which his labours
successfully inculcated,

and his writings will exhibit and vindicate
to future generations.
He died

on the 15th November, 1797,

in the 54th year of his age."-Vol. I. p. 29.
(To be concluded.)

Entelligence.

BURMAN EMPIRE.-AMERICAN BAPTIST MISSION.

To plant the Gospel in this vast empire, inhabited by a brave, active, irascible, impatient, warlike race, supposed to the number of seventeen millions, is an object worthy of Christian enterprise. The despotic and capricious character of the Burman governors, their former treatment of the missionaries, the death of Mr. Wheelock, Mr. Coleman, and Mrs. Price, and the ill health of Mrs. Judson, have been occasions of mourning, if not of discouragement, to the friends and supporters of the American Baptist mission in Burmah. But the Lord seems to have given the missionaries favour at the "golden feet," or imperial presence, and our hopes are revived. In the person of Dr. Price, who arrived at Rangoon, December 13th, 1821, the board appear to have availed themselves of the advice of the Serampore brethren, communicated about six years ago; and his medical skill, which they deemed so important, has turned to good account.

While Mr. Judson was engaged in translating the Scriptures into the language of the country, and labouring to call the deluded people from their idolatries, and feeding with the bread of life the little church which has been gathered from among the natives,—the fame of Dr. Price, in curing various diseases, reached the royal ear, and he was summoned to the court of Ava! whence Messrs. Judson and Coleman had, not long before, been repulsed.*

"My hopes (says Mr. Judson, July 20th, 1822,) of finishing the New Testament, without interruption, are all blasted by the arrival of an order from the king, summoning brother Price to Ava, on account of his medical skill. I must of course accompany him, and endeavour to take advantage of the circumstance to gain some footing in the capital and palace. But it is most repuguant to my fee! ings to leave my present pursuits and prospects in Rangoon."

On the 21st of August he writes :—“ Early this morning, I administered baptism to May Mee, (an old woman-a disciple of Moung Shewa-guong,) the eighteenth Burman convert." Two more still remain, the one deterred by fear of government, and the other by fear of her husband. "Add to these a desirable number of hopeful inquirers; and I feel that I am leaving, at least for a time, one of the most interesting fields of labour, that was ever opened to a missionary. But the path of duty seems to lead to Ava, and it is infinitely easy for God to open there a more interesting field." The mission at Rangoon will be left under the care of Mr. Hough.

Dr. Price remarks:-" Free toleration through the favour of government, is an end so desirable in this country, that we feel the importance of the present opportunity, as an opening of Providence, to obtain this end, and we prepare with

* See Christian Herald, Vol. VII. pp. 495, 550, 562.

Burman Empire.-American Baptist Mission.

687

Dr. Price seems to have borne the

much satisfaction to obey the summons." afflictive dispensation which removed from him, on the 2d of May, his bosom companion, with the greatest resignation. "Her patience and gentleness, (says Mr. J.,) her kindness, and above all, her spirit of fervent piety, we had learned highly to appreciate; but never so highly as when bent over her dying bed." "The topic on which she most frequently spoke, was the support she obtained from trusting in Jesus, under the sharp pain she endured, and in prospect of the great change before her." Dr. P. committed his infant daughter to the care of Mrs. Lawson and Mrs. Pearce, of the English Baptist mission at Calcutta, who will "take care of her with all the tenderness which Christian duty and sympa. thy excite."

The death of Mr. Coleman, which we have before noticed, took place on the 4th of July, 1822, after an illness of intermittent fever of only six days. "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 struggle." "He did not (continues Mrs. Coleman in a letter to his mother) 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." Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord-they rest from their labours, and their works do follow them. Mrs. C. will share largely in the prayers and sympathies of her American Christian friends.

From Ava, under date of Oct. 1, 1822, Dr. Price thus writes to the corresponding secretary:-"It has pleased the Great Ruler of the skies, to bring us into the immediate presence of the king of Burmah”-and to be informed that I must make his capital my place of residence." "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 called for, and all my stock inspected. The surgical cases were much admired. 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 his 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 upon 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. Ou the contrary, 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 watchmaker, at this moment, could obtain any favour he should please to ask. The same might be vouched for a chairmaker or cabinetmaker, &c. as the king has 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 PEOPLP"

1

UNITED STATES.-AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY.

