the path of knowledge and salvation. At the same time, I have constant
cause to mourn over their defects and errors, which require not a little
watchfulness and anxiety; but even in this I find a pleasure, having the
assurance that I am not _alone_.
"In regard to the state of things at Dong-Yahn, Ko My-at-yaw, whom I left
in charge, informs me that about all remain as when I left. The three or
four who were rather hopeful still seem to be inquiring; opposition is
about the same. There has been another attempt to burn the house, but
unsuccessful. I have very little expectation that it will stand till
my return; but this is but a secondary cause of anxiety. Their seeming
determination to go down to eternal death causes me, at times, exquisite
pain. O, when will they turn and live?
"The native Christians have generally, from the first, appeared remarkably
firm and steadfast; and although some cases have required discipline, yet
not one has had the appearance of contemplated or wilful sin. One poor
old man alone, twelve or fifteen miles off, was overcome, by the long
solicitation of a numerous family and under peculiar circumstances, so as
to eat in a feast made to appease evil spirits; but he immediately came
down here, confessed, and appeared truly humbled; said he did not forget
God any moment, or cease to love him; but to be at peace with friends, he
ate. I directed him to return and prove his sincerity by a future upright
walk, and when we all returned, at the close of the rains, we would consult
together on his case. There have been some other similar cases in regard to
drinking--an evil which I fear more than all others.
"Agreeably to our earnest prayer, there seems to be an opening amongst the
Pgwos at Bassein. I have prepared an assistant (Telaw) and family to go
over to Rangoon two or three times; but they have been providentially
prevented. We now wait with anxiety to hear from that quarter in regard to
political affairs."
In November of the same year she writes as follows: "I may have mentioned
that there had been attempts to burn the house and zayat at Dong-Yahn when
we were in it. Since the rains ceased the attempt has been again repeated
and considerable damage done; but I understand the chief thinks he can
repair it for the dry season with but little expense; and I expect to build
before another season, as the house was of the kind which usually lasts but
two years. I thought it probable that the first attempt was in consequence
of the increase of our number--brother and sister Brayton being then there;
but now believe it was owing to a settled enmity to the gospel of Christ.
"Should not the power of God be displayed in changing the hearts of the
perpetrators, or they be found out, I expect to be annoyed all the coming
season, and have but little hope of keeping a house standing. Still, the
cause is God's; the hearts of men are in his hands. He can subdue them; and
I believe he will, and that the gospel will yet triumph at Dong-Yahn. It
has already done wonders; and the time cannot be far distant when the enemy
will be put to silence. Two or three of the assistants have just returned
from there, and give the most cheering accounts of the attention of numbers
to the word. They say that the three or four inquirers appear well, and
talk of being baptized. The chief, who remains there constantly, is very
much encouraged, and appears truly devoted to the cause of Christ. Ko
My-at-yan is also there; rather old and feeble, but a faithful laborer.
"I am not a little comforted in seeing the zeal and increased efficiency
with which the natives go to their work since leaving school, (about six
weeks ago.) Ko Chung-paw, Telaw, and Bah-mee have been out in different
directions, and bring pleasing accounts. They spent three weeks in one town
on a branch of the Dah Gyieng. They say they every where met with Karens;
but they are very much scattered and very poor, having lately emigrated
from the Shyán country, three or four days over the mountains. The Karens,
to an individual, listened well, though Boodhists; and many expressed a
desire to receive further instruction, so as to become Christians. An aged
priest, highly esteemed among them, and who does not conform to all the
customs of the Burman priests, would not release them short of two days, so
anxious was he to hear. They left the Testament and other Burman books, and
Ko Chung-paw gave him his eyeglasses. The old priest sent me presents and
a request to visit them. I attempted to visit that region last season; but
reports of robberies on the rivers prevented. It is not more than four
or five tides from here. The assistants have just been sent to make them
another visit, and to tell them that, if they wish for instruction, they
must build a zayat."
At the close of the same year our laborious missionary gives to her
supporters and patrons the following summary view of the Dong-Yahn station,
with which she was connected, and in the prosperity of which she was so
much interested:--
"I shall ever rejoice in what I have witnessed of the power of divine grace
amongst the heathen. A number of precious souls have been rescued from
Satan's power; and one, I trust, has gone home to heaven, though not
permitted to join the church below.
"The native Christians here now number twenty-three, twelve of whom
have been baptized the present year. A few are still inquiring; but the
multitude are going on the broad way to eternal death.
"During the dry season the assistants visited, more than once, all the
villages about these mountains; and I think, from what I could judge by
spending most of the time with them, the truth was faithfully declared
and the way of life made plain. At Tunpuhtine and Puhaung some have been
gathered in; at Tunlopun are some hopeful cases, as well as at Pahleen and
Pompeah.
