RECEPTION OF MESSRS. COLMAN AND JUDSON AT AVA.--THEIR RETURN TO
RANGOON.--THEIR RESOLUTION TO LEAVE RANGOON.--OPPOSITION OF DISCIPLES TO
THIS MEASURE.--INCREASE OF DISCIPLES.--THEIR STEADFASTNESS.--FAILURE OF
MRS. JUDSON'S HEALTH.
The passage up the Irrawaddy to Ava, or rather Amerapoora, which was
then the capital, was made in safety in a little more than thirty days.
They soon found the house of their old friend the former viceroy of
Rangoon, who now enjoyed a high post under government. Here they were
kindly received, and promised a speedy presentation to the "golden
face," _i.e._ the emperor.
The next day, Moung Yo, a favorite officer of the viceroy, came to take
them to the imperial palace. He first introduced them to the private
minister of state, who met them very pleasantly, received their
presents, and a petition they had prepared to the emperor, which latter
he was examining when some one announced that the 'golden foot' was
about to advance; when the minister hastily rose up, put on his
state-robes, and prepared to present them to the emperor. They were
conducted through various splendor and parade, up a flight of steps into
a magnificent hall. Mr. Judson says "The scene to which we were now
introduced, really surpassed our expectation. The spacious extent of the
hall, the number and magnitude of the pillars, the height of the dome,
the whole completely covered with gold, presented a most grand and
imposing spectacle. Very few were present, and those evidently great
officers of state. Our situation prevented us from seeing the further
avenue of the hall, but the end where we sat opened into the parade
which the emperor was about to inspect.
"We remained about five minutes, when every one put himself into the
most respectful attitude, and Moung Yo whispered that his majesty had
entered. We looked through the hall as far as the pillars would allow,
and presently caught sight of this modern Ahasuerus. He came forward,
unattended--in solitary grandeur--exhibiting the proud gait and majesty
of an eastern monarch. His dress was rich but not distinctive, and he
carried in his hand the gold-sheathed sword, which seems to have taken
the place of the sceptre of ancient times. But it was his high aspect
and commanding eye, that chiefly rivetted our attention. He strided on.
Every head excepting ours, was now in the dust. We remained kneeling,
our hands folded, our eyes fixed on the Monarch. When he drew near, we
caught his attention. He stopped, partly turned towards us--'Who are
these?' 'The teachers, great King,' I replied. 'What, you speak
Burman?--the priests that I heard of last night? When did you arrive?
Are you teachers of religion? Are you married? Why do you dress so?'
These and other similar questions we answered; when he appeared to be
pleased with us, and sat down on an elevated seat--his hand resting on
the hilt of his sword, and his eyes intently fixed on us."
Moung Zah now read their petition, which set forth that they were
teachers of the religion of their country, and begged the royal
permission to teach the same in his dominions; and also prayed that no
Burman might be subjected to molestation from government for listening
to or embracing that religion; and the emperor after hearing it, took it
himself, read it through and handed it back without saying a word. In
the meantime Mr. Judson had given Moung Zah an abridged copy of the
tract called a "Summary of Christian Doctrine," which had been got up in
the richest style and dress possible. The emperor took the tract "Our
hearts," says Mr. J., "now rose to God for a display of his grace. Oh
have mercy on Burmah! Have mercy on her king!" But alas! the time had
not yet come. He held the tract long enough to read the two first
sentences, which assert that there is one eternal God, who is
independent of the incidents of mortality and that besides him, there is
no God; and then with an air of indifference, perhaps disdain, he dashed
it down to the ground! Moung Zah stooped forward, picked it up and
handed it to us. Moung Yo made a slight attempt to save us by unfolding
one of the volumes which composed our present and displaying its beauty,
but his majesty took no notice. Our fate was decided. After a few
moments Moung Zah interpreted his royal master's will in the following
terms: "In regard to the objects of your petition, his majesty gives no
order. In regard to your sacred books, his majesty has no use for
them--take them away." ... "He then rose from his seat, strode on to the
end of the hall, and there, after having dashed to the ground the first
intelligence he had ever received of the eternal God, his Maker,
Preserver, his Judge, he threw himself down on a cushion, and lay
listening to the music, and gazing at the parade spread out before him."
They and their presents were then hurried away with little ceremony. The
next day they "ascertained beyond a doubt, that the policy of the Burman
government is precisely the same as the Chinese; that it is quite out of
the question whether any subjects of the emperor who embrace a religion
different from his own, will be exempt from punishment; and that we, in
presenting a petition to that effect, had been guilty of a most
egregious blunder,--an unpardonable offence."
We cannot prevail on ourselves to give the sequel of this narrative in
any other than the beautiful and picturesque language of Mr. Judson
which we have so often quoted.
