Great demand for books. 4. Rose this morning grateful to the Father of all my mercies for the quiet and refreshing repose of the night. Persons to whom we had promised books on the previous day were early at the tent, importunately soliciting them, not only for themselves, but also for their friends, who had accompanied them hither; among whom were the two principal men of the feast, who had come for conversation and books. On their appearing before the tent, I invited them in, and caused mats to be spread, on which they seated themselves most respectfully. Their persons, of a gigantic stat leaves, strips of cloth and paper, are strown by him in every direction, which are seized by hundreds of uplifted hands below as so many priceless and imperishable treasures. He has performed five revolutions in five minutes, and hundreds of voices swell the interrogative, How many more? The response is, five more; and away he moves, raising both hands joined at the palms to the forehead, expressive of devout homage to the smiling divinities below. The tenth is done, and he descends from a height of sixty or seventy feet amidst the cheers of the enthusiastic multitude. A second has performed the same process in the same time, and the people are dis-ure and well proportioned, were decopersing for the adjacent villages. O, could the last rays of the setting sun transmit this scene in all its solemn reality to the shores of my native land, and indelibly impress it upon the affections of those whose minds have been illuminated by the rays of the Sun of Righteousness, and whose hearts have been renovated by the genial influences of the Holy Spirit, I should hope it might suffice; "but if they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead." Sept. 3. Rose early this morning and found a sanctuary in a bower about three fourths of a mile from our tent. O, what will it be to spend eternity in communion with God. We have been very busy during the day in reading, explaining, and giving books and tracts to the people. Towards evening, being pressed for books, and finding they were nearly all gone (for we brought only 400 portions of scripture, and about 1000 tracts from N.) we immediately despatched a man for a new supply, which we hope to receive tomorrow evening or the following morning. The multitude that witnessed the swinging exhibition, was more dense than on the previous day. While one of the men was swinging, a butterfly was observed flying over, when instantly hundreds of voices exclaimed, Behold! behold! the goddess is pleased, is pleased. The divinity, it is believed, assumed, for the time being, the form of the butterfly as expressive of her highest gratification in reference to the object of her complacency. Most of the people have dispersed, and we are left to muse upon the scenes of the day, and supplicate the promised blessing to attend the word. rated with the finest muslin and or- At 3 o'clock, P. M., two head coolies arrived with books, to our great joy. But they were all disposed of in less than hour. What are two hundred portions of scripture among so many! Towards the last, the books were snatched from our hands, and as we feared, might be destroyed by the contending parties. We are, however, cheered with the prospect of receiving an additional supply, as two bullockloads were despatched by br. Day on the previous day. ners were kind and affable, and their | ner discoursed an hour or two on the entreaties importunate for books for nineteenth verse of the same. In the themselves and the people of their course of his remarks, he had occasion village. We were under the painful to refer to the sacrilege of four Brahnecessity on this, as on former occa- mins, committed on the previous day; sions, of replying, Our books are all each of whom had robbed the divinigone. We have sent to N. for more, ties of fifty rupees, besides jewels of but they do not arrive; we think they silver and gold. They were immediwill be in this evening or early to- ately arrested and imprisoned, and are morrow morning. "What is in those awaiting their trial. An apparent inbags?" said one of the party. No books, terest and solemnity characterized the I said, examine and satisfy yourself. hearers, while the mutable and perish"What books are those," said another, able nature of earthly things was con(pointing at my English bible, a copy trasted with spiritual and heavenly of the Psalms and of Matthew.) Those, things. I replied, we keep with us to read to the people who call at the tent. The former you cannot read, and the latter we cannot give. "That is proper," said a third, "and you ought not to desire them." "I can read English," said a fourth, "will you give me the English bible?" These, together with the former, drew a large collection of people around our tent, which being endangered, and our patience almost exhausted, we resolved on leaving it for a more quiet retreat. Accordingly we walked into the fields and groves, but they followed hard after, saying, "We have come a great distance-must return give us books sir, give us books sir." A thunder storm just at night dispersed the people and prevented a third man from swinging. The rain was copious, and the thunder has greatly cooled the atmosphere, and the people are shivering with the cold. The work of the week is done, and the Lord's day is at hand. I would be prepared for the closing scene of life, and for that eternal Sabbath where the weary are at rest and the wicked cease from troubling. 