visits for six weeks, returned the fee which she sent him, saying he was happy if he had been of service to her.  Her health being perfectly restored she returned to Rangoon after an absence of three months, and “on the 11th of September, was made the happy mother of a little son.”  She soon resumed her studies, and though she saw little other result of her labors, was cheered by noticing that she and her husband were gradually gaining the confidence of the natives, who, as she says, would say to each other “that they need not be afraid to trust us, for we do not tell falsehoods as the Burmans do.”  The indolent and deceitful Burmans saw with surprise that these two Christians always kept themselves busily employed, and paid every debt they contracted with strict punctuality.  Thus was laid the foundation of respect for the new religion.

CHAPTER VII.

DIFFICULTY OF INCULCATING THE GOSPEL.—­DEATH OF HER SON.—­FAILURE OF MR. JUDSON’S HEALTH.—­ARRIVAL OF MR. AND MRS. HOUGH AT RANGOON.

In a letter which Mrs. Judson wrote to her sisters in December, 1815, she says:  “Doubtless you expect by this time that some of the Burmans have embraced the Christian religion, or at least are seriously inquiring respecting it.”  “But you cannot imagine how very difficult it is to give them any idea of the true God and the way of salvation by Christ, since their present ideas of Deity are so very low.”  “They have not the least idea of a Divinity who is eternal, without beginning or end.  All their deities have been through the several grades of creatures, from a fowl to a God....”  “They know of no other atonement for sin, than offerings to their priests or their pagodas.”

She goes on to mention some instances of serious inquiry among the people, which from time to time had raised their hopes, only to dash them again by the relapse of the inquirers into indifference; but adds “These things do not discourage us.  It is God alone who can effectually impress the mind with divine truths; and though seed may lie buried long in the dust, yet at some future period it may spring up and bear fruit to the glory of God.”

In this letter she gives an account of the recall of the Viceroy from Rangoon to Ava, the imperial residence, and the consequent confusion of the people, ten thousand of whom accompanied him to Ava.  She regretted his departure, as both he and his lady had ever treated her with civility and kindness.  The newly appointed Viceroy was a stranger, and might not be equally kind to them.

She says, “Oh how I long to visit Bradford; to spend a few evenings by your firesides, in telling you what I have seen and heard.  Alas! we have no fireside, no social circle.  We are still alone in this miserable country, surrounded by thousands ignorant of the true God.” ...  “But we still feel happy in our employment, and have reason to thank God that he has brought us here.  We do hope to live to see the Scriptures translated into the Burman language, and a church formed from among these idolaters.”