"Evening and morning worship has been kept up all the time, and worship on
the Sabbath, with Sabbath schools, &c.
"Bah-mee, whom I selected for the purpose from amongst the first converts,
and who has thus far justified my expectations, has been my principal means
of communication with the people. I have taken unwearied pains with
him, giving him every means in my power for instruction; and I am daily
comforted in seeing that it has not been in vain. He is much engaged about
the vicinity we lately visited, on a branch of the Dah Gyieng, and I trust
his labors there have been blessed. But experience has often shown that
natives, however efficient with teachers, are but children if left alone.
"Ko Chung-paw, two years ago, was fast going down the declivity of life in
all the darkness of heathenism; but a ray of heavenly light darted across
his path, arrested his attention, and soon kindled to a flame. Now, I may
say, he is a 'burning and a shining light;' one to whom we often point as a
witness of the power and purity of the religion of Jesus Christ."
Miss Macomber died in April, 1840. The closing scenes of her life were full
of sadness and full of glory. Her death was deeply lamented by those who
knew her worth; and many of the Dong-Yahn women came to her funeral,
crying, "The mamma is dead! the mamma is dead!" and with wails of sorrow
surrounded her grave. They had listened to her counsels, they had
experienced her kindness, they had partaken of her hospitality; and, though
many of them did not love the Savior, they mourned the fall of his servant.
Their nation had sustained an irreparable loss; and they came to pay their
last tribute of respect to the ashes of the departed. The last hours of
Miss Macomber are thus described by Rev. S. M. Osgood, who was at Maulmain
at the time of her death. The account, from the pen of one who witnessed
the whole scene, will be read with deep interest. Mr. Osgood says,--
"It becomes my painful duty to announce to you the death of our dear sister
E. Macomber, who died with jungle fever on the evening of the 16th instant,
after an illness of nine days aged thirty-nine years.
"On the 9th of March Miss Macomber came down from Dong-Yahn with brother
Stevens, and on the morning of the 10th left us again, with a view to visit
a body of Pgwo Karens, residing high up one of the rivers. She had also
a particular reference to spending the hottest part of the season on the
river, having suffered much from the extreme heat at Dong-Yahn during the
hot season last year. On the 4th instant she returned from this excursion,
having enjoyed excellent health and a peculiarly pleasant season in labor
for the good of the souls of the Karens, many of whom listened with much
interest, and were 'almost persuaded to be Christians.'
"She arrived here late in the evening, and appeared quite well, with the
exception of a slight cold, which she said she had taken that evening.
On Sunday, the 5th, she complained of headache, but not so severe as to
prevent her attendance upon the usual religious exercises of the day; and
on Monday, after spending some hours with me in the bazaar, she left,
and started on her return to Dong-Yahn. Before she arrived, however, her
illness grew more violent, and, though it subsequently abated for a time,
became again so decided that on the following Wednesday she was removed to
this place by Christian Karens for the purpose of obtaining medical aid.
Nothing remarkable or alarming was then discovered in her symptoms; and
Doctor Charlton, the medical gentleman who was called in, expressed the
fullest confidence that her disease would yield to the ordinary course of
treatment, and that she would soon be able to resume her labors. But she
thought otherwise; and although she did not express any conviction during
two or three of the first days that the disease would prove fatal, she
afterwards told me repeatedly that she had not from the first had the least
expectation of recovery.
"On Saturday, the 11th instant, she, with the greatest composure, attended
to the settlement of her temporal affairs, and then seemed to feel that
her work was done. Her mind was perfectly clear and calm to the last; and
during her whole illness she was a lovely example of Christian fortitude,
patience, and resignation. Her faith was unwavering; and consequently she
was enabled to look forward to the period of her dissolution with evident
pleasure, and with the fullest conviction that death was but the door to
endless bliss. I asked her if she felt any reluctance to die; and she
replied, 'I have not the least. It is a pleasure to think of dying. I shall
see much of what I have recently thought a little of--the glory of God and
the love of Christ. When I think of the dear Karen disciples I feel for
them, and would be willing to stay with them a little longer; but if it is
the Lord's will that I should leave them, I have nothing to say. Tell my
friends I am not sorry that I came to this country or that I came alone. I
have suffered for nothing which they could have supplied me with. I have
found kind friends to take care of me.' She appeared upon the whole rather
anxious to die, and to die soon. The morning before her death, although
none of us thought she was so near her end, she was heard to pray, 'O my
Master, take me to thyself this day.' While in the agony of death she said,
'Why cannot I be released?' But when one remarked, 'The Lord's time is the
best time,' she replied, 'Yes;' and after a few minutes more she quietly
fell asleep in Jesus.
