the request made the last year, for more missionaries to be sent to this station as soon as practicable.

Meanwhile, I remain as ever, dear Sir, yours, in the service of our Redeemer,

GEO. D. BOARDMAN.

Accompanying the foregoing, Mr. Boardman writes:

Tavoy, Feb. 16, 1830.

Dear Sir, I have, in compliance with the doctor's advice, spent twelve days by the sea shore, with my family, particularly for the benefit of Mrs. Boardman, who has been brought very low. I am happy and thankful to say, that she has much improved by the sea air.

I intended, but forgot to insert in the accompanying letter, a tribute of respect and gratitude to Major Burney and his lady. From the day of our arrival in Tavoy, tili by his promotion in the Company's service he was called to leave this place, he and his lady were incessant in their kindness to my dear family, often conferring on us favors without which we should have been reduced, in several instances, to actual suffering. May they receive a reward at the day of recompense.

Ko-thah-byoo has recently returned from his eastern tour. He was prevented from going across to Siam, by a company of Taliengs from Siam, who were returning, and would not allow him to go in their company.— Their opposition was wholly on account of his religious character. He went five days of his journey, and was then positively prohibited proceeding any farther, without a pass from the governor of Tavoy. Moung Sek-kyee, however, was allowed to go, with another of the baptized from Ts'heikkoo; and they declared the news of salvation to many of the Karens on the Siamese frontier, some of whom listened, and some did not.

Your letters, written while on your way to and from the meeting of the

MR. JUDSON'S JOURNAL. Maulmein, March 22, 1830. I am now contemplating a visit to Rangoon. Mrs. Boardman is here; and we expect that brother Boardman will remove hither shortly, which we are all inclined to think a better arrangement than the present. If, however, he should not remain here, one of us will return from Rangoon.

Our re-entering Burmah is an experiment which we are making with fear and trembling. Accounts from brother and sister Wade are rather encouraging. They both give it as their decided opinion, that I ought to join them immediately; not merely with a view to Rangoon, but to the neighboring towns; and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall render accessible.

The number of native inquirers in this place has lately rather increased. There are about five or six that I hope are near the kingdom of heaven, and as many more among the Europeans.

Apr. 18. Some encouraging appearances of late have made me unwilling to leave the place until brother Boardman should have actually arrived. One more European, a soldier, has received baptism; and two natives, Moung Dan, a young man, related to several of the Taling disciples, and Mah Poo, wife of Mc'Donald. To-day, two lads whose parents are members of the church, and who both give some evidence of grace, received a final examination, but were rejected by a few dissenting

change. Three persons have been lately baptized in Rangoon, and there are many inquirers.

21. A letter from brother Board

man, informing us that he will soon be here. I conclude, therefore, to accompany brother Wade on his return to Rangoon.

Rangoon, May 2. Arrived in this place, and took up my abode for a few days, in brother Wade's hired house, in the midst of the town, where we have a great deal of company, some of whom will, we hope, hear and live.

18. Thinking it better to reside in different places, for the more extensive diffusion of truth, we had a small building put up, for about fifty rupees, just without the enclosure of the town, in a place of considerable resort; but the neighboring priests made so much opposition, that we were obliged to desist; and we conclude to remove the building to the old mission premises, though that neighborhood is quite deserted.

The governor of the town, formerly the "Atwenwoon Moung K." has received me very kindly, and invited me to stay under his protection.

Brother and sister Wade have seve

ral hopeful inquirers. My principal one is a Thah-tay', a person of some little rank, whom we formerly knew at Tsá-gaing. He is an intimate friend of my old protector, the north commandant of the palace, and is here, for a few days, on some government business. He visits us almost every day, and appears, for the first time, to be pleased with the truth, though he has heard something of it for years. All the disciples that I have seen in this place, appear to have grace. A spirit of inquiry is more prevalent, and more boldly indulged, than formerly; and I feel that we have reason to thank God for all the past, and take courage for the time to come.

23. The Thah-tay' is about leaving us for Ava. At his suggestion, I send by him, letters to my former acquaintance, the north commandant of the palace, and the prince Myen-zaing.

25. I have not yet moved out to the new house, nor even seen it; for every day deepens the conviction in my mind, that I am not in the place where God would have me be. It was to the interior, and not to Rangoon, that my mind was turned, long before I left Maulmein; and while I feel that brother and sister Wade are in the right place,

I feel that I am called elsewhere. Under these impressions, I am about proceeding up the river, accompanied by Moung Ing, Moung En, Moung Dway, Moung Dan, baptized April 4, and little Moung Like, mentioned April 18, not yet baptized. The boat on which we embark, will take us to Prome, the great half way place between this and Ava; and there I hope and pray, that the Lord will show us what to do. A. JUDSON.

