sufficient, with the presence of God, are all that is absolutely necessary.  Could a man have in addition, one confidential friend, who sympathized in all his joys and sorrows, and with whom he could enjoy all the endearments of social life, he might be happy indeed—­and such a friend, such a wife I have, in my beloved Sarah.  I fear I shall never be able to discharge the obligations I feel toward you for conferring on me so great a blessing.”

Mrs. B. also writes to some acquaintances, “Unite with me, my respected friends, in gratitude to God, that he has preserved us through the dangers of a long voyage, and permitted us to land upon a heathen shore.  Oh may this renewed assurance of his kind care, teach me confidence in his promises, and fill me with ardent desires to be constantly employed in his service.

“Our voyage was remarkably pleasant, our suffering from sea-sickness was much lighter than we had anticipated; our accommodations, though by no means handsome, convenient and comfortable as we could desire.  Our table was well furnished with the necessaries, and many of the luxuries of life.  Capt.  Sheed, and the other gentlemen on board, treated us with the greatest kindness, and appeared solicitous to make our situation agreeable.  In the society of Mr. Blaikie, the supercargo, we took much delight.  He is a gentleman of eminent piety, belonging to the Presbyterian denomination.  We had evening devotions in the cabin, ... when the weather allowed we had divine service between decks on the Sabbath.  A precious privilege!

“While at sea, my time was spent in a very agreeable, and I hope not unprofitable manner....  The principal books I read besides the Bible, were the life of Parsons, Lowth’s lectures on Hebrew poetry, part of Fuller’s works, and of Jones’ Church History.  Supposing the study of the word of God well calculated to prepare my mind for the missionary work, I directed my chief attention to that.  We had one very interesting exercise,—­during the week several of us collected as many passages of scripture as we were able, upon a subject previously named; and on Sabbath eve, we compared our separate lists, and conversed freely upon the doctrine or duty concerning which we had written.  In this manner we discussed many of the most important doctrines and duties contained in Scripture.

As we drew near Calcutta, our anxiety respecting the fate of our dear missionaries at Ava, increased.  We trembled when we thought of the disturbances in Burmah, and there was only one spot where we could find peace and serenity of mind.  That sweet spot was the throne of grace.  Thither we would often repair and lose all anxiety and fear respecting our dear friends, our own future prospects, and the Missionary cause in Burmah.  It was sweet to commit all into the hands of God.  If not deceived, we felt the importance of constantly pleading for a suitable frame of mind, to receive whatever intelligence was for us; and for a disposition to engage in the service of God, at any time, and in any place he might direct.  We considered it our duty to supplicate for grace to support us in the hour of trial, and for direction in time of perplexity, rather than to employ our minds in anticipating the nature of future difficulties, and in fancying how we should conduct in an imagined perplexity.  This is still our opinion.”