a season, and a time to every purpose under the sun." Sometimes for reasons which infinite wisdom approves and eternal rectitude will vindicate, the hand of God is hidden in his bosom-while, at other seasons, it is revealed. We have lived to see the period when "the Lord has made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations;" when minor exhibitions of mercy lose their importance in a glory that excelleth. "Itis a light thing," saith the Lord, "that thou shouldest be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel; I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation to the ends of the earth." The Convention has observed with abundant satisfaction, the cheerful and liberal exertions of pious females. These have formed numerous societies, and in several instances sent their delegates, consisting for the most part of ministering brethren, to the general meeting. They sincerely hope that such as have commenced this blessed service will abound in it more and more, and that many others will Copy their luminous example. Every enlightened female must know that where Christianity exists not, the character of woman is shamefully degraded. Our Lord, when on earth, welcomed the ministra tions of holy women, and he welcomes them still. Is it prophesied "the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift?" the daughters of America have already anticipated her offering. In perusing the recent accounts from our Missionary brethren in Asia, it is pleasing to observe that their labours are very much directed to the establishment of schools among the heathen, for the education of youth. This effort, the result of wisdom and experience, promises extensive good. The attention of the juvenile mind is easily arrested. Prejudices against Christian teachers are destroyed in the blossom, and it may reasonably be hoped, with the blessing of God, that the young offspring of idolaters, trained up in the way in which they should go, when old will not depart from it. While the Convention cordially approves, and heartily rejoices in the lovely project, they cannot forget that there are thousands of our youth in the United States that need similar instructions. Sunday schools are multiplying in America-It is most solemnly wished that you may feel the importance of such institutions, and that you endeavour to originate and support them to the utmost extent of your ability. The loss of a number of celebrat ed Grecian youth is by one of their orators compared to the loss of the buds of spring. Too much attention to the tuition of the rising generation can scarcely be paid. They are the buds from which future fruit is to be collected. It is hoped that such as have it in their power will not conceive property ill-employed when used for this very important end. Such as cannot command funds for instruction, ought to be taken under the zealous and faithful management of Sunday school establishments. To the subject of education, generally, the mind of the Convention has been seriously directed. They stated, in part, their ideas relative to this point, in their first address. They wish to recall your attention to this most interesting topic, particularly in relation to such pious young men, as shall possess talents which promise usefulness in the Word. They are fully sensible, that, in relation to grace in the heart, a sacred necessity compelling to the work, and the valuable success that shall accompany pulpit labour, the Lord alone can make able ministers of the New Testament: but when they mark the advantages which those servants of the church enjoy who can read the lively oracles in their original languages; when they consider the improved, and rapidly improving state of society, in which the grammar of the English language is generally taught; when they mark the zeal which other Christian societies are exercising on this subject, and the advantages which it secures them; when they consider how much literary assistance is desired by godly and intelligent young men, and the facility with which it may be obtained by a little, generous, and common exertion, they feel compelled, affectionately and importunately, to solicit your bounty and influence. A scheme in favour of education being introduced, the Convention were unanimous as to the importance of the subject, and left it in charge with the Board to give it that maturity and publicity which they shall approve. It is hoped that something on this point will be speedily and vigorously attempted. It is certain education may be abused, and so may health, and food, and civil liberty, and every blessing of earth and heaven; but it is equally certain that it may be improved for purposes profitable to the church of God, and conducive to the best interests of thousands. The difficulties on this subject felt by some pious brethren, are, like vapours of the morning, vanishing. The agency employed within the United States by the Board, for giv ing birth and stability to Mission Societies, and efficient operation to a plan of systematic general intercourse, is fully approved by the Convention. They believe that the continuance of such an agency will be of signal use to the cause of God. When the royal prophet prayed, "O Lord send out thy light and thy truth!" he subjoined the request, let it "lead me and guide me." Missionary endeavours will be of no avail to our persona! welfare, without the spirit of individual religion.