FOREIGN MISSIONS.

MISSION TO BURMAH.

FROM the missionaries at Rangoon, no communication later than what has been published in the Luminary has come to hand Intelligence, however, has arrived which announces that they were well and going on prosperously, as late as October last. By the present time, it is hoped, brethren Wheelock and Colman have joined them. We here introduce the tract composed by Mr. Judson. The following Tract in Burman and English, needs no ather remark than, that the Burman is the original, and the English a translation. This may apologize for the inelegance or uncommonness of some of the phrases and sentences in English, the version being made as literal as possible. A. JUDSON.

The

THERE is one Being who exists eternally; who is exempt from sickness, old age and death; who was, and is, and will be, without beginning, and without end. Beside this, the true God, there is no other God. The true God is diverse from all other beings. Uniting three in one, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, these three are one God. God is a spirit, without bodily form. Although omnipresent, it is above the heavens that He clearly discovers His glory. His power and wisdom are infinite, He is pure and good, and possessed of everlasting felicity. Before this world was made, God remained happy, surrounded by the pure and incorporeal sons of heaven. In order to display His perfections, and make creatures happy, God created the heavens, the sun, moon and all the stars, the earth, the various kinds of brute creatures, and man. first man and woman, at their original creation, were not liable to sickness or death; they were exempt from every kind of evil; and their mind was upright and pure. Afterwards, because, by violating the command of God, they transgressed against their Benefactor, the sum of all perfections, beyond compare, the light of the divine countenance disappeared; and those two, together with all their posterity, became darkened, and unclean, and wicked; they became subject, in the present state, to sickness, death and all other evils; and they became deserving of suffering, in the future state, the dreadful punishment of hell. Above four thousand years after mankind was thus destroyed, God, being moved with compassion for man involved in misery, sent to the earth, the abode of man, God the Son, the second yadana among the three yadanas [any thing superlatively excellent-In the present application, it conveys no additional idea; but is re quisite in Burman to the intelligibility of the sentence.] The circumstances of his being sent were thus :-God the Son, uniting the divine and the human natures, without destroying or confounding them, in the land of Israel and country of Judea, in the womb of a virgin, was conceived by the divine power, and was born. This God-man, who is named Jesus Christ, being man, endured in our stead, severe sufferings and death, the punishment due to our sins; and being God, is able by virtue of having endured those sufferings, to deliver all his disciples from the punishment of hell, redeeming them with his own life, and to instate them in heaven. On the third day after Jesus Christ suffered death, his soul re

entered his body, and he lived again. For the space of forty days he remained giving instruction to his disciples, after which he commissioned them thus-'Goye into all countries on earth, and proclaim the glad news to all men. He that believeth in me and is baptised, shall be saved; he that believeth not, shall be damned, or shall suffer endless punishment in hell.' Then in the presence of many of his disciples, he ascended to heaven, and took up his abode in the place where God displays his glory. According to the final command of Jesus Christ, his disciples, beginning with Judea, travelled about through various countries and kingdoms, and proclaimed the glad news; and many believed, and became disciples of Jesus Christ. The true religion afterwards spread into the countries of the west; and now to this country of Burmah, among the countries of the east, a teacher of religion, from the country of America, has arrived, and is beginning to proclaim the glad news. About one or two hundred years hence, the religion of Boodh, of Brahma, of Mahomet, and of Rome, together with all other false religions, will disappear and be lost, and the religion of Christ will pervade the whole world; all quarrels and wars will cease, and all the tribes of man will be like a band of mutually loving brothers.

[End of Part 1.

