MISSIONARY LABORS.--FEMALE INTELLECT IN BURMAH.--DESCRIPTION OF A
PAGODA, OF BURMAN WORSHIP AND OFFERINGS.
A circumstance still more cheering to the hearts of the missionaries
than even the arrival of companions from their beloved native land, was
a visit of a Burman who having read the "two little books" from the
press of Mr. Hough, came to inquire further into the new religion. When
Mr. Judson first heard from the lips of an idolater the confession that
"God is a Being without beginning or end, not subject to old age or
death, but who always is,"--his feelings were indescribable and
overpowering. Here at length was a germination of that seed they had so
long been sowing in tears! For if one heathen heart could be thus led by
the Spirit to investigate the truth, why not more.--Why not many? and
why might not the same Spirit lead them to him who is not only the
truth, but the way,--the way to Heaven?
They soon received visits from other Burmans who had seen the tracts
issued by them; and who seemed desirous of learning the truth, but still
very fearful of being known as inquirers. It became necessary therefore
to seek the patronage of the government, and Mr. Judson determined, so
soon as he should have finished his dictionary of the language, to
proceed to Ava, the residence of the emperor.
Mrs. Judson met every Sabbath a society of fifteen or twenty females, to
whom she read the Scriptures, and talked about God. They were attentive,
and willing to ask and answer questions, but for a long time experienced
no abiding convictions of sin or of duty. Some were willing to serve
Christ if they could do it without renouncing dependence on their own
merits. Others would serve God, if they might serve Gaudama also.
As there is a tendency in enlightened minds to feel a contempt for the
intellect of barbarians; and as some have even felt that time spent as
Mrs. Judson's was with those native females, was thrown away, we will
here record her testimony to the intelligence of the Burmese women. "The
females of this country are lively, inquisitive, strong and energetic,
susceptible of friendship and the warmest attachment, and possess minds
capable of rising to the highest state of cultivation and refinement....
This is evident from their mode of conversing," and may be illustrated
by some particulars in the experience of one of them, named May-Meulah.
Previous to the arrival of the missionaries in her country, her active
mind was led to inquire the origin of all things. Who created all that
her eyes beheld? She inquired of all she met, and visited priests and
teachers in vain; and such was her anxiety, that her friends feared for
her reason. She resolved to learn to read, that she might consult the
sacred books. Her husband, willing to gratify her curiosity, taught her
to read himself. In their sacred literature she found nothing
satisfactory. For ten years she prosecuted her inquiries, when God in
his providence brought to her notice a tract written by Mr. Judson in
the Burmese language, which so far solved her difficulties, that she was
led to seek out its author. From him she learned the truths of the
gospel, and by the Holy Spirit those truths were made the means of her
conversion. "She became an ornament to her profession, and her daily
walk and conversation would shame many professors in Christian
countries."
Christians in America, was Mrs. Judson's time thrown away, when she was
leading Burmese females to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus?
One of the most splendid buildings in the empire is a pagoda at Rangoon,
in which is enshrined a relic of Gaudama. At this pagoda, a yearly feast
is celebrated which lasts three days, and draws people together from all
parts of the country.
Mrs. Judson says--"If Dr. Young could have seen the devotion of this
people to their idolatry, he might well have exclaimed, 'O for a heathen
zeal in Christian hearts!' Even while I am writing my ears are stunned
with the noise and confusion of preparation for an approaching festival.
Could you, my dear sir, but once witness this annual feast, could you
behold the enthusiasm of their devotions, you would readily admit that
nothing short of an Almighty arm could break down these strong barriers,
and cause the introduction of the gospel."
The pagoda itself is thus described by Dr. Malcom.
"Two miles from Rangoon stands the celebrated pagoda called
Shooda-gôn. It stands upon a small hill surmounted by many smaller
pagodas, and many noble trees. The hill has been graduated into
successive terraces, sustained by brick walls; and the summit, which is
completely leveled, contains about two acres.
"The two principal approaches from the city are lined on each side, for
a mile, with fine pagodas, some almost vieing for size with Shoodagon
itself. Passing these, on your way from the city, you come to a flight
of time-worn steps, covered by a curious arcade of little houses of
various forms and sizes, some in partial decay, others truly beautiful.
