RST.--HER ILLNESS AND DEATH--DEATH OF HER INFANT.

Mrs. Judson concludes her long, melancholy, but most interesting letter
to her brother, as follows: "A review of our trip to and adventures in
Ava, suggests the inquiry, Why were we permitted to go? What good has
been effected? Why did I not listen to the advice of friends in Bengal
and remain till the war was concluded? But all that we can say is--_It
is not in man that walketh to direct his steps_.--So far as my going
round to Rangoon at the time I did, was instrumental in bringing those
heavy afflictions upon us, I can only state that if ever I acted from a
sense of duty in my life, it was at that time; for my conscience would
not allow me any peace, when I thought of sending for your brother to
Calcutta, in prospect of the approaching war. Our society at home have
lost no property on account of our difficulties; but two years of
precious time have been lost to the mission unless some future
advantage may be gained, in consequence of the severe discipline to
which we ourselves have been subject. We are sometimes induced to think
that the lesson we have found so very hard to learn will have a
beneficial effect through our lives; and that the mission may in the
end, be advanced rather than retarded."

In reference to this timid and hesitating hope of some benefit which
_might possibly_ accrue to the cause of missions, from her terrible
experience, the remarks of Dr. Dowling in a recent work, are so
appropriate, that we will introduce them here. "Previous to the
commencement of these sufferings, though a few American Baptists were
partially awake to the salvation of the heathen, ... yet the
contributions for the mission were meagre, and the interest it had
excited was comparatively small. Something of a thrilling, exciting
character was needed to arouse the churches from their indifference and
lethargy; something that should touch their hearts, by showing them
somewhat of the nature and extent of the sacrifices made by those
devoted missionaries whom they were called upon to sustain by their
benefactions and their prayers.

"Such a stimulus was afforded, when after two years of painful suspense,
during which it was not known whether the missionaries were dead or
alive, the touching recital of their unparalleled sufferings for
Christ's sake, and of their wonderful deliverance, at length burst like
an electric shock upon the American churches. And that shock has not y