A disciple of Jesus Christ is one that is born again; the meaning of which is, that the old nature, which is successively inherited from the first man and woman, begins to be destroyed; and the new nature, which is implanted by the Holy Spirit, is obtained. The unrenewed man loves himself supremely, and seeks his own private interest., The renewed man loves the true God supremely, and desires that the divine glory may be promoted. He loves all others also as him. self, and seeks their interest as his own. The desire of the unrenewed man is to enjoy sensual pleasure, worldly wealth, fame and power. The renewed man contemns sensual pleasure, &c. His desire is to be pure in mind, to be replete with grace, to be useful to others, to promote the glory of God, and to enjoy the pure and perpetual happiness of heaven. The unrenewed man, influenced by pride, hates the humbling religion of Jesus Christ. When seized with alarm, he endea vours to perform meritorious deeds, in order to make atonement for his sins, and obtain salvation. The renewed man, knowing surely, that man having sinned against God, and contracted great guilt, cannot perform meritorious deeds, firmly fixes in his mind, that it is on account of the God-man, Jesus Christ alone, that sin can be expiated, and the happiness of heaven obtained; and therefore, through supreme love to Jesus Christ, and a desire to do his will, endeavours to avoid evil deeds, and to perform good deeds only, according to the divine commands. Sometimes, when through the assaults of the remaining old nature, he slides and transgresses the divine commands, he repents that he has sinned against his superlatively excellent and lovely Lord, and trusting only in the death of Christ, he humbly confesses the sin he has committed, and begs pardon of God He who is unrenewed, and therefore is not a disciple of Christ, in the present life, obtains no true wisdom; his sins are numerous and heavy. And because he has no regard to the Lord, who can deliver from sin, he will, in the present life, obtain no refuge or resting place; but soul and body will fall into hell, as his sins deserve; and having transgressed against an eternal God, he must accordingly for ever suffer eternal misery. He who is renewed, and becomes a disciple of Jesus Christ, in the present life, is acquainted with true wisdom, and attains the state of a Thautahpan [one that has acquired a new and excellent nature, which will issue in final salvation.] And when he changes worlds, his soul having obtain

ed the pardon of sin through the death of Christ, will, through the grace of God, enter into the divine presence. The body also, though it be burnt with fire, or consumed in the earth, and thus destroyed for a time, will, at the end of the world, by the power of God, with whom nothing is impossible, live again; and thus soul and body united, will for ever enjoy eternal happiness in the presence of God. [End of Part 2.

The commands of Jesus Christ are as follows:-Repent, or be changed in mind; that is, extirpate the old nature and cultivate the new. Have faith in the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Love God supremely. Love others as yourself. Set not your heart on worldly goods and riches; but look forward to, and long for those riches which are free from defilement, and eternal in the heavens. Suppress haughtiness, pride and insolence; and cherish an humble, meek and lowly mind. Return not evil for evil; but have a disposition to forgive the faults of others, and to bear injury with patience. Love your enemies, and pray for them. Be compassionate to the poor and needy, and give alms. Covet not the property of others; therefore take not by violence; steal not; defraud not in trade; trespass in no manner on the property of others. Speak no falsehood. Bear not false witness. Without being invested with governmental authority, take not the life of man. Drink not intoxicating liquor to excess. Despise not marriage, whether of a teacher of religion, a ruler, or a private person. Beside your own husband or wife, have no desire for any other man or woman. Honour parents, and willingly assist and support them, according to your ability. Listen reverently to the instructions of religious teachers, and make offerings for their support. In regard to rulers, whether disciples of Christ or not, honour them, pay them tribute, pray for them, and obey their lawful commands. Pray to God always. On the first day in seven, assemble to worship God, and hear his word. On becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ, receive baptism in water. Afterwards in memory of his flesh and blood, which he gave for the sake of his disciples, reverently, from time to time, eat bread and drink wine. Use all diligence, that your relations and neighbours, and countrymen, who are not disciples of Christ may be converted. With a compassionate mind, use all diligence that the inhabitants of towns, and countries and kingdoms, that are in darkness, not having obtained the light of the knowledge of the true God, may become disciples of Christ. The above are commands of Jesus Christ. [End of Part 3.

The teacher who composed this writing, seeing the great evil which is coming on the Burmans, left his own country from compassion; and from an immense distance, has arrived by ship, to this, the country of Burmah. He desires neither fame nor riches. Offerings and gifts he seeks not. The disciples of Christ, in his own country, moved with compassion for the Burmans, make offerings sufficient for his use. He has no other motive but this: Being a disciple of Christ, and therefore seeking the good of others, as his own, he has come, and is labour. ing that the "Burmans may be saved from the dreadful punishment of hell, and enjoy the happiness of heaven.

In the year of Christ 1816; in the Burman year 1178; in the 967th day of the lord of the Saddan elephant, and master of the Sakyah weapon; and in the 33d year of his reign; in the division Pashoo; on Tuesday, the 12th day of the wane of the moon Wahgoung, after the double beat, this writing, entitled The Way to Heaven, was finished. May the reader obtain light. Amen.

216

DOMESTIC MISSIONS.

MISSION TO THE WESTWARD OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.

THE missionaries brethren Peck and Welch with their families, arrived at St. Louis, it appears, about the first of December last. In a few days they addressed a communication to the Corresponding Secretary of the Board, giving a detailed account of the numerous difficulties that had opposed and retarded their progress to that place, and the many kindnesses they had received In the conclusion they observe-"It is easily perceived by us, though we have been here but a short time, that the state of things is truly important. Lord help us! All our help must come from thee!"