"The dear Karen Christian disciples have suffered a great loss, which they
most deeply feel. Brother Stevens and I visited them a few days subsequent
to her death and found them overwhelmed with grief, but at the same time
resolved to trust in the Lord and go forward. They are a lovely band, and
apparently as well grounded in the principles of religion as could be
expected of any so recently converted from heathenism."
Thus parted with earth one of the most devoted servants of God. She has
gone up on high to receive her reward. By her death the heathen lost a most
faithful friend, the Missionary Union lost a most devoted laborer, and the
cause of Christ parted with a most zealous advocate.
And shall we weep? No; death has gained no victory. God and the Christian
have triumphed over death and the grave.
"Well we know her living faith
Had the power to conquer death;
As a living rose may bloom
By the borders of the tomb."
Her life was short, and her sun went down while it was yet day. But short
as her stay on earth was, she was enabled to do much good; and in eternity
many will rise up to call her blessed.
VII.
SARAH D. COMSTOCK, OF BURMAH.
The Burman empire has witnessed the death scene of some of the most
illustrious women who have ever lived. It is the graveyard in which their
bodies have been laid to rest after the spirits have departed. It will
continue to be a spot of melancholy interest as long as the ashes of
departed saints are deemed of value by the Christian world; and those
graves will remain the silent pledges that Burmah will never be abandoned,
as a field of missionary exertion, until missionary exertion shall be no
longer necessary. The soil in which such choice spirits find rest, the
groves in which they seek shelter, the flower which blossoms, and the tree
which waves its branches over them, are all sacred in the estimation of
those who love God and delight in the glory of his kingdom. Senseless as
they are, they assist in forming a shelter for honored dust, over which
monuments of marble, with letters of gold and silver, are not worthy to
rise. When Mrs. Comstock died another name was added to the glorious
catalogue of the fallen--not fallen, but ascended. Another grave was made,
from which, on the morning of the resurrection, will come forth a glorified
one, to shine in the crown of the Savior forever.
Sarah Davis Comstock was a native of Brookline, Massachusetts. She was the
daughter of Robert S. Davis, of the Baptist church in that place. In the
house of her father her youthful days were passed, and there she received
the mental and moral education which fitted her to labor for the souls of
the heathen. In early life she found the Savior, and during her residence
in America gave full evidence of a pious, self-denying spirit.
Previous to his sailing for the East, Mr. Comstock selected her for his
companion, and with a martyr spirit she determined to bear the sacrifice
and endure the toil. She was married to Mr. C., and in the act gave herself
not only to him, but to the cause of Christ--to all the sufferings incident
to a life in Burmah.
They, in company with several other elected missionaries, were publicly
consecrated to the work in June, 1834, and sailed immediately for their
field of labor. The services of consecration, on the 28th of June, occurred
in the Baldwin Place Church, in Boston, and were of thrilling interest.
Meetings had been held during the day in another church, at which Rev. Mr.
Wade and the converts from heathenism, Ko Chet-thing and Moung Sway-moung,
had spoken. Indeed, the whole of the previous week had been given to
missionary exercises and missionary sympathy; and when the evening of the
Sabbath came, the spacious church was densely crowded with an eager and
holy throng. Rev. Dr. Wayland delivered an eloquent address of more than an
hour's length; after which the missionaries were instructed by Dr. Bolles,
secretary of the American Baptist Board, under whose patronage they were to
be sent out. When their instructions had been given, Mr. Wade replied in
behalf of his brethren and sisters who were so soon to leave our shores.
The whole scene was one of deep interest; and many were the prayers offered
to God in behalf of that company of devoted Christians. In these delightful
services Dr. Comstock, father of Rev. Grover S. Comstock, one of the
missionaries, and Rev. Dr. Wisner, secretary of the American Board,
participated; and in the crowded house there were several missionaries
connected with other denominations, who looked on with thrilling interest
and satisfaction. One who witnessed the scene and heard the addresses which
were given speaks of the occasion as follows:--
"At seven o'clock, notwithstanding the weather, that spacious building was
crowded to excess, above and below; hundreds were _standing_ through the
whole service and hundreds retiring from the house because there was not
even a place to stand. To be present among those thousands on such an
occasion, once in a life, were to stamp that life with an impression to
which language is not equal. What, then, must have been felt by each of
these missionaries, by their relatives and friends, by those angels who
rejoice over one sinner that repenteth, and whose prophetic thoughts would
connect this preparatory hour with the repentance of myriads in a distant
clime, and age after age?