-Let family worship be solemnly regarded. Remember, beloved friends, conscientiously remember, the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Encourage prayer meetings, and especially the monthly prayer meeting for the spread of the gospel. Walk worthy of God unto all well pleasing, and contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints. God of his mercy grant that when the Judge of all the earth shall appear, you and we may be accepted of him, "not having on our own righteousness, which is of the law, but the righteousness which is of God by faith." Yours, affectionately, in the gospel, RICHARD FURMAN, Pres DANIEL SHARP, Secr'y. BURMAN MISSION. Extract of a letter from Rev. Mr. JUDSON, to Dr STAUGHTON, dated RANGOON, August 3, 1816. Rev. and dear, Sir, FOUR months have now elapsed since I was seized with a nervous affection of my head and eyes, which has prevented my making any advance in the language, and the greater part of the time has incapacitated me for even writing a letter. I had fully made up my mind to take passage to Bengal, with Captain Kidd, a pious man, who has been living with us for the last two months, when the news reached us that brother Hough had arrived in Bengal, and might be expected here in a few weeks. Icon. sequently concluded to wait for the present, and take some future opportunity of trying the sea air, and getting some medical assistance, without which I have, for some time, feared that I should never be able to apply myself again to my studies. Within a few days, how ever, I have felt more relief from the pain and distressing weakness of my eyes, than I have known since I was first taken; and I begin to hope, that the measures I am now pursuing will issue in my recovery, without a voyage at sea. Since the 11th of last April, I have not been able to read a page in a Burman book. During this period, I found that I could attend, with less pain, to the compilation of a Burman grammar, than to any other study. And this I was induced to persevere in, from the hope, that if I was never again able to prosecute the study of the language, the knowledge I have hitherto acquired, would not be wholly lost to a successor. The grammar is now completed, and I had fully intended to forward you a copy by this conveyance; but I find, that in my present state, it is impossible for me to transcribe it. All that I can do at present is to send you a copy of a Burman tract, which has been chiefly composed during the same period, and which I accompany with an English translation. The Burman original is pronounced, by my teacher and others, not only intelligible, but perspicuous; and to get this printed was one object that I had in view in going to Bengal. Brother Hough has, however, just sent round a press and types, which are now in the Rangoon river; and as he expects to follow himself the first opportunity; and, as I have heard, understands the printing business, I hope the time is not far distant, when we shall have a bit of bread to give to the starving, perishing Burmans, around us. It will probably be impossible to keep the press long in Rangoon. It will be ordered up to Ava, as soon as the news of such a curiosity reaches the king's ears. Nor is this to be regretted; under the overruling providence of God, it may open a wide door to missionary exertions. Two of us would remove to Ava. But we could not subsist there, without an intermediate station at Rangoon. In this view of things, it would be very desirable, that another man should be found to accompany brother Rice. If I should say two men more, with brother Rice, as I wish to do, it might appear inconsistent with something I wrote sometime ago. However, the press and a station at Ava quite alter the circumstances. I have been led to think and inquire more about Ava of late, by a report that is in circulation, that I am soon to be ordered up to Ava myself. And the more I think of it, the more I am inclined to believe, that it is the way in which the gospel is to be introduced into this empire. But whoever comes, I hope they will have more grace, more talent, and more sweetness of disposition than I have. These are three essentials requisite in a missionary, especially the latter, if he expects to be united with others. The British Baptists have made a noble beginning in Western India. It remains for the American Bap tists to make an attempt on the Eastern side. But we need a Carey, a Marshman, and a Ward. As for myself, I fear I shall prove only a pioneer, and do a little in preparing the way for others. But such as I am, I feel devoted to the work, and with the grace of God, and the help of the society, am resolved to persevere to the end of my life. I presume that Mr. Hough has brought many letters from America, but I have received none as yet. I have hitherto received two letters only from you, one of July, and the other of December, 1814. I remain, &c. A. JUDSON. COMMUNICATION FROM REV. Rangoon, Novem. 7th, 1816. Rev. and dear Sir, Ir is with peculiar satisfaction that we are, at length, able to address a letter to the Board, in our joint capacity. We had a joyful meeting in this place, the 15th ult. Mr. Hough has settled in one part of the Mission-house; and we are now united, both as a church of Christ, and as a mission society. Our regulations on the latter point, we here submit to the Board. It will be evident, at first sight, that these regulations have a prospective view, and are framed somewhat differently from what they would have been, had we not expected that our society would soon be enlarged. But we hope that the time is not far distant, when they will receive the signature of brother Rice also. Indeed we hope for more than this; we hope that one or two others will be found to accompany Mr. Rice. It is true that one of us remained about three years in this place, without uttering any Macedonian cries. But we apprehend, that the time is now come, when it is consistent with the strictest prudence to lift up our voice and say, Come over the ocean and help us. By a residence of three years in this country, many doubts which at first occurred, are removed; and many points concerning the practicability of a mission, and the prospect of success, are ascertained. We cannot now enter much into detail; but we desire to say, that we consider the mission established in this land. We unite in opinion, that a wide door is set open for the introduction of the religion of Jesus into this great empire. We have at present no governmental interdict to encounter, and no great er obstacles than such as oppose the progress of missionaries in every heathen land. It appears to us (and may it so appear to our