denomination to a degree of zeal and effort, commensurate with their numbers and their increasing power.

'The Mission has been very successful. It is true, that it has been impeded by intolerance; interrupted by sickness and by war; and weakened by the death of five Missionaries. But these events show, the more plainly, how great has been the success of the mission, notwithstanding the untoward incidents, which have checked and annoyed it. If we take the number of converts only, as the measure of its success, we may safely affirm, that few missions in modern times have accomplished more in the same period, and with the same means. Twenty-six persons have been baptized, and with one or two exceptions, have proved, by the uprightness and purity of their conduct, the sincerity of their profession; and this, too, notwithstanding their frequent separations from their teachers, and their consequent dispersion among idolaters. The mission has been established about sixteen years, during two of which its operations were wholly suspended by the war. Have not some ministers preached the Gospel, in this country, for an equal length of time, with all the advantages of a common language, of Sabbaths, Bibles, tracts, and the numberless other auxiliaries to the ministry in a Christian land, without the conversion of a greater number of individuals than Mr Judson has baptized in Burmah? Several of the converts have died in faith and hope. If one soul be more valuable than worlds, would not the conversion of Mah Men-la alone, have been worth all the expense, toil, and suffering, which have hitherto attended the Burman mission?

But the number of conversions is not the proper guage. In the establishment of a mission, there is much to be done, in laying its foundations. The language is to be acquired, the habits and feelings of the natives are to be learned; the Scriptures are to be translated; tracts are to be written and printed; and the other weapons of the Christian warfare are to be collected and prepared, before a Missionary can make a successful onset upon the strong holds of Satan, in a heathen land. The first Missionaries, therefore, must necessarily be pioneers, to remove the obstructions, and make strait in the desert a highway for their successors.

Mr Judson has performed this service for the Burman mission. He has thoroughly acquired the language, and has prepared a Grammar and Dictionary, by the aid of which future Missionaries will be enabled in a brief period to qualify themselves to preach the Gospel. The New Testament is translated, and portions of it have been printed and circulated. The Old Testament is now in the hands of Mr Judson, and will be completed as soon as possible. Thousands of tracts have been distributed. Four Missionaries, besides Mr Judson, have obtained a sufficient knowledge of the language, to hold intercourse with the natives, and are now actively engaged in their schools and zayats. One of the native converts has been licensed as a preacher, and two or three others exhibit encouraging evidence of good gifts for the ministry. Above all, a Christian church has been gathered, composed of converted Burmans, and built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone. Has not God, then, given great success to the Burman mission?

"There is an inviting field for Missions in Burmah.-The experiment has been tried, and it has been proved, that the truths of the Gospel can triumph over the errors and subtleties of Burman minds, and the levity, deceitfulness, and sensuality of their hearts. It is no longer a question, whether the Burmans can become sincere disciples of Christ.

The learned and acute Moung Shwa-gnong, and the ignorant and simple hearted Moung Shwa-ba, have bowed at the foot of the cross. The principles of Boodhism have been arrayed against the doctrines of the Gospel, with all the force of ardent zeal, and subtle argument; but the truth as it is in Jesus, has pierced like a two-edged sword through the joints and marrow of the system, and its discomfited advocates have retired abashed, if not persuaded. We may be assured, then, that if the Gospel be preached in Burmah, with the usual blessing of the Holy Spirit, it will become the power of God, to the salvation of the natives.

'Another encouraging circumstance is, that there is not, in Burmah, a very strong attachment to the prevailing religion. A system, like that of Boodh, which differs little in effect from absolute atheism, cannot obtain a firm hold either of the mind or heart. Its doctrines are at war with the suggestions of reason, and the testimony of the material creation. The first principles of Boodhism rest on so frail a basis, that the simple announcement of the doctrine of an eternal God is sufficient to subvert it. Moung Shwa-gnong declared, that the instant he heard this doctrine he believed it. Mr Judson ascertained, that a wide-spread scepticism, in reference to Boodhism, exists among the educated classes in Burmah. The system is destitute of objects to fill and dazzle the imagination; and of motives to touch the heart. The sacred books are sealed from the eyes of all but the learned and the priesthood, by the secrecy of a learned language; and little is known, by the people, of the established religion, except its popular fables, and its external rites. Gaudama is indeed worshipped, and his images are found in the pagodas and in private dwellings. But there is not that variety of deities which gave to the idolatry of Greece and Rome, as it now does to that of China and Hindostan, its poetic attraction to cultivated minds; nor that connexion with all the objects of nature, with the heavens, the mountains, the rivers and the groves, which brought it home to the daily business and the bosoms of the common people. The cast that exists in Hindostan, and which constitutes one of the firmest bulwarks with which Satan has fortified the strong holds of idolatry, is not found in Burmah. The Gospel, therefore, has nothing to resist it, in the heart of a Burman, beyond the ordinary depravity of man, except the shadowy abstractions of Boodhism, which has no great, intelligible doctrines to expand and satisfy his mind; no consoling truths and definite hopes to cheer his heart. It is, for these reasons, confidently asserted by travellers, that the king might, by a simple decree, sweep away at once the whole system of Boodhism.