"We did not wonder, therefore, to hear Dr. Wayland's address open with a
confession of the inadequacy of speech to do justice to the thoughts and
feelings that fill the soul to overflowing at such an hour. And while
listening to his lofty, bold, beautiful, and we may add emphatically
_scriptural_ delineation of the objects, qualifications, and duties of
a Christian missionary,--a delineation that made every other object and
character than that of the Christian dwindle into utter insignificance in
the comparison,--we felt as did Peter on the mount of glorious vision: 'It
is good to be here.' And the thought more than once occurred to us, How
would the late venerable Baldwin have enjoyed this scene!
"We were struck by the remark of Mr. Wade, that, while he regarded the
prayers of Christians in this country as indispensable to the success of
the mission, he could not but fear that prayers _such as he had sometimes
heard_ would avail them or their offerers little. The fervor of love,
the expectancy of hope, and the persevering constancy of faith were the
spiritual qualities wanted. Could they not be obtained?
"In the farewell of Ko Chet-thing and Moung Sway-moung there was a
simplicity and pious warmth that went to the heart. They were grateful for
the unspeakable blessings of the gospel sent to them when in darkness, and
happy alike that they had been permitted of God to see the land where the
seed grew; that they were now about to return to plant and rear the tree
of the gospel in Burmah; and that they could hope hereafter to meet their
Christian friends of America in heaven."
The closing hymn, which was sung by the choir and congregation with fine
effect, was written for the occasion by one of the sweetest writers among
American poets.
Native land!--in summer smiling,--
Hill and valley, grove and stream;
Home! whose nameless charms beguiling,
Peaceful nursed our infant dream;
Haunts! to which our childhood hasted,
Where the earliest wild flowers grew;
Church! where Christ's free grace we tasted,
Graved on memory's page,--_Adieu_!
Mother! who hast watched our pillow
In thy tender, sleepless love,
Lo, we dare the crosted billow;
Mother, put thy trust above.
Father! from thy guidance turning,
O'er the deep our way we take;
Keep the prayerful incense burning
On thine altar, for our sake.
Brothers! sisters! more than ever
Are our fond affections twined,
As that hallowed bond we sever
Which the hand of Nature joined.
But the cry of Burmah's anguish
Through our inmost hearts doth sound;
Countless souls in misery languish;
We would fly to heal their wound.
Burmah! we would soothe thy weeping;
Take us to thy sultry breast;
Where thy sainted dust is sleeping
Let us share a kindred rest.
Friends! this span of life is fleeting;
Hark! the harps of angels swell;
Think of that eternal meeting,
Where no voice shall say, _Farewell_!
Mrs. L. H. Sigourney.
On the morning of Wednesday, July 2, the good ship Cashmere, Captain
Hallet, bore them from our shores, some of them to return no more. There
were on board Mr. and Mrs. Comstock, Mr. and Mrs. Dean, Mr. and Mrs.
Vinton, Mr. and Mrs. Howard, Mr. and Mrs. Wade, Mr. and Mrs. Osgood,
Miss Gardener and the Eastern converts, all belonging to the Baptist
denomination; together with Dr. Bradley and wife and Miss White, belonging
to the stations of the A.B.C.F.M.
The morning dawned in beauty and loveliness; and, as the sun rolled up the
sky, a crowd of people were seen assembling on the wharf. Soon from the
deck of the vessel was heard the melodious but firm voice of Rev. Dr.
Sharp, in prayer to God, pleading for those who were now to commit
themselves to the perils of the deep. Hymns were sung, kind words were
spoken, Christian greetings were exchanged, and farewell embraces given;
and, amid sobs, and tears, and prayers, the vessel swung off from her
moorings. As she floated out gently into the harbor the vast crowd on shore
commenced singing the hymn of Bishop Heber,--
"From Greenland's icy mountains,
From India's coral strand."
This hymn was scarcely finished, and the last echo was yet upon the air,
when from the ship was heard another song. Voices which seemed divine
united in another hymn, and, as holy stillness gathered over the people,
they heard repeated by the departing missionaries the lines of Rev. S.F.
Smith:--
"Yes, my native land, I love thee;
All thy scenes, I love them well."
_Such_ hymns, sung under _such_ circumstances, by _such_ men and women,
must have produced joy and rapture among the ransomed spirits on high; and
doubtless Jesus, man's ascended Savior, looked down upon his followers with
divine approval.
The Cashmere anchored before Amherst on the 5th of December, and the
missionaries were warmly greeted by Dr. Judson and his associates. After
remaining awhile at Amherst and Maulmain, Mr. Comstock and wife proceeded
to the province of Arracan, which was to be the field of their labors; and
on the 26th of February, 1835, it being the Sabbath, they performed their
first missionary duty in Arracan. On the 4th of March they arrived at Kyouk
Phyoo, from which place Mr. Comstock writes an interesting letter, giving a
description of the field of labor in which he and his companion were to be
engaged. The interest of this sketch will be increased by a perusal of that
description in the language of the author himself:--