“That this Committee cordially sympathize, on this mournful occasion, with the immediate connexions of Dr. Carey, by whose death, not merely the Missionary circle with which he was most intimately associated, but the Christian world at large, has sustained no common loss. The Committee gratefully record, that this venerable and highly-esteemed servant of God had a principal share in the formation of the Baptist Missionary Society; and devoted himself, at its very commencement, to the service of the heathen, amidst complicated difficulties and discouragements, with an ardour and perseverance which nothing but Christian benevolence could inspire, and which only a strong and lively faith in God could sustain. Endowed with extraordinary talents for the acquisition of foreign languages, he delighted to consecrate them to the noble purpose of unfolding to the nations of the East the Holy Scriptures in their own tongue: a department of sacred labour in which it pleased God to honour him far beyond any predecessor or contemporary in the Missionary field. Nor was Dr. Carey less eminent for the holiness of his personal character. Throughout life he adorned the gospel of God his Saviour by the spirituality of his mind and the uprightness of his conduct; and especially, by the deep and unaffected humility which proved how largely he had imbibed the spirit of his blessed master.
“In paying this brief and imperfect tribute to the memory of this great and good man, who was long their associate in Missionary exertion, and whom they have never ceased to regard with feelings of the utmost veneration and respect, it is the anxious desire of the Committee to glorify God in him. May a review of what divine grace accomplished in and by this faithful servant of the Redeemer, awaken lively gratitude, and strengthen the devout expectation that He, with whom is the residue of the Spirit, will favour his church with renewed proofs of his love and care by thrusting forth many such labourers into the harvest!”
It is expected that Mr. Eustace Carey will compile, from the materials in possession of the Missionary Committee, and from the correspondence maintained by the Doctor with his relations in this country during the whole course of his residence in India, a Memoir of his venerable relative.
BURMAH.
By a letter from Mr. Judson to Dr. Bolles, dated Maulmein, December 31st, 1833, we learn that a Christian church has been formed at Ava; the capital of the empire, where two converts, one the wife of Kv Hʻlay, an old Rangoon disciple, and the other a respectable inhabitant of the city, were baptized in the preceding month.
This prosperous Mission now comprises five churches, at Maulmein, Tavoy, Mergui, Rangoon, and Ava; and the whole number who have received baptism at these several stations, is five hundred and ninety-seven.
A month afterwards, Mr. Judson was favoured to complete his translation of the whole Scriptures into the Burman language. Our readers will sympathize with the feelings which dictated the following entry made on this occasion in the journal of this devoted Missionary. We are happy to add that, although Mr. Judson has felt it his duty to construct his version on the principle adopted by our Calcutta brethren, this circumstance will not impede its circulation, the American Bible Society having rendered prompt and liberal assistance towards the printing.
January 31st, 1834. Thanks be to God! I can now say, “I have attained.” I have knelt down before him, with the last leaf in my hand, and, imploring his forgiveness for all the sins which have polluted my labours in this department, and his aid in future efforts, to remove the errors and imperfections which necessarily cleave to the work, I have commended it to his mercy and grace: I have dedicated it to his glory. May he make his own inspired word, now complete in the Burman tongue, the grand instrument of filling all Burmah with songs of praises to our Great God and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen.