MESSRS. JUDSON AND PRICE VISIT AVA.--THEIR RECEPTION AT COURT.--THEIR
RETURN TO RANGOON.--MRS. JUDSON'S RETURN.--A LETTER TO HER PARENTS
DESCRIBING THEIR REMOVAL TO AVA.--DESCRIPTION OF AVA.
It was mentioned that during Mrs. Judson's absence from Burmah, Dr.
Price, the fame of whose medical skill had reached the 'golden ears,'
had been ordered to Ava, and that Mr. Judson had determined to make
another attempt to procure toleration for the Christians by a second
visit to the capital. In a boat furnished by government, they left
Rangoon, embarked for Ava, then the capital, and were immediately
introduced to the king. Dr. Price was graciously received, but at the
first interview Mr. Judson was scarcely noticed. Of the second
interview, we will give the account in Mr. Judson's own words.
"To-day the king noticed me for the first time.... After some time he
said, 'And you, in black, what are you? a medical man too?' 'Not a
medical man, but a teacher of religion, your Majesty.' He proceeded to
make a few inquiries about my religion, and then put the alarming
inquiry whether any had embraced it. I evaded by saying 'Not here.' He
persisted 'Are there any in Rangoon?' 'There are a few.' 'Are they
foreigners?' I trembled for the consequence of an answer which might
involve the little church in ruin; but the truth must be sacrificed or
the consequences hazarded; and I therefore replied, 'There are some
foreigners and some Burmans.' He remained silent a few moments, but
presently showed he was not displeased, by asking a great variety of
questions on religion, and geography and astronomy, some of which were
answered in such a satisfactory manner, as to occasion a general
expression of satisfaction in all the court present.
"After his Majesty retired, a royal secretary entered into conversation,
and allowed me to expatiate on several topics of religion in my usual
way. And all this took place in the presence of the very man, now an
Atwenwoon, (one of the highest officers) who many years ago, caused his
uncle to be tortured under the iron mall, for renouncing Buddhism and
embracing the Romish religion!...
"Thanks to God for the encouragement of this day! The monarch of the
empire has distinctly understood, that some of his subjects have
embraced the Christian religion, and his wrath has been restrained."
He afterwards had another interview, in which the king inquired much
about America, and authorized him to invite her ships to his dominions,
assuring them of protection and facilities for trade.
He mentions much flattering attention paid him by a prince of the empire
and his wife, who was the king's sister, both of whom urged him not to
return to Rangoon, but to bring his wife and reside at Ava. In fact,
several dignitaries of the empire were so far attracted by the new
theories in religion and science, as to enter into animated discussions
with the missionaries respecting them. The prince above mentioned was an
interesting character. Mr. Judson went so far as boldly to urge upon him
the duty of making personal religion his immediate care. For a moment he
was moved, but soon replied, that he was young, only twenty-eight. That
he was desirous of enlarging his mind by an acquaintance with all
foreign science, and then he could judge whether Christianity was worthy
of his adoption or not. But, said Mr. Judson, suppose you change worlds
in the meantime? His countenance fell, and he said sadly, "It is true, I
do not know when I shall die."
How true it is that "as in water face answereth to face, so doth the
heart of man to man." Left without excuse, this poor impenitent Burman,
like thousands in America, almost, but not altogether persuaded to be
Christians, postponed what he could not but purpose to a more convenient
season.
On another occasion, so many persons of high rank expressed themselves
favorably to the Christian faith that one who had not hitherto ventured
to defend the missionaries in the presence of the king was bold enough
to say, "Nearly all the world, your Majesty, believe in an eternal God;
all but Burmah and Siam these little spots!" His Majesty remained
silent, and soon abruptly rose and retired.
Before returning to Rangoon Mr. Judson had an interesting interview with
the king. "Why," asked the latter, "does the teacher return to Rangoon?
let him and Price stay together. If one goes, the other must remain
alone, and will be unhappy." Some one present explained that he was
going for his wife and goods, and would soon return. His Majesty said,
"Will you then come again?" and expressed a wish that he should do so
and remain permanently. He and Dr. Price had previously erected a house
near Ava on some land granted them by the king, which house was to be
occupied by Dr. P. until Mr. Judson's return.
The following letter from Mr. Judson dated Dec. 7, 1823, announces the
arrival of his wife in Rangoon. "I had the inexpressible happiness of
welcoming Mrs. Judson once more to the shores of Burmah, on the 5th
instant. We are now on the eve of departure for Ava.
"My last letter from brother Price mentions that the king has inquired
many times about my delay, and the queen has expressed a strong desire
to see Mrs. Judson in her foreign dress. We sincerely hope her majesty's
curiosity will not be confined to dress.