'There is, then, ample encouragement to preach the Gospel in Burmah; and there is now an opportunity for the introduction of any number of Missionaries who may be sent thither. There is, at present, no station within the territories actually under the sway of the Burman monarch; but there are millions of persons in the provinces ceded to the English, to whom access may be obtained, without difficulty or danger. The station at Maulaming is a central point, where Missionaries may study the language, under the immediate tuition of Mr Judson, and may prepare themselves for their duties; and from which the Scriptures and tracts may be circulated in Burmah Proper. And there is reason to hope, that missionary stations may be soon formed, and the Gospel safely and successfully preached, within the Burman territories.

This field belongs appropriately to the American Baptist churches.Those who have traced the history of the mission, must have seen

many wonderful tokens of the divine will, that the American Baptist churches should be intrusted with the service of converting the Burman Empire to the Christian faith. The voice of Providence on this point cannot be mistaken. These churches are responsible to God for the support, enlargement, and vigorous prosecution of this mission. They are responsible to the Christian world. Other denominations of Christians have chosen their posts of labor. They have left the Burman Empire to us, and they require us to do our duty, or yield our place to others, who will serve our common Master more faithfully. Will our churches shrink from this responsibility? Will they be false to their trust? They have abundant means at their command. There are more than four thousand Baptist churches in the United States. Can there not, then, be adequate funds furnished? Are there not among the ministers of our denomination, and the young men at our Academies and Colleges, some who will devote themselves to the service of their Redeemer in Burmah? Are there no more Colmans and Wheelocks, whose hearts burn within them, to proclaim to the dying idolaters of Burmah, the unsearchable riches of Christ? Are there, among our sisters, none who will follow Mrs Judson to the heathen world, and there offer their lives as a willing sacrifice, that they may teach the Burmans the way of eternal life?

"The mission ought to be reinforced without delay. Nearly a year has elapsed, since the Board of Missions resolved to send three Missionaries and a printer to Burmah. A printer, Mr Cephas Bennett, of Utica, N. Y. has been appointed; but no Missionaries have yet presented themselves. Meanwhile, tidings of the death of one of the little band in Burmah have reached us. A new station has been established, and other stations might be occupied, were there laborers to enter the whitening fields. Thousands of Burmans are dying every year, without hope. The Gospel of Christ can save them. Shall they not have it? Baptists of America! to you it belongs to answer this question.

'We forbear to inquire, whether it may not have been the design of God, in committing the Burman mission to us, to establish in that Empire churches, resembling in their construction, their doctrines and their rites, those which the Apostles founded; and like them, to be models for the churches which may hereafter be formed in that Empire, and in the neighboring nations. And whether there may not have been a similar end in view-the spread of the pure truth of Godin confiding to our brethren, Dr Carey and Mr Judson, the high duty of preparing the Scriptures for so large a portion of the eastern world.

'We have stated the necessity for an additional number of Missionaries. Money, also, is wanted, to print the Scriptures. A printer and a press will be sent to Burmah without delay; and the printing of the Scriptures will be immediately commenced. Tracts, too, may be printed, and circulated, without any limit, except that of the funds which may be furnished. This is one of the easiest and most successful methods of spreading the truths of the Gospel in Burmah. The history of the mission shows the beneficial influence of tracts. The first inquirer was drawn to the zayat by a tract; and Mah Menla, the most valuable female convert, received her first impressions from a tract. The ability to read is very common; and tracts, if circulated, will be read. Several societies, auxiliary to the Baptist General Tract Society, have been formed, in this country, for the purpose of aiding the printing of Burman tracts; and it is hoped, that ample funds may be furnished for this purpose.