5. Lord's day. I find my thoughts still adverting to God's sanctuary in my native land. Its hallowed associations awaken peculiar emotions and desires for the upper sanctuary. What a flood of light, of joy, and of glory, will burst upon the redeemed and glorified spirit, as it awakes in the perfect likeness of its Savior! "O glorious hour, O blest abode, At an early hour we raised the walls of our tent, and commenced reading and speaking to the people who had seated themselves under our grateful bower. I read the sixth chapter of Matthew, and br. M. in a happy man The multitude and their interest in the swinging exhibition are still increasing. There is no rest in sin. "Madness by nature reigns within, 6. Went out early this morning into the bazar, and examined all the shops with their enclosures, in order to ascertain whether any of our books had been destroyed, either by the people or the bazar men. Found part of an English bible with a bazar man from Madras, and a few leaves of two different portions of scripture, with one from Nellore. On demanding them they seemed appalled, and begged our pardon. Except you obtain the pardon of God through Jesus Christ for all your sins, the endless torments of hell will be your inevitable portion, we replied. A man who called at our tent, said his friend bad bought one of our books of a bazar woman for one dub (equal to about one penny,) and believing it wrong, he had come to inform us, and if we desired, offered to show us the woman. We immediately accompanied him to the woman's shop, and having demanded, obtained the dub. We gave it to the informant, when all present exclaimed, "that is right! that is right!" From an interview with one of the men who swung on a previous day, we learned that a mercenary motive had bought him. He has received a rupee and a cloth worth two or three more, and is to have his land, seed and water gratis. Persons may swing either on account of their own, or on account of the vows of others; in which case it is believed great merit is obtained, and entire exemption from a future sinful birth secured. posing than on any of the previous days, yet many persons remained during the whole time of swinging, the earnest solicitations of friends to the contrary notwithstanding, apparently much interested in what was communicated, and evidently intent upon the object of their desire. I think that during the last three days, we could have given two or three thousand portions of scripture judiciously, and which, in that case, would have been carried to different parts of the interior of the Teloogoo country, with a reasonable prospect of their being read and preserved. But we feel grateful for the privilege of giving one thousand, and as many tracts, and shall most ardently supplicate the divine blessing to attend them. The swinging to-day occasioned a general disappointment and dissatisfaction in consequence of the age and timidity of the person who swung. It is believed that the anger of the divinities will in some marked way be manifested towards him. The swinging part of the festival is now done; and O, that I could believe it were forever done! But the same causes will produce the same effects. Its observance during nine successive days, must have caused a jubilee in hell. But the gospel that has been published, and that is now in the hands of the people, may cause a uni At ten o'clock, P. M., our hearts were gladdened by the arrival of two bullocks, with books and letters from the mission circle at Nellore. Hundreds were in waiting to whom we had promised books, and who were about to leave for their distant homes. Several fruitless attempts were made to satisfy the craving multitude. At first we occupied three different places in order to draw the people away from the tent, and to divide them into three companies, the better to effect our object. But in this we were soon foiled, as the want of air, the vociferations of hundreds of voices, "Sir, to me a book will you give?" and the taps, the knocks, the twitches, and the press upon our person obliged us to desist, and devise another expedient less objectionable. It was now proposed that the people should be seated around us, assuring them that on proving their ability to read, the books would be theirs. But here, too, as before, we were entirely defeated; for, while at-versal wail that shall overwhelm the tempting to give books, scores of hands were extended, each determined to seize the prize. What to do we knew not. We could not repair to our tent with any reasonable prospect of safety: and to get ourselves and books away from the multitude was impossible. While in this dilemma E. proposed to ascend the venerable olive, and to give books to the eager multitude below; this had the desired effect, for being perched on one of its spreading boughs, eight or ten feet from the ground, he poured the truth into their ears, and dropped the books into their hands, while br. M. and myself tested their