fathers and brethren) that God, in removing the English mission from this place, and substituting in their stead, an American mission, is emphatically calling on the American churches to compassionate the poor Burmans, and to send their silver, and their gold, and their young men, to this eastern part of the world, to the help of the Lord against the mighty. is From the accompanying articles of agreement, you will be able to form some idea of the probable expense of a mission to this country. The monthly appropriation for subsistence will necessarily be enlarged as our families increase. It was originally fixed by the brethren at Serampore, and has been found by Mr. Judson, just sufficient to meet the common expenses for food and clothing. No expense yet incurred for building or houserent, as we are permitted to occupy the Mission-house, erected by Messrs. Chater and Carey, and which is the property of the socie ty in England. It is difficult to form any estimate of extra mission expenses, such as (according to the Serampore plan) fall not within the compass of the regular monthly allowance. These will be much t larger than they are at present, when we commence operations on a larger scale. We propose to forward to the Board, at the close of every year, a general summary of receipts and expenditures, on ac count of the mission. It is with great pleasure that we announce the valuable present of a press and Burman types, made to us by the Serampore brethren. We are now closing in a room for a temporary printing office; and hope very soon to issue a Gospel tract, which has been in readiness some time, and which is intended to give the heathen around us some idea of the way of salvation through the Lord Jesus. But we cannot move one step in the way of printing, without money. Though fa 1817.] COMMUNICATION FROM MESSRS. JUDSON AND HOUGH. voured with the press, in the first instance, gratis, we have already expended in paper, freight and sundries, about four hundred rupees. We therefore beg an immediate appropriation, not only to liquidate the expenses already incurred, but to enable us to proceed in this allimportant part of our work. The accounts of the mission press we propose to keep distinct; and they shall be submitted together with the accounts of the mission. We know not how long the press will be permitted to remain in Rangoon; we do not, however, deprecate its removal to Ava. Such a measure would doubtless tend to the furtherance of the cause, and to the introduction of religion into the very heart of the empire, where Satan's seat is. But in this case, more men and more money would be imperiously demanded; and we trust that the patronage of the Board will not fail us in these necessary points. We desire humbly to repeat to the Board, what the first missionaries from the Baptist society in England, said to their friends, when on the point of embarkation in the great work which seems destined to illumine Western India with the light of the gospel. "We are," said they, "like men going down into a well; you stand at the top, and hold the ropes. Do not let us fall." Hold us up, brethren and fathers; and if health and life be spared to us, we hope, through the grace of God, to see Eastern India also beginning to participate in the same glorious light. Many years may intervene, in the latter, as well as in the former case; many difficulties and disappointments may try your faith and ours. But let patience have her perfect work; let us not be weary of well doing; for in due time we shall reap, if we faint not. Your servants in the Lord Jesus, GEORGE H. HOUGH. REV. WILLIAM STAUGHTON, D.D. Cor. Sec. of Baptist Board of Missions. 183 ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT. IN order more effectually, under the blessing of our Lord and Master, to accomplish the important work for which we have come into this heathen land, we following principles, viz. the undesigned, form a union on the 1. We give ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ, and to one another by the will of God. 2. We agree to be kindly affectioned one towards another with brotherly love, in honour preferring one another; feeling that we have one Master, even Christ, and that all we are brethren. sole object on earth is to introduce the 3. We agree in the opinion, that our religion of Jesus Christ into the empire of Burmah; and that the means by which we hope to effect this, are translating, printing, and distributing the holy Scriptures; preaching the Gospel ; circulating religious Tracts, and promoting the instruction of native children. 4. We therefore agree to engage in no secular buisness, for the purpose of individual emolument: and not at all, unless, in the opinion of the brethren, the great object of the mission can be best promoted thereby. 5. We agree to relinquish all private right to remittances from America, service; in a word, to place all money avails of labour, and compensation for and property, from whatever quarter accruing, in the mission fund: Provided, that nothing in this article be construed to affect our private right to inheritances, or personal favours, not made in compensation of service. 6. We agree that all the members of the mission family have claims on the mission fund for equal support, in similar circumstances; the claims of widows and orphans not to be, in the least, family. But it is to be understood, that affected by the death of the head of their no one shall have a right to adopt a child into the mission family, so as to entitle it to the claims secured in this article, but by consent of the brethren. 7. We agree to educate our children, with a particular reference to the object of the mission; and if any expense be necessary or expedient for this purpose, it shall be defrayed from the mis sion fund. fund shall be made by a majority of 8. All appropriations from the mission the missionary brethren united in this compact; subject, however, to the inspection of our patrons, the Board. A. JUDSON. GEORGE H. HOUGH. N. B. It is hardly necessary to ob |