'But while we plead the claims of the Burman mission on the prayers and the liberality of our churches, we would not be understood to imply, that no other portion of the great moral waste demands the attention of our denomination. On the contrary, we hesitate not to express our decided opinion, that the missionary efforts by the Baptist churches in this country ought to be immediately increased. Besides the existing missions among the aborigines, and at Liberia, new stations ought to be established. Greece, South America, China, and other countries, invite our labors. According to the lowest computation of the numbers of the human family, upwards of four hundred millions of our fellow men are idolaters or Mahometans. The largest and fairest regions of the earth are yet under the dominion of superstition, and its manifold miseries. By whom is the Gospel to be preached to these millions of human beings; and these dark places of the earth to be recovered to the dominion of the King of Zion? Plainly, it must be done by the Christian church. And will so large a part of that church, as the American Baptists, be contented with supporting nine or ten ordained Missionaries, and expending from twelve to twenty thousand dollars per annum, to spread the knowledge of the Saviour? Why should we, who number so great a portion of the Christian host, come up to the help of the Lord, with a force and zeal, so inadequate to the wants of a world lying in wickedness so disproportionate to the strength of the denomination? 'Brethren, let us resolve, that we will neglect our duty no longer. Churches of Christ! remember that you are not your own. He who purchased you with his blood, calls on you to engage in this glorious enterprise, with the full measure of your ability: and to advance, with united hearts, and concentrated energies, like an army with banners, to fight the battles of the Lord, until the kingdoms of this world shall have become the kingdom of Immanuel,

And every kindred, every tribe,

On this terrestrial ball,

To him all majesty ascribe,

And crown him Lord of all.'

Since the preceding was in type we have received a letter, dated the 9th of August, from Mr Boardman, who is stationed at Tavoy, a city in one of the southern provinces of Burmah. He says, 'The last fortnight has been among the happiest of my life. Besides having heard twice from my dear native land that our friends are well, and that the Lord is still visiting the churches with plentiful showers of his grace, and exciting his people to labor and pray for the diffusion of gospel blessings throughout all lands, I have had the satisfaction of baptizing two persons-the first fruits of the mission to this place. One of them is a very intelligent and amiable Chinese youth, who, amidst opposition and scorn from his countrymen, who are numerous here, has ventured to renounce his vain idols, and put on the Lord Jesus Christ. The other person is a learned Burman, who, in respect to intellectual powers, eloquence, and acquaintance with the Burman scriptures, is excelled by few men in town. The opposition which he has experienced from his

countrymen is most violent and abusive; but he says calmly, 'I re gard not their opposition nor their hatred. I have examined for myself, and my mind is decided. If they revile me, let them revile; if they will kill, let them kill. I fear not death. I will love and pray for my enemies.'

The ordinance was administered last Lord's day, in a tank adjacent to a venerated pagoda, which points its spire of gilded blasphemy towards the heavens. You can imagine better than I can describe the joy occasioned by this event. I am happy to add that the attention to Christian instruction is evidently increasing.

'But I have not told you the whole occasion of our joy. Yesterday we received letters from Maulaming containing the cheering intelligence, that the Holy Spirit is poured out on that station; that five persons were recently baptized there, and several more gave good evidence of true grace. The influences of the Spirit seem to be felt more particularly in the girls' school, which, while we were all together at Maulaming, was under the united management of Mrs Wade and my beloved partner. Several of the children have obtained a hope of pardoning grace, two of whom are among the baptized. O what thanks are due to the blessed Redeemer for such displays of his grace. Our hearts are full; but still long for more.

'You have doubtless heard that according to the latest intelligence from Rangoon, fifteen persons there, without enjoying the labors of a foreign missionary, have recently avowed their belief in Christ, and their desire to be baptized.

'Unite with us, dear brethren, in the most devout thanksgiving to that God, who, after hiding himself so long behind a cloud of mysterious and afflictive events, is now shining forth in his majesty and grace.'

THE LORD'S PRAYER

VERSIFIED IN THE SHORTEST COMPASS, BY ONE OF THE MISSIONARIES WHILE IN PRISON AT AVA, MARCH, 1825.

OUR Father God, who art in heaven!
All hallow'd be thy name;

Thy kingdom come; thy will be done,
In earth and heaven the same.

Give us this day, our daily bread;
And as we those forgive,
Who sin against us, so may we
Forgiving grace receive.

Into temptation lead us not;

From evil set us free;

And thine the kingdom, thine the power,
And glory ever be.