(Concluded from p. 661)

In the last number we gave an abstract of the sixth report of the American Bible Society we now present a succinct account of some of the interesting documents by which it is accompanied in the appendix.

The statements given of the concerns of the principal European Societies we omit in this place, because our readers have the substance of them in the general course of our work. The Treasurer's report we have already published, as also the testimonies of affection and honour to the memory of the late President, on both sides of the Atlantic. The fifth article is a letter from Mr. Wilder, an American gentleman resident in Paris, giving a very cheering account of the condition of the Paris Bible Society: its organization has been improved, numerous auxiliaries have been formed in various parts of the kingdom; while kindred institutions for tracts, schools and other Christian and philanthropic objects, are springing up around it. Thus it is every where so divinely true was that clause in the angel's song, "good will to men." Not only does this spirit breathe throughout the doctrines and precepts of Christianity, but wherever she comes, the heavenly principle appears in every lovely form of actual benevolence.

The five succeeding items in the appendix refer to exertions making both here and in Europe, for the benefit of that interesting part of our race, who have so long sat in darkness, in our southern hemisphere. The parent Society in Britain have sent supplies of the Scriptures to Buenos Agres, Valparaiso, and Rio Janeiro, and contemplate sending a special agent for the purpose of establishing regular channels for Scripture distribution throughout the Spanish and Portuguese provinces. At Buenos Ayres a present of Bibles from the American Society has been gratefully received by the corporation of the city, and a part of them sent by that body to the commissioner of schools. At Monte Video, the Rev. M Thompson, a pious and active minister, has the opportunity of distributing numerous copies of the Bible, which is there very scarce. The young men's Society of Baltimore has sent him a small consignment to enable him to fulfil his benevolent designs. In St. Jago de Cuba, an American gentleman has distributed copies to schools and families, and is in high hopes of introducing more into that benighted island. Another gentleman writes, that there is nothing to fear in that quarter from the opposition of the clergy.

The want of the Scriptures in Florida, is thus affectingly mentioned in a letter from Pensacola: "We have no preaching, and only a few Bibles which I got from the agent for Louisiana, and distributed last summer. There are Americans here who have not seen a Bible for twenty, and some for thirty years! Do then help us." Thus there seems to be presented a wide and promising field for Christian benevolence and enterprise, in the extensive and fertile regions which swarm with millions from the equator to Patagonia. Here the butcherers of Rome first dyed the soil with blood, and her deadly superstitions inflicted a more deplorable destruction on the souls of men. Do we not owe it to so fair a portion of our world, to expiate injuries inflicted under the Christian name? We understand that arrangements on a large scale, are in contemplation by the board of Directors for supplying the word of eternal life to these unhappy people, who have so long groaned under oppression, both civil and ecclesiastical.

The domestic correspondence occupies a large portion of the volume, and pre

United States.-American Bible Society.

689 seats a spectacle which, if in one view it calls for tears and prayers, in another it exhilarates the Christian bosom, and prompts the song of thanksgiving and joy. Every where there exists a greater want of the Scriptures than could have been suspected even by those best informed. Not only, as might have been anticipated, in those districts which have but lately been peopled; but in the oldest and most thickly inhabited parts of the Atlantic states. But on the other hand, there appears almost every where an awakening spirit among the churches, a hearty union in counsel, and an enterprising activity in execution which promises the happiest results. The receipts of the national Society have regularly increased, and new auxiliaries are constantly forming. To present to our readers the whole of this correspondence is impracticable, nor would it comport with the plan of our work; but we shall select from it a few interesting facts, reserving the liberty of making further extracts as opportunity may serve.

Bibles are admitted into Canada free of duty: an arrangement highly creditable to the government of that province. The books are in general thankfully received by the people, though in some instances copies have been forcibly taken away by their priests, and burnt before their face. A copy was given at St. Louis to a Frenchman between seventy and eighty years of age; he had never seen a Bible before, and received it with a flood of tears. A poor woman in Jersey learned to read solely for the purpose of perusing the Scriptures-and afterwards to write, that she might make extracts to aid her memory: she appeared to feed upon the treasure with eager and increasing ardour: its fruits appeared in her whole deportment, and she died in serene hope, soon after accomplishing her design.

In Carolina Bibles have been gratuitously placed in the bar-rooms of taverns, that travellers, while waiting for the preparation of refreshments, or neighbours, who may drop in to lounge away an idle hour, may have presented in their way the means of lasting good. This arrangement we cordially approve, and hope to see the example followed in our state and throughout the country." It has already been practised with respect to some of our steam-boats, but never, to our knowledge, in public houses of any kind.

In several parts of the country the Scriptures have been exchanged for produce, and in some cases the funds of the Society have been rather increased by the measure: owing to the embarrassment of the western banks, this means has been resorted to, to forward the collections of auxiliary Societies, which have been invested in cotton and tobacco, and shipped to this city.

In confirmation of what we remarked in relation to the want of the Scriptures and Scripture knowledge where least suspected, we observe in a report from the Young Men's Bible Society of Washington city, that they have discovered in that city near three hundred families without a copy of the Bible among them. In answer to the inquiries of the investigating committee, one woman asked, "what is a Bible?" and another replied, "there are several books in the house, but I do not know whether any of them is a Bible or not!"

We are cheered, however, in turning from such a picture to observe the voluntary, laborious, and persevering exertions of individuals, (in some cases solitary and unaided,) in various parts of our country. The efforts of one gentleman in North Carolina, who went out on a short tour for the purpose, were happily in

See some useful hints on this subject in our seventh volume, No. XIII. p. 385.

strumental in the formation of ten auxiliary Societies, one of which is in the college of William and Mary.

Were examples like this emulated by those many Christians who possess ease, influence, and leisure, what might not be accomplished for the good of men, and therein for God's glory and the substantial welfare of our beloved country!

NEW-YORK BIBLE SOCIETY.-THIRD REPORT.
MATTHEW CLARKSON, President.

E. C. WOODHULL, Treasurer.
W. C. MULLIGAN, Cor. Secretary.
JOHN H. HILL, Clerk.

Ar the close of the third year, since the union of the two old Bible Societies, which established this institution, its managers reported a distribution of seven hundred and four Bibles, and one thousand and sixty-five Testaments; of the Bibles, one was in the Welsh language, two in the Dutch, and thirty-four in the French. About 200 Bibles and Testaments were sold, and the remainder bestowed gratuitously to individuals and societies, in which the Sunday Schools have, as usual, largely participated. Total distribution 28,893 Bibles, and 4,386 Testaments. There remained at the depot 448 Bibles, and 265 Testaments, subject to the disposition of the Board. The receipts during the year were $1,29063, which are exceeded by the expenditnre about 100 dollars. Among the sources from whence this income is derived, payments from 202 annual, and three life subscribers, are mentioned. Allusion is made to the Ward Bible Associations, and the managers express their regret that the seventh "is the only one which has perseveringly attended to the objects committed to it."

The importance of efficient Ward Associations, has frequently been urged in our pages, but the success of that in the seventh ward offers the best argument and encouragement that can be presented to the others, to resume the work they once commenced, and persevere until the resources of the city are drawn out, and the poor in every district are supplied. If a fair inference might be drawn from a comparison of the contributions by the seventh ward, and the assessor's books, a large excess would be found in favour of some of the wards that now do little or nothing. We know not if the experiment has been recently tried, but perhaps an active Committee of the Managers might resuscitate these drooping branches, and thus "aid the general prosperity, by imparting to the future proceedings of the Society," a more impressive character. And does not "its local and relative situation, and the means it should possess, urge this duty with no common interest?" The following extract from the report must conclude our present notice of it:

"The Society know that while they distribute the Bible, they communicate doctrines and maxims which form the moral habits of man, strengthen the fabric of civil society, adorn its intercourse, and promote its glory. They may therefore rest satisfied in perceiving these effects to follow rapidly the course of their exertions, without being made minutely acquainted with every particular connected with them. They will also recollect, that many of the most interesting facts occur in the private, and sacred retreats of humble and domestic life, and are seldom known beyond them. There gratitude speaks her thanks with renovated heart; there labour makes its willing offering to the Bible Treasury; there is beard the voice of prayer, imploring benedictions on its cause."