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MISSIONARY REGISTER.

FOR OCTOBER, 1830.

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.

EXHILARATING EFFECTS OF MISSIONARY LABORS.

Ir is sometimes inquired by enemies, What have missionary labors effected? We answer, a large number in India, in the South Seas, in Greenland, in numerous dark regions, have given evidence of repentance towards God, and faith in the Redeemer, and many have died rejoicing in hope of the glory of God, and with a hope full of immortality.

But there are most pleasing effects of a general nature, besides the display of grace in the work of conversion. Much less tenacity is exhibited in India in relation to the attachment to cast, than was manifest when the heralds of the cross commenced their labors. Years were devoted to the work by Carey and Thomas, before one individual renounced cast; but now, a number of distinguished persons have professed Christianity, and eat and drink with Europeans; and it is believed that this barrier to the progress of Christianity is constantly diminishing in magnitude and strength.

In the Sandwich Islands, Christianity has led the rulers to enact wholesome laws for the suppression of immorality, and their faces are set against prostitution and the other public vices, which long reigned without control in these dark places of the earth.

Another illustrious triumph of missionary effort is, the late abolition of

the burning of widows in Bengal.The East India Company long resisted the labors of missionaries, from fear of attacking the prejudices of the natives, lest civil commotions might ensue.— Probably the government would have required forty thousand English soldiers to have inspired them with sufficient confidence to take this step 20 years ago. But now, in consequence of the light which has been spread over India by the missionaries of the cross, by the circulation of the Bible, and the distribution of tracts, the government has peaceably abolished this barbarous and murderous practice, and have even been petitioned to do it by numbers of the Hindoos themselves. The gospel is mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds, casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God.

For the illumination and reformation of Africa, we must also look, through a divine blessing, to missionary effort. The heralds of salvation will penetrate its dark recesses, become acquainted with its geography, ascertain the manners and customs of its inhabitants, and irradiate the minds of its sable population, with the light of heavenly truth. Every friend to the welfare of man should then be enrolled as a friend to the missionary enterprise.

BURMAN MISSION.

Mr. Boardman repaired to Maulmein, to accompany his family on their return to Tavoy; and the following journal records their safe arrival.

EXTRACTS FROM MR. BOARDMAN'S
JOURNAL.

Maulmein, Oct. 1, 1829. We were to have embarked for Tavoy to-day; but the Diana steain-vessel not being quite ready, we must wait a few days. 4. Evening. Embarked for Tavoy. We are grieved at parting with our dear friends here, whom we love more than ever; but we hope to meet them again, if not here, in a brighter world. Besides our former company, we have with us, Mah Hla, an excellent mother in Israel, from the church at Maulmein. She accompanies us in hopes of being useful to Mrs. Boardman in teaching the females of Tavoy.

5. Amherst. We left Maulmein at day-break this morning, and arrived here at ten o'clock. We have had an agreeable, and I hope, a profitable interview with the few native Christians who live here. After prayer in the old mission house, which is now quite in ruins, we took an affectionate leave of our friends, and embarked again. I have made arrangements with Capt. Corbin, to erect a small tumulus of brick over the graves of Mrs. Judson and Maria, that the spot may not be entirely forgotten. There is not at present the least appearance of a grave, but simply a wooden pailing which will soon decay.

6. We left Amherst harbor at sunset last evening, and arrived at the mouth of Tavoy river at 10 this evening. The passage has been peculiar ly pleasant and quick.

7. Tavoy. At seven o'clock this morning arrived off town, having been only thirty-seven hours from Amherst. Moung Shway Hmong, the Indo-Chinese Christian boy, and others whom we left to watch the house seem to have been very faithful. Every thing is safe and in good order. Ko-thah byoo, it seems, has come to town twice since our absence; but as he left his wife and two little brothers sick in the jungle, he returned to them before our arrival. Moung Sek-kyee, the Karen youth who entered our school fifteen months since, and was baptized in May last, but left us in quest of health the

day that our dear Sarah died, returned to us in health this evening.

11. Since our return, we have had

larger congregations at worship than formerly. It is our sincere desire and prayer, that, from what motive soever the people come, they may find the pearl of great price

19. Our worshipping assemblies continue larger than formerly. Many come expressly to attend worship; many hang around, and many make occasional visits. Ko Moung, who was formerly mentioned as sometimes attentive and promising, and sometimes hanging off, comes now every two or three days and listens with much attention. To-day he was accompanied by two very learned men, with whom I had much conversation, which I hope they will not soon forget. Two English soldiers came to solicit tracts, which I was happy in being able to give. Very many persons visit us daily for various objects; thus affording us an opportunity of giving them profitable instruction. Our school is also larger and more flourishing than

ever.

20. Ko-thah-byoo arrived. He has left his wife and two little brothers sick in the jungle. They have passed through various hardships and perils since they left us at the wharf: but the Lord has delivered them out of them all, and blessed be his holy name.

22.

