INTOLERANCE OF THE BURMAN GOVERNMENT.--FIRST EDIFICE FOR CHRISTIAN
WORSHIP ERECTED.--INSTRUCTION OF NATIVES.--CONVERSION OF A NATIVE.--HIS
BAPTISM.--THAT OF TWO TIMID DISCIPLES.--MESSRS. JUDSON AND COLMAN VISIT
AVA.
A few weeks after the return of Mr. Judson, the prospects of the Mission
were still further brightened by the arrival of Messrs. Colman and
Wheelock, who, with their wives, had been appointed by the Board in
America, Missionaries to Burmah. They were young men of good talents,
fervent piety, and extraordinary devotion to the object of evangelizing
the heathen.
Mr. Judson, considering himself sufficiently master of the language to
preach publicly, decided to build a small zayat, on a much frequented
road, where he could preach the gospel, and converse with any native who
might desire it, and where Mrs. Judson could meet female inquirers, and
hold a school for religious and other instruction. He knew that this
might draw upon them the displeasure of the higher powers, which had
hitherto favored them because of the privacy of their life, and their
small influence with the natives; for this government, as they
afterwards discovered, though remarkably tolerant to foreigners, is
highly intolerant to its own subjects in religious matters. Dr. Malcom
remarks: "Foreigners of every description are allowed the fullest
exercise of their religion. They may build places of worship in any
place, and have their public festivals and processions without
molestation. But no Burman may join any of these religions, under the
severest penalties. In nothing does the government more thoroughly
display its despotism, than in its measures for suppressing all
religious innovation, and supporting the established system.... The
whole population is thus held in chains, as iron-like as caste itself;
and to become a Christian openly, is to hazard everything, even life
itself." But the Missionaries not being at this time at all aware of the
rigor of this intolerance, resolved to make the attempt, and trust in
the Lord for protection.
In April, 1819, Mr. Judson preached in his new zayat to a congregation
of fifteen or twenty persons, most of them entirely inattentive and
disorderly. But feeble as was this beginning, it was regarded by the
missionaries as an event of no ordinary importance. Here was the first
altar ever erected for the worship of the true God in that country over
which century after century had rolled, each sweeping its millions of
idolaters into eternity; and rude and lowly as were its walls, compared
with the magnificent temples that surrounded it, it was perhaps the
fitter emblem of that spiritual religion which delights not in temples
made with hands, but in the service of the heart, 'which is in the sight
of God of great price.'
The building, which they called a _zayat_ from its similarity to the
public buildings of that name in Burmah, had three apartments; the first
a mere verandah thatched with bamboo, open to the road, and the place
where Mr. Judson received all occasional visitors and inquirers; the
second or middle one, a large airy room, occupied on Sundays for
preaching and on week days as a school-room; and the last division, a
mere entry opening into the garden leading to the mission-house. During
the week Mrs. Judson occupied the middle room, giving instruction in
reading, &c., to a class of males and females; and also in conversing
with female inquirers. Here she also studied the Siamese language, much
spoken in Rangoon, and translated into that language a catechism, and
the Gospel of Matthew.
The 30th of April, 1819, was made memorable by the first visit of an
inquirer who became a convert to the Christian faith. On the
5th of May Mr. Judson says in his journal, "It seems almost too much to
believe that God has begun to manifest his grace to the Burmans, but
this day I could not resist the delightful conviction that this is
really the case. Praise and glory to his name for evermore.
Amen."
From this time we learn from Mr. Judson's journal, that the verandah of
the zayat where he sat to receive visitors, was constantly thronged with
natives, who, impelled, some by curiosity and idleness, and some by
better motives, came to talk about the new religion. So much however was
to be dreaded, in the opinion of most of these, from the "lord of life
and death," as they called the emperor, that few dared follow out their
convictions. Moung Nau, however, the convert above mentioned, adhered
steadfastly to his now faith, and desired baptism. Not having any doubt
of the reality of his conversion, Mr. Judson administered the ordinance
to him on Sunday, June 21. On the following Lord's day, the missionaries
had the unspeakable satisfaction of sitting down at the Lord's table for
the first time with a converted Burman; and as Mr. Judson writes, he had
the privilege to which he had been looking forward many years, of
administering the communion in two languages.
