CHAPTER XIII.

Uncourteous demeanor of a few natives-Interesting case of a Chinese youth-Hopeful conversions and baptisms-Mr. Boardman's method of spending the Sabbath.

THE prospects of the mission at this station were now becoming increasingly encouraging. The spirit of inquiry had gone abroad both among the Karens and the people of Tavoy. But there were some things, of almost daily occurrence, which served to keep alive, in the breasts of our missionaries, the feeling of humble dependence on God. Instances of arrogance like the following, must be extremely painful to the feelings of the enlightened Christian, who has sacrificed all he holds dear on earth to do good to the souls of those who thus oppose him. They are not, however, without their use even to him. While they disclose the darkness, the pride, the self-conceit, and the blind devotion of the heathen to their religion, they serve also as trials of his faith and patience, and discover to him feelings within his own heart, which, perhaps, might not otherwise have been revealed..

One of the circumstances alluded to, is thus mentioned in the journal:

"While conversing with some persons, who seemed to listen with attention, a high spirited man came in and said to me, 'You know but very little. You ought to read more of our books. I want you to give diligence to make yourself acquainted with our sacred writings; then you would know something.' I acquiesced, saying, 'I know but little of the books you mention; but I am endeavoring every day to add to my stock of knowledge.' 'Yes,' he replied, 'you have read such and such books'-meaning those which he had heard me say I had read-' but the matter is not clearly stated in them. I want you to read such and such books; then you will not condemn what you do not know.' It was with some difficulty that I could rule my spirit, on this occasion; for though I knew I was greatly ignorant of

their sacred books, I did not much like the dogmatical style in which his sentiments were delivered. I told him, that it was my intention to study the books which he named, but had already learned enough of them to know a few things, which he, and all the Burmans believed; such as that their God was a sinner, that he died, that he was annihilated, and that, of course, he could do nothing. That,' he replied, ‘is all true; but I want you to read the books, and then you will come to the light.' In reply, I remarked, that if I did come to the light, I could not worship a dead God, an annihilated God. I then asked him if he had read our books. 'How can I read your books? I don't know that you have any.' I then gave him a tract, but confess, and record it to my shame, that through the perturbation of the moment, I did not give it with a becoming spirit, nor with prayer that it might be blessed. He read a little, threw down the tract, and with a haughty air walked off; taking all my hearers along with him. I felt sad, self-condemned, and my heart was humbled in me. I retired immediately to my private room, and prayed for the pardon of my own sins, and for the salvation of his soul.

"July 1st. Moung Bo, a Burman, has lately, and, especially to-day, expressed to me some doubts respecting the religion of Gaudama. He is a man of good understanding, and of great powers of speech; is extensively acquainted with the Pali, or sacred language of the Boodhists, and has worn the yellow cloth, that is, been a priest, several years.

6

"July 2d. Ko Moung called and spent a few hours at the zayat. He seemed captivated by my description of heaven. All the Burmans,' he said, 'pray for annihilation as the chief good; but if there is a place of everlasting happiness, without the intermixture of misery, it is preferable to annihilation. I must see you again.'

July 4th. In the afternoon, as I was conversing with a man who seemed attentive, a priest passed by, and looking up with a sullen countenance, said to the man, 'What are you there for?' 'Listening,' said the terrified hearer. Soon after this the zayat was nearly full. Some opposed, some went off in sullen silence, some inquired, and one or two seemed to be on my side.

"July 6th. Lord's-day. In the morning, had Burman

worship at the house, and went to the zayat at 2 o'clock, P. M. A crowd soon collected. Many priests passed by, frowning most indignantly. My high spirited friend' was present, and, before the whole assembly of perhaps forty persons, repeated nearly the same things respecting his sacred books, as before. I was prepared for it, however, and answered him mildly. He soon became quiet.

66

some

Moung Bo, mentioned July 1st, came in, and declared before all present, that he was determined to embrace the new religion. He had been reading the Christian books, and had conversed with me, and he was now determined to cleave to the Gospel. Some were angry, mocked, some were astonished. 'It is no small thing,' I remarked, 'to renounce the religion of one's ancestors, and to embrace the Gospel. Such a step should not be taken without due examination. Can you adhere to Christ through life? He is no disciple who believes to-day and denies to-morrow. Do you think you can endure to be reviled, cursed, persecuted, calumniated, disowned by your countrymen, your neighbors, and even by your relations? Can you endure death for Christ's sake?' He replied, 'I have examined, and my mind is decided. I will no longer worship the pagodas or the images; and if my countrymen, my neighbors, my relations revile me, let them revile; if they will kill me, let them kill. I shall go to God and be with Jesus forever. The present life is short, the future is eternal.' 'Then you are willing,' said I, that this assembly, and myself, and even the all-seeing God, should bear witness against you, if you should ever go back.' 'I am,' was his reply. The people were so urgent in their inquiries and opposition, that I could not leave till dark.