ability to read, and endeavored to impress the heavenly message upon their hearts. A venerable old man from Nidupetta, just ready to drop into the grave, on hearing and receiving the gospel, called it the Lubavertamaum (the good news). He seemed at a loss to express his gratitude. The truth may reach his heart even at the eleventh hour. Though the last day of the feast, and the pageantry more im infernal regions. Blessed be God! he has said, "My word shall not return unto me void; but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the things whereto I sent it." 7. The people have been leaving all night; few are to be seen, except bazar men. A little quiet is very acceptable. The swinging apparatus, the idols are removed, and the people who remain, observe this as a fast day. We have had frequent calls during the day for conversation and books, and have only fifteen or twenty copies left. We have, however, written to N. for an additional supply, as we have concluded to attend a second festival, now in progress, eight miles south of this. We have had pressing invitations from persons of different villages to visit their respective villages with books, as no missionary with christian books has ever been among them. While the harvest is so abundant, where are the laborers? 8. During our morning walk in and around Cota, we had several favorable opportunities of speaking to individ- and be baptized. Accordingly on the uals and companies on the salvation of morning after our arrival, I sent the their souls. An old man from Kisma- deacon of the church, who is his putam, appeared much interested in younger brother, to give to him an opwhat was communicated on the sub-portunity of fulfilling his desire. Just ject of a free and full salvation by Jesus Christ, and begged several books for himself and friends. On being told our books were nearly all gone, and that it was our intention to call at K. on our return to N., he seemed satisfied. The idols, and hundreds of persons witnessed the taking down of the swinging apparatus, (which occupied most of the morning) and its safe deposit in the idol's temple. During the afternoon they have feasted themselves to surfeiting upon sheep and lambs, upon goats and kids, and upon berries and fruits of different kinds. The poor have been supplied with food from a common store provided by persons residing in the place, and the managers of the festival. Its entire expense is probably not less than 2000 rupees. All is silent and solemn as the grave. The people are all gone, and the idols have resumed their repose. We shall leave this for Malalum some time during the night, and may the Lord prepare the way before us. The brethren did not return to Nellore until the 22d, having spent their time in visiting numerous villages, distributing books, and preach ing the gospel of the kingdom. Burmah. LETTER FROM MR. STEVENS. Mr. Stevens appears to have written while absent from home. He dates Kayin Creek, March 31, 1842. A baptism among the Pgho Karens. It is with great pleasure, I inform you that after the lapse of nearly three years, the Lord has again permitted us to visit the baptismal waters, and witness the public profession of Christ, by converts from among the Pgho Karens. On the 25th inst., in company with br. Chandler, I went to Dong Yang. There was one man between sixty and seventy years of age, living at a village called Poungbai, about twelve miles from the zayat, whom I had expected to baptize while at Dong Yang in January, but who was prevented from coming to us at the time appointed, by illness in his family. He had desired to be informed when 1 should go up again, that he might come as our evening worship closed, we were gladdened by the sound of his well known voice, and, on going down from the chapel to receive him, ascertained that, notwithstanding a lameness, with which he has been afflicted for years, he had walked about half the distance, and when unable to proceed further, he hired a buffalo and rode the rest of the way. His conversation soon told us that he had come with all his heart to be baptized, and was not ashamed every where to acknowledge himself a Christian. On his way, he told those whom he met the object of his journey, and exhorted them to follow his example. The Sabbath following, after the usual examination, he was unanimously received, and I had the happiness of baptizing him in a beautifully clear, but shallow stream, issuing from the neighboring mountain. It was to us all a day of peculiar rejoicing. Long time had passed since the last baptism, and the present candidate was such in character and ground to fear that he would dishonor standing as not only to leave little his profession, but also to excite the hope that through him others also would, ere long, be brought to Christ. On leaving his house to be baptized, his wife and a son bade him go as he bad determined, and they would by and by follow in his steps. When the head of a family is baptized anywhere, it occasions peculiar joy to the disciples of the Savior, but it is specially so among the Karens, who preserve in their domestic arrangements so much of the patriarchal manner. Our hope, therefore, is, that in the family of this man, the little church