The Karen, Moung Thetshee, whose village I visited in my tour last February, arrived here this evening, with his wife, who is an attentive listener to Mrs. Boardman's instructions, and six other persons with presents, &c. Soon as they heard of our arriv al, they hastened out to give us their welcome, and seemed almost overjoyed at seeing us.

23. Moung Khway, brother of Moung Thetshee, and for several months past a candidate for baptism, has arrived. He appears remarkably well. With but little opportunity of receiving instruction, he has made great progress in Christian knowledge and practice. His experience and heavenly-mindedness might, perhaps, put many a worldly-minded Christian to the blush. I know not, however, but he is a little like the disciple who said, "Lord, I will follow thee, but let me first go bid them farewell which are at home;" for he proposes to return home immediately, to harvest his grain, and then he will come and be

baptized. He will go early in the morning.

Oct. 24. Moung Khway has repented and come back to be baptized. He was probably induced to do so by meeting Ko-la-rai, (an infirm old man of sixty-five,) and Moung Kyah coming out from Moung So's village, to receive that blessed ordinance. Soon as they were assured of our arrival, they started off to obey their divine Lord. These three persons all applied for baptism last February.They have all given us very pleasing evidence of true piety. Is it not a proof of the power of God on the heart, that these persons, uninduced by any worldly prospects, should, in their old age, have given up the customs of their ancestors, and of all the people they ever knew, and should undertake, although decrepit, to traverse mountains, and rocks and hills and streams, fifty miles, to receive Christian bap. tism from a foreigner-a stranger? Moung So would have accompanied them out, but was hindered by the dangerous illness of his mother. Kothah-byoo, Moung Sek-kyee, and Shway Hmong, who went out two days ago, arrived this evening. We have spent the time since their arrival, in prayer, religious conversation, and the examination of the three candidates for baptism. They gave very general satisfaction, and were unanimously accepted as proper subjects for the ordinances of the gospel. Ma Hnen, a Tavoy woman who has been employed in our family, and has listened to Mrs. Boardman's instructions for several months, and has professed her faith in the Redeemer, and her desire to be baptized, was proposed this evening as a candidate.

25. Lord's-day Evening. We have had a very pleasant day. Our congregation was larger and more solemn than usual; and towards evening, as we proceeded, about thirty in number, to the baptizing tank, we were joined by twenty or thirty other persons; and the whole company having seated themselves on the grass near the brink of the tank, listened with very solemn attention to gospel truth. During the whole service, including a discourse, a prayer, and the administering of the ordinance to the three candidates, the utmost stillness and solemnity prevailed, and some remained on the spot to make further inquiries respecting the gospel. In the evening, we had, as usual on Lord's-day evenings, a meet

ing somewhat like the conference, or covenant meetings in America. Each member of the church mentions the state of his mind, his trials, fears and joys, with their respective causes. On this occasion, one of the persons just baptized seemed almost transported with joy. "I feel," he said, "as if I had almost arrived at the feet of Jesus." "Are you so near," I inquired, "that you do not wish to approach nearer ?" No," said he, "I wish to get nearer still." I inquired again, if he would not ere long grow weary, and wish to depart from the Saviour's feet? "No," he replied, "I wish to abide there for ever."

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31. A Burman doctor has spent this afternoon with me, mostly alone. He appeared more serious and docile than most persons of the learned class. At the close I prayed with him. X

Nov. 2. At an early hour the Burman doctor was at my study, seeking further instruction. He professes to be much impressed and pleased with what he has heard; and says he must give up his old religion," which," he says (significantly) "I have believed more than sixty years." "Very reasonable," I replied; "if you have found a better religion, why cleave to your old one ?" I hope this man will prove a chosen vessel.

12. This day the church observed as a season of fasting and prayer, preparatory to the participation of the Lord's supper, which I propose to administer on the approaching Sabbath. A good degree of solemnity and fervor characterized the prayers of the native Christians. Some of them profess, and appear to have enjoyed a solemn sense of divine things.

15. Lord's-day. Preached in the morning from the parable of the barren fig-tree that cumbered the ground; and at the close solemnly admonished Shway Kyo, for several recent unworthy acts, which I should perhaps have never known, had I not particularly enjoined it on all the church members, that if they knew of any sin in their brethren, they should be faithful to the offender, and not dare approach the Lord's table, suffering sin on a brother, without kindly and solemnly reproving him. So many things are found against Shway Kyo, that we thought best not to admit him to communion till he shall evince genuine repentance.

In the afternoon administered the Lord's supper, the first time for several months. We think that in order to

make these seasons profitable, it is desirable to devote a portion of the time previously to prayer, self-examination, Christian watchfulness, and brotherly reproof; and that one season in four months preceded by such a course of preparation, is more likely to prove useful, than when occurring monthly, without such preparation. The last three days have been devoted in a considerable degree to religious duties; and I trust we have found the benefit

of it. The present season has been very solemn and interesting.

GEO. D. BOARDMAN.

CHRISTIAN EFFORTS IN INDIA FOR DISSEMINATING THE GOSPEL.

It cannot fail to be cheering to the friends of Missions, to learn that plans for diffusing the gospel are originated and successfully prosecuted among converts to Christianity in the lands of heathen darkness. The hope of the church must be, that when the light of truth irradiates any land, there will be a heavenly ardor enkindled in the bosoms of the native residents, efficiently to prosecute the work, which commenced in the distant efforts of Christian philanthrophy. This happy result begins to be realized. Great numbers of native preachers are already engaged in disseminating the gospel to their countrymen at the different stations; multitudes of natives are employed as teachers in schools; and numerous Christian associations

are organized. We hear in Calcutta, of the Christian School Society, of Bible Associations, and various missionary efforts, from which the happiest results may be expected. A letter has been received by the Secretary of the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, signed by a number of young men, connected with the Baptist stations in Calcutta, who have associated for the purpose of promoting the spiritual welfare of Christian young men in that city. We have pleasure in the circumstance that they are thus engaged for the promo

tion of pure religion, in the immense population of Calcutta. The aid they request does not come definitely within the objects embraced by the Board of Missions: but we give publicity to the letter, for the purpose of placing the subject before the Christian community; and any sums which may be remitted by any individuals, for this object, will be cheerfully forwarded by the Treasurer of the Baptist Board for Foreign Missions.

To the Rev. Dr. Bolles, Corresponding Secretary to the Baptist Board for Foreign Missions, Salem. Rev. Sir,

The interest which we are assured

the Board takes in the diffusion of the gospel in all quarters of the globe, induces us to bring to your notice the concerns of the Calcutta Juvenile So

ciety-an association designed to promote the spiritual welfare of the Christian young men of this city, in order to solicit your aid towards carrying on its purposes more efficiently.

Our Society has as yet acted upon a small scale; and we have not been able to occupy much of the wide field that lies before us. The place in which we have hitherto assembled is very small, that would come, and in other respects unable to hold the number of persons inconvenient. Our friends have generally thought it desirable to have a more convenient meeting room; but we had not the means requisite for the accomplishment of this object. In considering the methods by which we could possibly remedy the defect, it was suggested by the Rev. W. Yates, has always assisted us with his counBaptist Missionary in this place, who sel and his help, that we should open a Building Fund, and endeavor to obtain contributions until a sum of money had been collected sufficient to defray the expense of a small pucka building contiguous to our present meetingroom. Following this plan we have solicited donations from February 1827; but up to this time our receipts have not much exceeded fifteen hundred Sicca rupees.

The amount realized being so small in proportion to the sum necessary, (about four times that amount) and seeing no prospect of obtaining a larger sum soon, we have found it necessary

to request the assistance of the friends of the Society beyond the ocean. We beg, therefore, that your Board will be pleased to afford us some aid for the completion of the important object we have in view.

We make this application with every hope of success, being encouraged to do so, both by the known liberality of Americans, and the cause for which we solicit aid. We have read here with mingled feelings of gratification and wonder, the immense exertions making in your highly favored country for the universal dissemination of Christianity; and amongst the other claims to your attention, we may be permitted to entertain the idea that you would not consider this Society undeserving of your help.

We hope that any assistance afforded to us will not be considered a misappropriation of missionary funds. For though our Society is not directly engaged in promoting the object of Missions, it will, we trust, be remotely useful in furthering that glorious cause, by raising up persons who, according to general acknowledgment, are best qualified for Missionaries to the heath

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First Annual Report of the First Baptist Maternal Society, Charlestown, Mass.

In presenting the first annual report of the First Baptist Maternal Society in this town, it becomes us to express our gratitude to our Heavenly Father for the blessings we have received during the year, particularly, that the lives, both of our members and our children have been preserved. One of our most useful members has been deprived from meeting with us, by sickness, excepting in one instance, since our organization.

A number of persons in our church have felt for several years the importance of a Maternal Association, and after much consultation and prayer, one has been established, which we feel assured has had a happy tendency in awakening the Christian mothers of this church to the great subject of their childrens' eternal interest. No mother can be too faithful in instilling into the young and tender hearts of her offspring, the principles of the blessed religion of our Lord Jesus Christprinciples which will guard them against the temptations to which they are daily exposed.

Fifty six members now constitute the Society, fifty three of whom belong to this church, and three to sister Baptist Churches in the vicinity. May we all realize that as Christian mothers we hold very responsible situations; and O may we pray without ceasing, that the divine blessing may rest upon our beloved children.

Through the blessing of God much good has resulted from our association, and many can say, Lord, thou hast heard our prayers,and answered our request. Our union we believe has been instrumental in the hand of God of awakening the attention of many, and leading them to the Lamb of God who bled and died on Calvary. Since the month of February last, a work of grace has prevailed among us as a people, and the members of this Maternal Society have sion and love of Christ to them, in callto rejoice in the wonderful condescening twelve of their children to rejoice in Christ and profess their subjection with us. to the mild sceptre of Immanuel, God The revival spread through the Church and Society; backsliders were reclaimed, and sinners were asking, What shall we do to be saved?

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