ly motive, their letters and journals
abundantly prove. Mrs. Judson writes: "It is extremely trying to reflect
on the consequences of our becoming Baptists. We must make some very
painful sacrifices." "We must be separated from our dear missionary
associates, and labor alone in some isolated spot. We must expect to be
treated with contempt, and to be cast off by many of our American
friends--forfeit the character we have in our native land, and probably
have to labor for our own support wherever we are stationed." "These
things are very trying to us, and cause our hearts to bleed for
anguish--we feel that we have no home in this world, and no friend but
each other." "A renunciation of our former sentiments has caused us more
pain than anything which ever happened to us through our lives."

Thus "perplexed but not in despair, cast down but not destroyed," they
reached Rangoon, then the capital of the Burman Empire, and established
themselves in what they regarded as their future home. Here, "remote,
unfriended" and solitary--"reft of every stay but Heaven"--they were
destined to pass nearly two years, before their hearts could be cheered
by the intelligence from America, of the general interest awakened for
them there in the denomination with which they had connected themselves;
and the formation of a Baptist Board of Missions, which had appointed
them its Missionaries. Of one thing, however, they must have felt sure,
that they were conducted there by the special providence of God. The
honor of commencing the Burman Mission, says Prof. Gammell, "is to be
ascribed rather to the Divine Head of the Church, than to any leading
movement or agency of the Baptist denomination. The way was prepared and
the field was opened by God alone, and it only remained for true-hearted
laborers to enter in and prosecute the noble work to which they had been
summoned."

CHAPTER IV.

DESCRIPTION OF BURMAH.--ITS BOUNDARIES, RIVERS, CLIMATE, SOIL, FRUITS
AND FLOWERS.--BURMAN PEOPLE.--THEIR DRESS, HOUSES, FOOD, GOVERNMENT AND
RELIGION.

The Burman Empire being thus the place to which the feet of the first
"bringers of good tidings" from America were so signally directed, and
having been now, for nearly forty years, missionary ground of the most
interesting character, it is proper to pause here and give something
more than a passing glance at its natural features, its government and
religion, and the character of its population. For i