CHAPTER VIII.

MISSIONARY LABORS.—­FEMALE INTELLECT IN BURMAH.—­DESCRIPTION OF A PAGODA, OF BURMAN WORSHIP AND OFFERINGS.

A circumstance still more cheering to the hearts of the missionaries than even the arrival of companions from their beloved native land, was a visit of a Burman who having read the “two little books” from the press of Mr. Hough, came to inquire further into the new religion.  When Mr. Judson first heard from the lips of an idolater the confession that “God is a Being without beginning or end, not subject to old age or death, but who always is,”—­his feelings were indescribable and overpowering.  Here at length was a germination of that seed they had so long been sowing in tears!  For if one heathen heart could be thus led by the Spirit to investigate the truth, why not more.—­Why not many? and why might not the same Spirit lead them to him who is not only the truth, but the way,—­the way to Heaven?

They soon received visits from other Burmans who had seen the tracts issued by them; and who seemed desirous of learning the truth, but still very fearful of being known as inquirers.  It became necessary therefore to seek the patronage of the government, and Mr. Judson determined, so soon as he should have finished his dictionary of the language, to proceed to Ava, the residence of the emperor.

Mrs. Judson met every Sabbath a society of fifteen or twenty females, to whom she read the Scriptures, and talked about God.  They were attentive, and willing to ask and answer questions, but for a long time experienced no abiding convictions of sin or of duty.  Some were willing to serve Christ if they could do it without renouncing dependence on their own merits.  Others would serve God, if they might serve Gaudama also.

As there is a tendency in enlightened minds to feel a contempt for the intellect of barbarians; and as some have even felt that time spent as Mrs. Judson’s was with those native females, was thrown away, we will here record her testimony to the intelligence of the Burmese women.  “The females of this country are lively, inquisitive, strong and energetic, susceptible of friendship and the warmest attachment, and possess minds capable of rising to the highest state of cultivation and refinement....  This is evident from their mode of conversing,” and may be illustrated by some particulars in the experience of one of them, named May-Meulah.

Previous to the arrival of the missionaries in her country, her active mind was led to inquire the origin of all things.  Who created all that her eyes beheld?  She inquired of all she met, and visited priests and teachers in vain; and such was her anxiety, that her friends feared for her reason.  She resolved to learn to read, that she might consult the sacred books.  Her husband, willing to gratify her curiosity, taught her to read himself.  In their sacred literature