eror,
and obtain his permission to carry on their work, all might be well
again; so after much deliberation Messrs. Judson and Colman went on a
journey to the royal city of Ava, and obtained an audience of the
Emperor. They humbly requested that his subjects might be permitted to
become Christians without incurring the wrath of the authorities; but
when the monarch heard their petition he treated it with open disdain,
and they had to return to Rangoon saddened and disappointed
beyond measure.

The news that nothing must be expected from the Government but
persecution seemed to give strength to the three converts and to several
really earnest inquirers. When the missionaries spoke of going to
another part of Burmah, where they could have more liberty, their
disciples implored them to remain. "It is useless to remain under
present circumstances," Mr. Judson said. "We cannot open the zayat; we
cannot have public worship; no Burman will dare to examine this
religion, none can be expected to embrace it." "Teacher," one of the
converts replied, "my mind is distressed; I can neither eat nor sleep
since I find you are going away. I have been around among those who live
near us, and I find some who are even now examining the new religion. Do
stay with us a few months. Do stay till there are eight or ten
disciples; then appoint one to be teacher of the rest." Many others said
the same, and at last it was decided that Mr. and Mrs. Judson were to
remain in Rangoon, while Mr. and Mrs. Colman, the other missionaries
there at the time, should move to Chittagong, a place near at hand under
British protection, and try to form a station there.

Within a few weeks after this, several who had long been inquirers came
and requested baptism, although they were well aware that by doing so
they were making themselves liable to death by most horrible torture.
One man, a prominent native in good circumstances, and well known as a
great orator and metaphysician, who had for a long time been arguing
with Mr. Judson about Christianity, now openly declared himself a
follower of Jesus. Others did the same, and God seemed to reward His
servants by showing them such results from their labours as they had
hardly hoped ever to obtain.

The threats of persecution for a time ceased, and the prospects of the
mission improved in every way. By early in 1821 the number of baptized
disciples had increased to nearly twenty, and among them were several
profes