“Maulmain,July13, 1843.“I never think without some uneasiness of the infrequency of my communications to the Board; and if I had not an apology at hand, I should feel self-condemned. A person employed in direct missionary work among the natives, especially if his employ is somewhat itinerant, can easily make long and interesting journals. The first epithet, at least, may be applied to some of my earlier communications. But it has been my lot, for many years past, to spend most of my time over the study-table; and my itinerating has scarcely extended beyond the limits of my morning walks and the precincts of the mission inclosure. Several years were spent in translating the Bible, and several more in revising it and carrying the last edition through the press. After which, in May last year, I commenced a dictionary of the language, a work which I had resolved and re-resolved never to touch. But it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. The Board and my brethren repeatedly urged me to prepare a dictionary, the one printed in 1826 being exceedingly imperfect; and as Burmah continued shut against our labors, and there were several missionaries in this place, I concluded that I could not do better than to comply.“We are apt to magnify the importance of any undertaking in which we are warmly engaged. Perhaps it is from the influence of that principle, that, notwithstanding my long-cherished aversion to the work, I have come to think it very important; and that, having seen the accomplishment of two objects on which I had set my heart when I first came out to the East, the establishment of a church of converted natives and the translation of the Bible into their language, I now beguile my daily toil with the prospect of compassing a third, which may be compared to a causeway, designed tofacilitate the transmission of all knowledge, religious and scientific, from one people to the other.“It was my first intention to make a single work, Burmese and English; but as I proceeded, I discovered many reasons for constructing a double work, in two parts, the first English and Burmese, the second Burmese and English. I hope, by daily, uninterrupted labor, to have the whole ready for the press by the end of 1845. Not, indeed, that I count on living so long. Above thirty years spent in a tropical climate—to-day is the twenty-ninth anniversary of my arrival in Burmah—leaves but little ground to build future plans upon. But I feel it my duty to plod on, while daylight shall last, looking out for the night, and ready to bequeath both the plodding and the profit to any brother who shall be willing to carry on and complete the work when I shall have obtained my discharge.”
“Maulmain,July13, 1843.
“I never think without some uneasiness of the infrequency of my communications to the Board; and if I had not an apology at hand, I should feel self-condemned. A person employed in direct missionary work among the natives, especially if his employ is somewhat itinerant, can easily make long and interesting journals. The first epithet, at least, may be applied to some of my earlier communications. But it has been my lot, for many years past, to spend most of my time over the study-table; and my itinerating has scarcely extended beyond the limits of my morning walks and the precincts of the mission inclosure. Several years were spent in translating the Bible, and several more in revising it and carrying the last edition through the press. After which, in May last year, I commenced a dictionary of the language, a work which I had resolved and re-resolved never to touch. But it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. The Board and my brethren repeatedly urged me to prepare a dictionary, the one printed in 1826 being exceedingly imperfect; and as Burmah continued shut against our labors, and there were several missionaries in this place, I concluded that I could not do better than to comply.
“We are apt to magnify the importance of any undertaking in which we are warmly engaged. Perhaps it is from the influence of that principle, that, notwithstanding my long-cherished aversion to the work, I have come to think it very important; and that, having seen the accomplishment of two objects on which I had set my heart when I first came out to the East, the establishment of a church of converted natives and the translation of the Bible into their language, I now beguile my daily toil with the prospect of compassing a third, which may be compared to a causeway, designed tofacilitate the transmission of all knowledge, religious and scientific, from one people to the other.
“It was my first intention to make a single work, Burmese and English; but as I proceeded, I discovered many reasons for constructing a double work, in two parts, the first English and Burmese, the second Burmese and English. I hope, by daily, uninterrupted labor, to have the whole ready for the press by the end of 1845. Not, indeed, that I count on living so long. Above thirty years spent in a tropical climate—to-day is the twenty-ninth anniversary of my arrival in Burmah—leaves but little ground to build future plans upon. But I feel it my duty to plod on, while daylight shall last, looking out for the night, and ready to bequeath both the plodding and the profit to any brother who shall be willing to carry on and complete the work when I shall have obtained my discharge.”
46. Forbes, in his “British Burmah.”
46. Forbes, in his “British Burmah.”
47. Mrs. Webb.
47. Mrs. Webb.
48. The reader is referred to Mrs. E. C. Judson’s charming memoir of Mrs. Sarah B. Judson.
48. The reader is referred to Mrs. E. C. Judson’s charming memoir of Mrs. Sarah B. Judson.
49. George Dana Boardman, D.D., Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Philadelphia.
49. George Dana Boardman, D.D., Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Philadelphia.
50. See page110.
50. See page110.
51. Burman tracts.
51. Burman tracts.
52. See page 405.
52. See page 405.
53. Now the principal of a ladies’ school in Minneapolis.
53. Now the principal of a ladies’ school in Minneapolis.
54. Now a physician in New York City.
54. Now a physician in New York City.
55. Pwen, a flower. A name given to Adoniram by the natives.
55. Pwen, a flower. A name given to Adoniram by the natives.
56. The child died shortly afterward at Serampore.
56. The child died shortly afterward at Serampore.
57. At present living in Plymouth, Mass.
57. At present living in Plymouth, Mass.