in Dong Yang will ultimately obtain a strong branch. First baptism in Kayin Creek. Early the day following we returned to the city, accompanied by the deacon of the church, as I expected to make a trip up the Gying, to visit a family of Karens on the Kayin Creek, a branch of that river. Accordingly on the afternoon of the next day, I left Maulmain again, with Christians only for my boatmen, and was so much favored by the wind, that beyond our highest expectations we arrived at the place of our destination about eight or nine o'clock of the same evening. Here we had the happiness of meeting with | main. We commenced conversation the two other Karen preachers (beside with them, when they opposed as long the deacon) connected with the Dong as they could find arguments, and on Yang church, who had, for about ten the failure of these, resorted to the redays past, been preaching in this re- ply which usually puts an end to all gion. We spent the first day in discussion-" We will follow the multipreaching and religious conversation; tude, though hell be their portion." We and to our great joy, in the evening, endeavored to show them the import after a season of worship, saw the aged of their own words, but they were unman and his wife, the heads of the moved. We concluded our interview family, draw near and ask for baptism. by reading the first chapter of Genesis, This man has been regarded as a good when they left, and we united our inquirer for three years, during which prayers in family devotion. After time he has shown very satisfactory commending to God our aged friends evidence of conversion. He says it is and their children, we took our leave; now five years (i. e. since the baptism and when I saw the affectionate manof his mother, the oldest disciple in the ner in which the Christians gave to Dong Yang church,) since his mind each other the parting hand, with asdecided in favor of Christianity, al-surances of mutual remembrance at though he has not, during the whole of the throne of grace, I almost imagined that time, openly acknowledged his myself again in America. convictions. This being the case, and Long before daylight we found ourthe evidences of his life being so satis-selves at Damatha, where I wished to factory, and the views and feelings ex- see an interesting inquirer, who has pressed in repeated and protracted for several years given us much enconversations during the day, so well couragement. Whenever he meets accorded with those of a true convert, with any of the teachers or assistants, that no room was left for hesitation, he gives them apparently a hearty and he was immediately received with- welcome, as though he really felt himout further formal examination. The self one of their company. Early in examination of his wife was also en- the morning, in company with Ko tirely satisfactory, and I baptized them Myat Kyan, a humble, devoted old both in the name of the Father, and of preacher, I called at his house, but the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; the he had gone out before us to his brick first time, doubtless, that the waters of kiln, about a mile and a half from the this creek have ever been consecrated village. Ko Myat Kyan said "Let us to so holy a rite. Besides these two go out to him, a good man is so diffiChristians there is another, one of their cult to be found ;" and we were intendsons, who was baptized at Dong Yang ing to do so, when from the man's more than three years since, but has wife we learned there was another inresided in this region, and during this quirer in the place, who spent nearly period, single and alone, has been the whole day with br. Haswell, when holding up the standard of the cross, he was at the village two or three and amidst persecutions and reproach- weeks before. Accordingly we went es, has been exhorting his friends and first in search of him, and after some acquaintances to join it. Since the time spent in preaching to some whom time of his baptism he has been known we met in the street, we found his here by the name Quah plai, disciple house. He received us politely, bringof God, as he has been the only disci- ing mats, which he spread for us to ple in this region. The Lord has been sit upon. He had the appearance, I pleased to reward his constancy and thought at first, of being rather fidelity, and we cannot but hope that ashamed to have been inquired after he and his parents are the beginning by the disciples of Christ, and to be of a future Pgho Karen church to the regarded as one who favored their east of Zuagaben. The old man hap- sentiments. But, on the contrary, he tized this morning is 69 years of age, began immediately to speak with so and is surrounded by six families of much fearlessness in favor of Chrischildren and grandchildren, some of tianity, and against Boodhism, that I whom seem just ready to be baptized. began to fear he could not be sincere. I soon, however, became convinced, that he had indeed made so much As the evening of yesterday closed progress in his inquiries after truth, upon us, a few Talings called in, on that he was satisfied no reliance could their way from the teak forest to Maul-be placed on the betagat, and conse A good man difficult to find. |