Many of the expressions of this young convert are very interesting. We
find them in a letter from Mrs. Judson. "In our religion there is no way
to escape the punishment due to sin; but according to the religion of
Christ, he himself has died in order to deliver his disciples. How great
are my thanks to Jesus Christ for sending teachers to this country! and
how great are my thanks to the teachers for coming!" On hearing the
fifth chapter of Matthew read, he said "These words take hold on my very
heart, they make me tremble. Here God commands us to do everything that
is good in secret, and not to be seen of men. How unlike our religion is
this! When Burmans make offerings to the pagodas they make a great noise
with drums and musical instruments that others may see how good they
are. But this religion makes the mind fear God; it makes it of its own
accord fear sin."
In the same letter she mentions a very interesting meeting with the
females before mentioned, fifteen in number, who had for some time
received from her religious instruction. Their love for, and confidence
in their own religion seemed to be taken away; the truth seemed to have
forced itself upon their understandings; but the sinfulness of their
hearts, which among heathen as well as Christian nations is the great
obstacle to salvation, could only be removed by the Holy Spirit, and oh
how earnest and fervent were the prayers of their teacher for the
presence of that heavenly agent!
Mr. Wheelock, one of the recently arrived missionaries, was obliged on
account of his failing health to try a sea-voyage; but during the
passage to Bengal, in a paroxysm of fever and delirium, he threw himself
overboard and was drowned.
Some of the inquirers at the zayat had no inconsiderable powers of
reasoning and argument; one in particular, named Moung-Shwa-gnong; who
would spend whole days at the zayat, and engage Mr. Judson in endless
discussions.--Not satisfied with the Buddhist faith he had become a
confirmed skeptic, and disputed every Gospel truth before he received it
with much subtilty and ingenuity. But after a while he found that his
visits at the zayat had attracted the notice of Government, that the
viceroy on being told he had renounced the religion of his country, had
said, 'Inquire further about him,' and the missionaries for a time saw
him no more.
The two candidates that next presented themselves for baptism, were
urgent that the ordinance should be performed, not absolutely in
private, but at sunset and away from public observation. The
missionaries discussed their case long with them and with each other.
Mr. Judson's remarks on the subject, as well as his description of the
baptism, are so full of that tenderness and pathos which is eminently a
'fruit of the Spirit,' that we must give them in his own words.
"We felt satisfied that they were humble disciples of Jesus, and were
desirous of receiving this ordinance purely out of regard to his
command, and their own spiritual welfare; we felt that we were all
equally exposed to danger, and needed a spirit of mutual candor and
forbearance, and sympathy; we were convinced; that they were influenced
rather by desires of avoiding unnecessary exposure, than by that sinful
fear which would plunge them into apostasy in the hour of trial; and
when they assured us that if actually brought before government, they
could not think of denying their Saviour, we could not conscientiously
refuse their request, and therefore agreed to have them baptized
to-morrow at sunset." "7. Lord's day. We had worship as usual and the
people dispersed. About half an hour before sunset the two candidates
came to the zayat, accompanied by three or four of their friends; and
after a short prayer we proceeded to the spot where Moung-Nau was
formerly baptized. The sun was not allowed to look on the humble, timid
profession. No wondering crowd crowned the overshadowing hill. No hymn
of praise expressed the exulting feeling of joyous hearts. Stillness and
solemnity pervaded the scene. We felt, on the banks of the water, as a
little, feeble, solitary band. But perhaps some hovering angels took
note of the event with more interest than they witnessed the late
coronation; perhaps Jesus looked down on us, pitied and forgave our
weaknesses, and marked us for his own; perhaps if we deny him not, he
will acknowledge us another day, more publicly than we venture at
present to acknowledge him."
There was a great falling off in the attendance at the zayat after
Moung-shwa-gnong's defection. None dared call to inquire from religious
principle, and curiosity respecting the religion had been fully
gratified. It became highly desirable to take some measures to secure
the favor of the emperor. If he could be made propitious, the converts
and the missionaries would have nothing to fear. Messrs. Judson and
Colman, therefore, leaving their families at Rangoon, set out on their
visit to Ava, to lay their case--as a Burman would express it--before
'the golden feet.' They carried with them, as presents to his majesty,
the Bible, in six volumes, covered with gold leaf in the Burman
style, each volume enclosed in a rich wrapper; and many other articles
as presents to the different members of the government.