Under date of December 28, Mr. Welch thus writes-" The time has already passed, at which a second communication ought to have been made; but such were the difficulties, the unusual and unexpected length of our journey from Kentucky, and such the embarrassments attendant on our first residence in this place, that I have not had it in my power to make my report, as the Board had a right to expect.

"On the first of January, as per agreement already made, I expect to commence teaching a small school, which I calculate by the close of the first quarter will become sufficiently large." [At this time Mr. Peck was very sick, and Mr. Welch remarks] "Be not surprised if in my next I shall have to perform the painful task of announcing the death of my partner in missionary labour "

In a joint communication, on Mr. Peck's becoming convalescent, they observe, "that the mission has been deprived of the labours of brother Peck since his ar rival at this place; but we feel thankful to our gracious heavenly Father that he is now, though slow, regaining his health and strength. In the town of St. Louis are a number of persons who have professed religion. Amongst these are several baptists, with whom we hope soon to unite in church fellowship.

There is a small presbyterian church in this place, constituted some inonths ago. They have a meeting established in a commodious school house in one part of the town, and the Rev. Mr. Giddings, a missionary from the eastern states, preaches to them. He also teaches a school in the same house. There is an 66 other minister of the denomination called Cumberland Presbyterians," who resides in town, and occasionally preaches to the people. On our first arrival here brother Welch occasionally preached in the house occapied by Mr. Giddings, as he was then absent on a missionary tour in the country. But after we had obtained a room for the school in quite a different part of the town, it was judged expedient to establish another meeting. In this our highest expectations have been exceeded. The meetings are tolerably well attended, both on the Sabbath and on Wednesday evenings. The people give a solemn attention, and the number of hearers continues to increase. On the whole, we are encouraged with the prospect, and pray that the Lord may accomplish a gracious work here. One person we hope has experienced religion of late, and we trust one or two others are thoughtful."

To the Corresponding Secretary, St. Louis, M. T. March 12, 1818. DEAR SIR,

THAT the Board may have entire knowledge of our prospects, our trials, and every occurrence relative to the mission in this region; we think it would not be improper to forward the following extracts from the mission records or journal.

JANUARY 29th, 1818.-The missionaries having formed an acquaintance with several brethren and sisters, met according to previous agreement, to consult on the propriety of uniting in a church relation. Eleven persons presented letters and other testimonials of their good standing in churches whence they had removed, and we proceeded to adopt a covenant as the basis of union.

FEBRUARY 5.-The missionaries and brethren again met for consultation. We unanimously adopted articles of faith, and resolved to be constituted as a church of Christ the following Sabbath.

It is highly gratifying to contemplate the union and cordial sentiments of those brethren and sisters who have agreed to become thus united. This may be regarded as the first effort of the missionaries to establish and spread the visible kingdom of Christ in this western land. In the result, thus far, they acknowledge the special mercy of God. The meeting established increases in the number of hearers, and the solemn attention given. One or two instances of awakening appear. The school continues to prosper, and the pupils make considerable progress in learning. The prospects are encouraging.

FEBRUARY 8th,-Church constituted. Brother Peck preached on the occasion from 1 Cor. iii. 9. Ye are God's building.'

Brother Welch produced and read the covenant and articles of faith, and after imploring the protection and blessing of the Great Head of the church, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, and in the presence of many witnesses, solemnly pronounced them a visible church of Christ.

Brother Peck made the dedication prayer and gave the right hand of fellowship, and brother Welch gave the charge.

Then after 'showing forth our Lord's death,' we closed this interesting service with praise to God.

FEB. 12. The church appointed a committee, consisting of brethren Peck, Welch and Jacoby, to prepare a memorial, accompanied with a subscription, to be presented to the public, soliciting aid to build a house for public worship.

MARCH 1st. It was concluded that it would be most conducive to our own individual comfort, and to the prosperity of the western mission, that we form ourselves into a society.

Impressed with the importance of employing every means in our power to accomplish the great object for which we have come into this western country, we the undersigned being under the patronage of the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions for the United States, agree to adopt the name of the Western Baptist Mission Society,' and to be regulated by the following PRINCIPLES.

1st. Having devoted ourselves to the Lord Jesus, we give ourselves to one another by the will of God, and agree to be kindly affectionate one towards another with brotherly love, realizing that we have our master even Christ, and that all we are brethren.