Rev. Dr. Bolles, Cor. Sec.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF DIVINE

Mr. Editor,

GRACE.

It becometh those who have participated in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, to acknowledge it with grateful emotion. And there is much to encourage them to do this; for he has assured them that he will bless them with the counsel which is able to direct them in their future course. The

Lord has been exceedingly kind to the people in Charlestown, during the present year. Indeed, I have abundant occasion to speak of his goodness during the whole of the eight years of my residence in this town; but have not witnessed such manifest tokens of his almighty grace in any other year, as I have in the present. And I esteem it a privilege to acknowledge the acts of his special grace, and to invite my Christian brethren to nify the Lord with me, that we may exalt his name together.

Commencement of the work.

mag

The first appearance of the special influences of the Holy Ghost among us, was the peculiar spirit of prayer, that several of the female members of the church enjoyed. One of this number had her attention particularly excited, from the fact, that a very active member had been prevented by sick ness from visiting among the people as she was wont to do, nearly a year. She thought that some one ought to discharge the duties, which, on account of her sickness, had been neglected; and that she was the individual to perform them. This consideration made a deep impression upon her own mind, and the minds of others. She acknowledged at a meeting of the church her want of activity and zeal in the cause of Christ, and for a long period enjoyed the sweet and refreshing manifestations of the Divine presence.

About the same time, another of this number had her mind remarkably impressed concerning the Lord's-day school. She felt that she ought to visit the school, and converse solemnly with the scholars on the importance of their salvation, and the necessity of their being immediately converted to Christ. The first Lord's-day she endeavored to pacify her conscience by praying specially for the school. This did not satisfy her feelings, nor deaden her impressions. How apt are Christians to propose some other duty, to avoid a present one; but, however great and important any duty may be under other circumstances, no duty can compensate for the omission of what God enjoins at a particular time. This, we must do, and by no means leave the other undone. On the succeeding Sabbath she repaired to the school, and expressed her deep anxiety for the spiritual welfare of its teachers and scholars.

Another, also, who had been for a long period desirous of having pious mothers meet to pray for the conversion of their children to God, became deeply interested, and in the Maternal Society, which was formed a few months previous, spake of her exercises with great effect. These peculiar circumstances awakened many more of the sisters, who also became feelingly alive to the obligations of Christians. The first person to whom I referred, invited, in select companies, most of the church to visit at her house for prayer and religious conversation; and at one of these visits, the conversation of the minister was blessed to the awakening of her daughter, whose mind had been in years previous seriously excited; but who at that time felt somewhat displeased at the company of so many religious friends. The second person had her mind particularly impressed with the necessity of females exercising the talents the great Head of the church had committed to them for the benefit of their sex. The fact that Frances Wright was exerting such powerful influence over men and women was the means of her conviction. If, said she, an infidel can do all this, what ought not a Christian woman to do for the preservation of the rights, and dignity, and salvation of her sex? The question immediately occurred, what can she do, and what ought she to do? These reflections constrained her to visit a number of the sisters, and urge the propriety

and necessity of their instituting a female prayer meeting, to which not only professors of religion, but also those who had no hope in Christ, should be invited. Such a meeting was established. The members felt considerable diffidence in praying before the world but this was immediately overcome, and great freedom in prayer and exhortation was afterwards manifested. And in these meetings, the first cases of conviction occurred.

Several members of the church, before any reviving influence of the Spirit was perceptible, had been anxious that meetings, to which a week should be chiefly devoted, should be held, and that at these meetings the ministering brethren of the vicinity should be requested to pray and preach for the benefit of the people. This was an experiment in this part of the country, among our denomination; but it was an experiment, the result of which, many had faith to believe would be glorious. And according to our faith, so it was. O how much Christians need faith! I was at first somewhat excited at its probable consequences. But, Mr. Editor, I find that to conform to the notions of the world, in our religious concerns, is blasting to the operations of grace. I believe the friends of Christ must be discreet; and I am aware they need much more prudence than many of us possess: still, Christians must not descend to the standard of worldly minds; but worldly minds must come up to the standard of the Bible: and they will not do this, so long as Christians continue formal, particular, and cold. Special exertions must be made, if souls are to be converted. When the church puts on her strength, and makes new and energetic efforts-efforts that cost her much self-denial, prayer, and fidelity-then she travels in the greatness of her strength, looking forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners; and many, submitting to her, become the sons and daughters of the Lord God Almighty. The men of the world do not expect that a worldly project will succeed without skill and exertion, corresponding to the effects to be produced. And the saints of the Most High ought not to expect, and they will be disappointed if they do, that God will revive his work, while they do nothing more than go the old round of duties, with the same feeling. would not be understood, that I wish

I

new things to be introduced, for the sake of novelty and temporary excitement. I desire that the old paths may be opened again-the paths in which the Apostles and primitive Christians walked, when daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Means employed.