"It was now evening. We had four miles to walk by moonlight. Two of our
disciples only followed us. They had pressed as near as they ventured to
the door of the hall of audience, and listened to words which sealed the
extinction of their hopes and ours. For some time we spoke not.
'Some natural tears we dropped, but wiped them soon.
Tho world was all before us, where to choose
Our place of rest, and Providence our guide.'
And as our first parents took their solitary way through Eden, so we
took our way through this great city.
"Arrived at the boat, we threw ourselves down, exhausted in body and
mind. For three days we had walked eight miles a day, the most of the
way in the heat of the sun, which in the interior of these countries is
exceedingly oppressive; and the result of our toils and travels has
been--the wisest and best possible--a result, which, if we could see the
end from the beginning, would call forth our highest praise. O slow of
heart to believe and trust in the over-ruling agency of our own Almighty
Saviour!"
They returned to Rangoon by an easy and rapid passage down the river,
and calling the few disciples together frankly disclosed to them the
result of their mission. To their surprise and delight it only increased
their zeal and attachment for the religion they had professed. They
became in turn the comforters of the missionaries, vieing with each
other in trying to convince them that the cause was not yet desperate.
Above all were they solicitous that the missionaries should not carry
out a design they had formed to leave them, and try to find a field more
favorable for their labors. One assured them he would follow them to the
end of the world. Another, who having an unconverted wife, could not
follow them, declared that if left there alone, he would perform no
other duties but those of Christ's religion.
But what had most weight with Mr. and Mrs. Judson in inducing them to
remain, was the fact that inquiry seemed to be spreading in the
neighborhood, and that there seemed a further prospect of usefulness, in
spite of the fear of persecution. They therefore concluded to remain for
the present at Rangoon; while Mr. and Mrs. Colman should proceed to
Arracan and form a station there.
Thus again were Mr. and Mrs. J. alone; but not now exclusively among
heathen idolaters. The affectionate zeal of the disciples rejoiced their
hearts; and others, and among them the old disputant, Moung-Shwa-gnong,
seemed sincere and hopeful inquirers. Three women, induced by him, also
visited Mrs. Judson to learn the way of life. One of these (the one we
have before alluded to) was characterized by superior discernment and
mental power, but exceedingly timid through fear of persecution. In one
of her conversations she expressed her surprise that the effect of the
religion of Christ upon her mind was to make her love his disciples more
than her dearest natural relations. This showed that she was a real
disciple, though a timid one. But surely it is not for us who sit under
our own vine with none to make us afraid, to be severe on these poor
heathen, for not at once overcoming the dread of suffering, so natural
to the human heart! Before we judge them, let us be very sure that _our_
faith would endure the fires of persecution and even of martyrdom which
threatened them. They knew of instances where their countrymen who had
embraced the _Roman Catholic_ faith, had been subjected to the
punishment of the iron-mall, an instrument of torture more dreadful than
any employed against the Scottish Covenanters, in the times of their
bitterest persecution. Sudden execution they might have braved, though
that will appal almost any heart; but lingering torture was what they
might fear, to which death should succeed only when nature could bear
no more.
Females in Christian countries, who think much of your self-denials and
sacrifices, when
'A moment's pain, a passing shower,
Is all the grief ye share,'
how could _your_ hearts endure if called to such trials, as might at any
moment befall your poor sisters in Burmah!
Mrs. Judson's health had for some time been failing, and at length after
having gone through two courses of salivation for the liver-complaint,
she was obliged to try a sea-voyage. Her situation was too critical for
her to think of going alone, and Mr. Judson concluded to accompany her
to Bengal. Two converts expressed the strongest desire to profess
Christ, before the missionaries should leave them. They were accordingly
baptized. The ship being detained, the speculative, hesitating, but now
sincere disciple, Moung Shwa-gnong, casting aside his fears and
scruples, boldly avowed his faith, and desired baptism. Of course he was
joyfully received. The scene at his baptism had such an effect upon Mah
Meulah, the female who has been before mentioned, that she too could no
longer delay a public profession of faith in Christ. On returning to the
house after receiving the rite, she said, "Now I have taken the oath of
allegiance to Jesus Christ, and I have nothing to do but to commit
myself, soul and body, into the hands of my Lord, assured that he will
never suffer me to fall away!"
Surely if no other proof existed of the power of gospel truth to renew
the heart of men, a sufficient one would be furnished here. In the face
of threatened persecution not only were old converts strengthened in
their faith in, and attachment to Christ, but new ones eagerly pressed
forward to unite themselves with the despised and humble flock.
Nine males and one female had now been baptized at the hazard of their
lives; a grammar and dictionary had been compiled and printed; a portion
of the Scriptures translated and printed; tracts had been issued; and so
greatly had the missionaries gained in favor with the people, that as
they went down to the ship which was to carry them to Bengal, more than
a hundred natives followed them, testifying sincere grief at their
departure.