After crossing some terraces, covered in the same manner, you reach the
top and passing a great gate, enter at once this sad but imposing
theatre of Gaudama's glory. One's first impressions are, what _terrible_
grandeur; what _sickening_ magnificence; what absurd imagery; what
extravagant expenditure; what long successions of devotees to procure
this throng of buildings of such various dates; what a poor religion
which makes such labors its chief meritoriousness! Before you, stands
the huge Shoodagon, its top among the clouds, and its golden sides
blazing in the glories of an eastern sun. Around are pompous zayats,
noble pavements, Gothic mausoleums, uncouth colossal lions, curious
stone umbrellas, graceful cylindrical banners of gold-embroidered muslin
hanging from lofty pillars, enormous stone jars in rows to receive
offerings, tapers burning before the images, exquisite flowers displayed
on every side filling the air with fragrance, and a multitude of carved
figures of idols, griffins, guardians, &c.
"Always in the morning, men and women are seen in every direction
kneeling behind their gift, and with uplifted hands reciting their
devotions, often with a string of beads counting over each repetition;
aged persons sweep out every place, or pick out the grass from the
crevices; dogs and crows struggle around the altars, and devour the
recent offerings; the great bells utter their frequent tones; and the
mutter of praying voices makes a hum like the buzzing of an exchange.
"Every worshipper brings a present, often a bunch of flowers or a few
green twigs plucked on the way; but generally the nicest eatables ready
cooked, beautiful bunches of flowers, articles of raiment, &c. The
amount of offerings here is very great. Stone vases, some of which will
hold fifty or sixty gallons, stand round the pagoda, into which the
devotees carefully lay their leafy plates of rice, plantain, cakes, &c.
As these are successively filled, appointed persons empty them into
their vessels, carefully assorting the various kinds. The beautiful
flowers remain all night and are swept out in the morning. No one ever
objected however to my gathering them at pleasure. A gift once deposited
is no more regarded by the worshipper." "I could not but feel as I gazed
upon the rich landscape and bright heavens, and marked the joy of the
young men and maidens as they passed on, that he who has so long
forborne with them, will in his abundant mercy, give them pastors after
his own heart, who shall feed them with knowledge and understanding."
After reading this description, who can wonder at the difficulty of
turning this semi-barbarous people from a religion of such a gorgeous
and imposing ceremonial, and of such perfect congeniality with the
unhumbled heart, to the spiritual, self-denying, pride-abasing
doctrines of the cross?
Mrs. Judson in a letter to a friend, mentions the splendor and
costliness of some of the religious offerings, one of which cost three
thousand tickals, or twelve hundred dollars. After a description of the
pagoda and its worshippers, she says: "The ground on which the pagoda is
situated, commands a view of the surrounding country, which presents one
of the most beautiful landscapes in nature. The polished spires of the
pagodas, glistening among the trees at a distance, appear like the
steeples of meeting-houses in our American seaports. The verdant
appearance of the country, the hills and valleys, ponds and rivers, the
banks of which are covered with cattle and fields of rice; each in turn
attract the eye, and cause the beholder to exclaim, "Was this delightful
country made to be the residence of idolaters?" ... Oh my friend, scenes
like these, productive of feelings so various and so opposite, do
notwithstanding, fire the soul with an unconquerable desire to rescue
this people from destruction, and lead them to the Rock that is higher
than they."
* * * * *
Under date of January 18, 1818, Mrs. Judson writes that they still live
quietly, unmolested by government, and that they receive much respect
and affection from the Viceroy and his family. She had some
opportunities of private religious conversation with the Vicereine, to
whom she presented a translation of Matthew's Gospel and a catechism.
Still the heart of the lady appeared unaffected, though she ordered her
daughters to be instructed in the new catechism. The inquirer who was
mentioned as having afforded Mr. Judson such lively satisfaction, had
been appointed to a government in a distant province, so that they saw
little of him, but were gratified to learn that his interest in
religious books still continued.