Besides the common meetings which the church held for prayer and conference, and which in this state of feeling became more frequent and interesting, many of our members were very desirous of consecrating several days

in succession to the service of God in his sanctuary, in the manner to which I have alluded. Though at first some felt strong objections to such meetings, yet, when they saw the grace of God that had been so much revived, they could not withstand the apparent intention of his providence. The church in January, voted, to invite their ministering brethren of this region to meet with us, for so long a time as they might deem it expedient; and give themselves continually to prayer, and to This invithe ministry of the word. tation was given, we trust, in faith of the operation of God, and accepted in the exercise of like precious faith.The first meeting was held on Tuesday evening, the 23d of Feb. when a sermon was preached by brother Freeman, of Lowell, from the language,

which seemed afterwards to have been "Sinners shall be conprophetical, This discourse, as verted unto thee." well as every other which was preached, was followed by several exhortations from different ministering brethren. Each service was designed to benefit a particular class of the community.

Sermons to Christians, to young people, to awakened sinners, to the impenitent, were exceedingly interesting; indeed, every sermon, exhortation, and prayer, was signally blessed. Above twenty ordained ministers were present, besides several others who are preparing for the sacred office. A special divine influence attended every meeting. These meetings continued till Friday noon, when a most solemn and affecting interview was enjoyed, as the brethren commended each other, with their respective churches, and especially this church, to Almighty God. In the afternoon, many persons attended an in

quiry meeting; and more than thirty of them confessed that they were anxious to obtain an interest in Christ. One young lady who came, apparently thoughtless, to witness the exercises of the meeting, and who had been uncommonly light and trifling during the whole of the public services, was solemnly convicted of her situation as a sinner, when those who desired religious conversation, were requested to sit by themselves. She said to herself, "Do I not need such conversation, and am I ashamed to acknowledge it?" She felt that she did; and in that hopeful moment resolved, and I trust successfully, that she would never rest til she experienced the truth as it is in Jesus. The anxiety which had been excited did not subside with the termination of these meetings, but seemed rather to increase; and almost daily, for some time, instances occurred of individuals accepting of that liberty wherewith Christ makes his people free. Besides the aid received at the public meetings, several of our brethren occasionally visited and preached among the people. Among these, the labors of brother Aldrich were particularly blessed.

Another great means which tended to facilitate the work, were the conference and prayer meetings. And especially I would mention, the female prayer meeting, of which I have already written. This meeting became so interesting, that it was removed to our upper chapel. On some occasions there were two hundred persons present. The exhortations, readings, singings, and prayers of these meetings were blessed to the awakening and conversion of many to the Lord. Many have been opposed to meetings like these. They have felt that it was wrong for females to pray where those who did not profess religion were present. They have thought it improper even to announce from the pulpit, a female prayer meeting. But such feelings and opinions, I believe to be merely worldly. What impropriety can there be, in the sight of God, for a number of pious females to meet with their own sex for prayer? What encouragement does the fact, that God eminently blessed these meetings, afford the sisters of our churches, to meet together for the express purpose of having their own minds quick ened by the Holy Ghost, that they may offer the effectual, fervent prayer for the revival of religion among the peo

shall

ple where they reside? Our Lord has said, "That if two of you agree on earth, as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father, which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." And have we not ample evidence of the precious, encouraging fact, that where no more than two persons have the fervent inwrought prayer for the conversion of one or more individuals, that such prayer availeth all it embraced? God has given no limits to our prayers for the Holy Spirit. He has by his command, and by every other motive that can move a pious heart, required his disciples to meet together for prayer. And in every place, where Christians pray in the spirit, from love to Christ, and compassion for sinners, watching thereunto, with all perseverance in supplication, or without fainting, believing, their prayers will avail. For Christ has also said, "And all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." And I would encourage pious females to invite their unconverted friends to accompany them to their own prayer meetings, and to render their meetings interesting, by fervency in prayer, and zeal in conversation, that they may see that they feel interested for them, and that they have obtained what they have not. And they also will be constrained by every possible means, to obtain the pearl of great price. And especially would I encourage those pious females who live in the destitute settlements of our country, to meet often for prayer; and if there be no brethren, to maintain the sanctuary of the Lord, though they do it entirely in their own houses.

Character of the work.

The revival was strongly marked. From the first there was a deep and solemn conviction of the worth of souls, and of the Divine presence. Many of the church evinced a peculiarly fervent and devotional spirit in prayer, exhortation, and conversation. God evidently was present to hear the prayers, and bless the labors of his children. It was only to ask, and the blessing was received. For a few weeks, nothing seemed so descriptive of the state of things, as the cloud, filled with rain, that hangs over a place, and pours down its waters in plente