July 7. Early this morning, Moung Bo came to the house, and I had an hour's conversation with him. I tried to sound him to the bottom of his heart-told him not to expect me to confer on him the least possible advantagereminded him, that if he should join us, he must expect scorn and reproach. He calmly said, 'I fear them not, I am afraid of hell; but I put my trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, in hope that when this short life is over, I may enjoy everlasting peace with, him in heaven.' I inquired whether he attached any merit to his former strictness in keeping the law of Gaudama. He replied, that as the re

ligion of Gaudama was false, so all who observed it got to themselves only sin and demerit, and that his sins were innumerable. Whether he is sincere in all this, a future day will disclose.

"At the zayat, I had about forty persons, among whom was an old man, who had been a priest several years. With him I had a long and deliberate discussion in the hearing of the rest. He frankly acknowledged he could not answer my arguments, and that if what I stated of Christ's doctrine and practice was true, he thought it preferable to Boodhism. He promised to examine the subject further. Ko Moung was at the zayat nearly all day, and seems to have acquired an attachment to me. He enjoys my remarks, and expresses a pleasure when the people cannot answer my arguments. He said he wished to go to America with me. I said, 'There is a better country than America.' And when he perceived I meant the heavenly, 'Oh,' said he, 'I want to go with you most of all to that happy place.'

"In the afternoon Moung Bo came in, and again avowed himself a disciple. He was more modest and cautious than formerly. Another person accompanied him, who seems disposed to embrace the Christian doctrine; but his case is doubtful. As they both expressed a disposition to embrace the truth, one of the assembly, who, when alone with me, had spoken favorably of Christ, was so enraged, that he broke out in severe reproof of Moung Bo before all, saying, 'I think it folly and madness to renounce the religion of your fathers, just because a foreigner comes and attempts to propagate a new religion. Think a little before you take such a step. It is no mark of a wise man to dishonor his ancestors, by declaring that they were all in error.' Moung Bo calmly replied, that he was not acting without consideration-he knew what he was doinghis great inquiry was, not what his ancestors believed, but what was true. This he wished to embrace, whether his ancestors embraced it or not. His reprover then left the zayat.

66

July 8. After considerable conversation, I had the pleasure of an hour's candid discussion with a respectable and learned old gentleman, who had been a priest; and I have some hope that he felt the force of truth. He ac

nowledged that Gaudama did not keep the law of love, enjoined in the New Testament. This gave me an opportunity to dwell somewhat largely on the meekness, compassion and love of Christ; and I feel persuaded, from the experience of yesterday, as well as to-day, that there is no subject on which I can touch their hearts so quickly, as by leading them to the cross of the compassionate, dying Redeemer.

July 10. Moung Bo called at the house this morning, and expressed a deep sense of his sinfulness and inability to save himself, or even to do any thing in point of meriting salvation. When I unfolded to him the Christian doctrine of loving our neighbor as ourselves, he said,. 'There is not a Burman who keeps that law. Even Gaudama did not keep it. O, how excellent it is!' I begin to hope that divine grace has reached this man's heart. Ile is a good scholar, and it is said there is not his equal for eloquence in Tavoy. Should he be truly converted, we may hope God has designs of mercy to execute through his instrumentality.

came

"July 11. After repairing to the zayat, Moung Bo again boldly engaged in recommending the Gospel to about twenty persons. Shortly after, a young man in, who, on entering the zayat several days ago, had given me much encouragement. He appears thoughtful and remarkably guileless.

"A respectable young Chinese, named Kee Keang, entered the zayat, and said he wanted to learn the English language more perfectly. He professed to believe in the true God, and in Jesus Christ. I supposed it was a mere pretence, but requested him to call at my house in the morning, when I would converse more fully with him.

66

July 12. The young Chinese came this morning according to appointment, and in answer to my questions, he related the following account of himself. He left China at the age of eleven years, in company with his father and elder brother, in whose employment he has lived at Penang, Sinepore and Malacca. At one of these places, he met with a young man from Madras, who taught him to read English, and gave him a part of the Bible. It was the Old Testament, from Genesis to Proverbs. The young man used sometimes to pray with him, and to speak