from whom large sums of money were extorted, and some of them, it is reported, have renounced their religion. The hostile bearing of the Government towards Christianity, may be seen from the fear which is every where witnessed among the people in receiving tracts. In passing through villages with tracts, often, almost every individual will refuse; sometimes they will take a book, and if they perceive one of their chiefs likely to meet them in the streets, they will instantly return it, or carefully conceal it among their garments. In Prome, and some other cities, orders have been regularly proclaimed through the streets, forbidding all persons from accepting the foreigners' books, under the penalties of law. I will now give a sketch of what has been done, notwithstanding these obstacles, in introducing the religion of Christ. The American Mission to Barmál, was commenced at Rangoon, by the Rev. Dr. Judson, in 1813. A few converts had been baptized by him previous to the war between the English and Barmese, which for a time blasted their prospects. Messrs. Judson and Price were thrown into prison at Ava, from which, after enduring almost incredible sufferings, they were finally liberated on the restoration of peace. Since the war, the Tenasserim provinces have been the principal field of labor. Here the popular language is Barmese, but a large proportion of the people being Talaings, or Peguese, many of them still retain their own language, which has been a great hindrance to missionary operations among them. Lately, however, several of the missionaries have made the Talaing language an object of study, and most of the New Testament, and several tracts, have already been translated into that dialect. At Molamyaing, the largest town in the British provinces, there has been gathered a Church of about 100 members, composed entirely of native converts. These regularly attend the worship and ordinances of the church, and exhibit the fruits of piety, to as great a degree as can be expected from a class of people just emerged from idolatry. Many of the converts have been employed as missionary assistants, and they have proved faithful labourers in the work. A large proportion of the conversions, which have taken place at the various stations, have been the result of native preaching. The whole number of baptisms of Barmese and Karens, at all the stations, since the establishment of the Mission, is not far from 600. Nearly 200 have also been united to the European Church connected with the Mission. The labors of Mr. Judson for the last two years, have been chiefly devoted to the translation of the Bible, which is now completed, in the classical style of the Barmese, and nearly all printed. Four printing presses are employed at this station, and the tracts and scriptures have hitherto been distributed nearly as fast as they could be issued from the press. Schools have been established to some extent, but so few has been the number of missionaries, until very lately, and so frequent their removal from one location to another, that the schools have often been given up soon after their establishment. The mission, however, having recently been largely re-inforcedthe number of missionary families in Barmáh now amounting to eleven-this important branch of labor is receiving more attention. Besides the common schools for instruction in Barmese, a school of a higher order has been recently established at Molamyaing, where English forms an important branch of instruction. In Barmáh proper, our missions have ever been in a very unsettled state. At Rangoon a Native Church has long been established, to which about 50 members have been admitted, but they are now scattered by the recent persecutions. The mission was resumed at Ava about three years ago, by the Rev. Mr. Kincaid, who after a scene of unexampled opposition, has succeeded in gathering a Church of 15 or 20 members, among whom are several very influential and respectable people. At times there has appeared to be a spirit of anxious inquiry through the whole city, but it has been checked by the interference of the rulers. Repeatedly has Mr. Kincaid been peremptorily ordered by the High Court to leave the country, but hitherto an over-ruling Providence has enabled him to maintain his footing, and crowned his labors with success. One of the most encouraging departments of missionary labor in Barmáh, is the Tract distribution. The people generally, when unawed by the rulers or priests, manifest a great desire to obtain tracts. General distributions among all the towns and villages on the E'ráwadí have been made three or four times within as many years. From 8, to 10 or 12,000, tracts were given away each time. Although we cannot suppose that all who receive these tracts are influenced by a sincere desire to become acquainted with the religion, yet it is manifest that the general distribution of them must have an important influence. Several conversions, it is confidently believed, have taken place, where the only instrumentality was a tract or portion of scripture. But where real conversion does not immediately follow, still the truth presented must have a strong effect on many minds, weakening their hold upon Buddhism, and thus preparing the way for missionaries to enter in hereafter, and follow up the impressions that have been made. Before I close, I wish to advert for a moment to that very interesting race, the Karens. These are an entirely distinct people from the Barmese, of different origin, religion, customs, dress, and language. They are scattered all over the southern part of the Barmese territories, living, for the most part, in the mountainous regions, at a distance from the rivers and populous districts. They are less civilized than the Barmese, but are said to be much more frank and honest-hearted. The missionaries have found in them generally a surprising readiness to hear and embrace the truth. The first efforts among them were made by the late Mr. Boardman, at Tavoy, whose labors were crowned with the most unexampled success. Since the death of Mr. Boardman, the number of converts has been yearly increasing, and Mr. Mason has now collected a