"Mr. and Mrs. Wade appear to be in fine health and spirits, and I am
heartily rejoiced at their arrival just at the present time."
Rumors of a war between the British and Burmans were growing more and
more prevalent, and alas, proved but too well founded. From the very
last letter written by Mrs. Judson before this most unhappy and
disastrous war, we shall now make some extracts.
"Ava, February, 10, 1824.
"My Dear Parents and Sisters,
After nearly two years and a half wandering, you will be pleased to hear
that I have at last arrived at home, so far as this life is concerned,
and am once more quietly and happily settled with Mr. Judson. When I
retrace the scenes through which I have passed, the immense space I have
traversed, and the various dangers, seen and unseen, from which I have
been preserved, my heart is filled with gratitude and praise to that
Being, who has at all times been my protector and marked out all my way
before me.
We had a quick and pleasant passage from Calcutta to Rangoon, and in
seven days after our arrival there we were on our way to this place. Our
progress up the river was slow indeed. The season however is cool and
delightful, we were preserved from dangers by day and robbers by night,
and arrived in safety in six weeks. The Irrawaddy is a noble river; we
often walked through the villages on its banks, and though we never
received the least insult, we always attracted universal attention. A
foreign female was a sight never before beheld, and all were anxious
that their friends and relations should have a view. Crowds followed us
through the villages, and some less civilized than the others, would run
some way before us, in order to have a _long_ look as we approached
them." ... After relating a conversation with the natives on the subject
of religion, and a narrow escape from drowning; she comes to their
arrival at Ava, where they had difficulties such as she had never before
experienced. Dr. Price urged their going immediately to the house he had
just erected; but it was of brick, and the walls still so damp that they
did not dare occupy it. She says, "We had but one alternative, and that
was to remain in the boat till they could build a small house on the
piece of ground which the king gave to Mr. J. last year. And you will
hardly believe it possible, for I almost doubt my senses, that in just a
fortnight from our arrival, we moved into a house built in that time,
which is large enough to make us comfortable. It is in a most delightful
situation, out of the dust of the town and on the bank of the river....
Our house is in a healthy situation, is raised four feet from the
ground, and consists of three small rooms and a verandah.
We hardly know how we shall bear the hot season which is just
commencing, for our house is built of boards, and before night is heated
like an oven. Nothing but brick is a shelter from the heat at Ava, where
the thermometer even in the shade frequently rises to 108 degrees. We
have worship every evening in Burman, when a number of the natives
assemble, and every Sabbath Mr. Judson preaches the other side of the
river in Dr. Price's house. We feel it an inestimable privilege that
amid all our discouragements we have the language, and are able
constantly to communicate truths which can save the soul."
She then mentions that she has commenced a female school with three
little girls, two of them given her by their parents, fine children, who
improve very rapidly, and that she has a prospect of more pupils. They
did not immediately visit the palace, as the royal family were absent on
a visit at Amarapoora, their old capital, where they were to remain
until the new palace in Ava should be finished. She found her old friend
the viceroy's wife now degraded by the death of her husband to a low
rank, but a sensible woman, and more capable, Mrs. J. thought, of
receiving religious truth than when in public life. She adds that in
consequence of war with the Bengal government, foreigners are not in as
much esteem at court as formerly--even Americans shared the same
disfavor as Englishmen, for being similar in features, dress, language
and religion, it is not surprising that the Burmans should have
confounded them as subjects of one government. From the circumstance of
money being remitted to them through English residents in Ava, they were
even suspected of being paid spies of the East India Company--but this
was at a somewhat later period.
* * * * *
The capital of Burmah is not fixed, but changes with the caprice of the
monarch, for wherever he fixes his imperial residence, there, for the
time, is the capital. Ava, the former capital, having been forsaken
during the reign of the old king for Amarapoora, was again to be the
royal residence, and for this purpose a magnificent palace had been
there erected, of which the emperor was now to take possession. On these
occasions, all the gorgeousness of oriental magnificence has its full
display. Such a scene the missionaires witnessed soon after their
arrival at Ava. Mrs. Judson gives an animated description of that
splendid day, when majesty with all its attendant glory entered the
gates of the golden city, and amid the acclamations of millions, took
possession of the palace. The numerous horses, the immense variety of
vehicles, the vast number and size of richly caparisoned elephants, the
myriads of people in their gala dresses, the highest officers in the
kingdom drawn from the most distant as well as the nearer provinces to
grace the occasion, each in his robes of state, the magnificent white
elephant, caparisoned with silk and velvet, and blazing with jewels, the
king and queen, in simple majesty, alone unadorned amid the gaudy
throng, surpassed any pageant ever exhibited in the western world. Alas!
this pomp and pride were soon to receive a disastrous humiliation.