It was not without heavy hearts that they saw the years passing away and nothing apparently being done.  They had half expected, before leaving America, that it would require little more than a plain proclamation of the Gospel to win converts; but a short experience of the reality of missionary life showed them that the work was not so easy as had been imagined.  The people were careless and indifferent, and no permanent impressions seemed to be produced upon their minds.  They would listen politely while the missionaries pleaded with them for Christ, and then would lightly dismiss the matter with the remark that all religions were good.

One reason why preaching had not been attempted was because Mr. and Mrs. Judson felt it would be well at first to devote their energies more especially to the printing and circulation of Christian literature.  In Burmah almost every man could read, and it would be possible to reach far more through the printed page than by public speaking.  A portion of a gospel had been translated by Mr. Felix Carey, but this was lost in a wreck, so Mr. Judson started a fresh translation of the New Testament, and prepared one or two tracts.  In 1815 he wrote to Dr. Carey, asking if he could print some Burmese tracts at the Serampore press; the doctor replied that it would be far better for Judson to start a press of his own in Rangoon, and in order that he might do so he sent him a complete outfit, including a press, a supply of type, and other necessary stock.

When the printing press reached Rangoon, there came with it two new helpers, Mr. and Mrs. Hough, sent out by the American Baptist Missionary Society.  Mr. Hough had been a printer before leaving America, and so he was able to render practical assistance almost from the day of his arrival, by taking charge of the printing department.  Two small tracts were issued as quickly as possible, one a Summary of Christian Doctrine, and the other a catechism; and Mr. Judson hurried on with his translation of the New Testament.  The printing of these was the first thing of the kind that had ever been done in Burmah, and the missionaries rejoiced that the art of printing should be introduced into the country directly through Christianity.

Their first serious inquirer was brought to them through these tracts.  One day in March, 1817, a man, evidently of good position, came to the mission-house and astonished Mr. Judson with the question, “How long a time will it take me to learn the religion of Jesus?” The surprised missionary replied that it all depended on whether God gave him light and wisdom, and asked how he came to know anything of Jesus.  Had he been there before?  “No.”  Had he seen any writings concerning Jesus?  “I have seen two little books.”  “Who is Jesus?” Judson asked, to test his knowledge.  “He is the son of God who, pitying creatures, came into the world and suffered death in their stead.”  “Who is God?” “He is a being without beginning or end, who is not subject to old age or death, but always is.”