colony of them at a place near the head waters of the Tenasserim river, to which he has given the name of Méta myó, City of Love. Here they may have a permanent residence, and apply themselves to agriculture and the useful arts, by which means those obstacles to Christianity, which result from their present wandering, uncivilized state, will in a great measure be removed. Considerable good has also been effected among the Karens on the Salwen, above Molamyaing. A small church has been gathered, and several schools established. In Barmáh proper, also, the interest among the Karens, where native preachers have been labouring, has been truly astonishing. Not unfrequently have the missionaries at Rangoon been visited by as many as 10 or 15 candidates for baptism, at the same time, from the western jungles. But, as I have already stated, the late persecutions have given a great check to our missionary operations in that quarter. The origin of the Karens is an interesting object of inquiry, although, in the present state of our knowledge, it probably cannot be ascertained with certainty. They evidently are tribes of wanderers, that have come down from the north, as all their old legends testify. They had no written language, till recently one has been introduced among them by the Rev. Mr. Wade. All their known history consists in traditions, handed down in song from father to son. Many of these traditions are very striking. Among them is a clear accouut of the creation of our two first parents; their fall, in consequence of having, through the instigation of the devil, eaten of the forbidden fruit, and many other facts, which exactly accord with the accounts of Holy Writ. No certain traces of any knowledge of Christ have yet been discovered among them, which seems to preclude the idea that these traditions were obtained from any missionaries or other travellers since the time of Christ, and we are therefore carried back to the supposition that they are of Jewish origin. Mr. Mason supposes them to be remnants of the Ten Tribes. Their poetry is certainly extremely similar to that of the Hebrews. Their songs contain the severest denunciations against idolatry, and the commandments of their God Yuwá, (a name very similar to the Jewish Yehowa, or Jehovah,) are perfectly accordant with the precepts of the Bible. Whether, however, it shall eventually be found that they are of Jewish descent or not, it is evident that these ancient traditions must do much towards preparing them for the reception of that revelation, which has for its foundation the sublime truth, that there is a God, who created the heavens and the earth. Viewing the successes which have attended the Barmán mission, in its various departments, and considering also the very few labourers (until quite recently) that have been employed in that field, the friends of the cause have reason for encouragement. We may with the greatest confidence consider this as the beginning of a work that shall ultimately bring the whole Barmese, Talaing, and Karen races to join in the song, "Worthy is the Lamb." We may look forward with a triumphant certainty, to the speedily approaching period, when the splendid fabric of Buddhism, with all the gorgeous array of its golden Myenmós and superincumbent heavens, of its Bráhmás, Náts, and demons, shall, like the gods of Greece and Rome, be read only in schoolbooks as a fable; when instead of a degrading, and defiling, and conscience-searing superstition, the holy, heart-searching, purifying and ennobling religion of Jesus Christ shall shed its hallowed influence through every class and portion of society, and a generation of civilized, enlightened, and elevated Christians shall rise up to the glory and praise of our Redeeming Lord. II. The Chinese Decalogue, translated by the late Dr. Morrison. [Furnished by his brother-in law, the Rev. W. MORTON.] The CHINESE DECALOGUE, translated from a work entitled King-Sin, or "A collection of things respected and believed." The holy admoni tions of Wan-chang-te-Keun (the God of Letters.) The Ten Precepts of the Plantain Window*. Ist. Beware of lasciviousness: Not having seen, you should not think of; When seeing, there should be no irregularity; With respect to virgins and widows, be particu- 2nd. Beware of wicked thoughts: Do not harbour a dangerous thought; Do not see ability and envy it; Be particularly cautious when there is an appearance of compassion, but a cruel heart. i. e. written at the window shaded by the plantain tree. 3rd. Beware of the errors of the mouth: Do not meddle with clandestine affairs; Do not change what you have said; Do not revile the sages ; Be most cautious with respect to superiors, relations, and the dead. 4th. Beware of sloth: Do not sleep early and rise late; Do not neglect your own field and plough your neighbour's; Do not learn to do that from which no advantage is to be Be most on your guard against an unsettled mind. 5th. Beware of throwing away letters (written or printed charac ters): Do not, with old books roll up parcels or paste the window; Do not, with useless papers, boil tea or rub the table; Do not blot good books; Do not write at random against the doors or walls; Do not destroy in your mouth (or chew to pieces) a rough copy; Do not throw away the tail (or end) of a writing; On the road or in an unclean place*, be particu larly careful. 6th. Pay due respect to the relations subsisting amongst men : Kindness is the principal duty of a father; 7th. Respect is the principal duty betwixt a prince and his minister; Brothers should mutually love ; Friends should speak the truth; A husband and wife should mutually agree. Cleanse the heart : Consider the doctrines of the ancients to regulate the heart; Sit in a retired place, and call home the heart; Be sparing of wine or pleasure, and purify the heart; 8th. Establish a good manner : Be diligent in business and attentive to your words; Rescue men from present errors, and follow the ancients; Fear the three things which the eminent venerate. 9th. Be attentive to your intercourse with a friend : From first to last be not inattentive; Let inside and outside be the same; A necessary office. |