A History of American Baptist Missions in Asia, Africa, Europe and North America

LABORS of Mr. Judson at Rangoon. -- Study of the Language. -- Burmah: its People: Government: Religion. -- Arrival of Rev. Mr. Hough with a Printing Press. -- Translation of the Scriptures commenced. -- Books printed. -- First Burman Inquirer.

IT was not till the 5th of September, 1815, that the packet containing the intelligence of the formation of the Baptist Missionary Convention, with an account of its proceedings, reached Mr. Judson at Rangoon. He had been residing there more than two years, diligently engaged in the study of the language, and in observing, the condition of the country and the character of the people. During this period Mrs. Judson had suffered from alarming sickness, and was now absent at Madras for the recovery of her health. In this solitary condition, thus separated from the only person on whom he could rely for sympathy and society, we may imagine how welcome were the tidings, which now came to him, of the organization of the Convention, and the awakening of a missionary spirit so widely among the churches. He contemplated these results with a delight such as no other events could have awakened, and recorded them in his journal with pious gratitude, as new proofs of God's merciful designs for the benighted heathen.

The mission in Burmah might now be considered as fairly started, and placed on a basis that promised to secure its permanency, and, with the favor of Heaven, its ultimate success. The difficulties and obstacles, however, that lay before the missionary were such as might have dismayed any but the most resolute faith, and the most indomitable perseverance. The language was one which presented many difficulties, especially to a person unaccustomed to the dialects of the East, and obliged to commence its acquisition only with the most imperfect aids; and, though possessed of unusual aptitude for this species of study,

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