Judson, Adoniram, 1788-1850; Missionaries -- Burma -- Biography; Missionaries -- United States -- Biography
“Oo Yan, after having searched out all the difficult points of
religion, came to-day to the _ne plus ultra_—How are sin and eternal
misery reconcilable with the character of an infinitely holy, wise,
and powerful God? He at length obtained such satisfaction that he
could not restrain laughing, from pure mental delight, and kept
recurring to the subject, and repeating my remarks to those around
him. He was accompanied, as usual, by his two friends, Moung Thah-a
and Moung Myat-lah, husband of Mah Men-la. With these came also one
Moung Yo, a disciple of Moung Shwa-gnong, a poor man, but a sharp
reasoner. He was, or pretended to be, on the semi-atheistic plan.
After ascertaining his precise ground, I used an argument which, in a
late combat with Oo Yan, I found quite invincible. It is simply this:
‘No mind, no wisdom; temporary mind, temporary wisdom; eternal mind,
eternal wisdom.’ Now, as all the semi-atheists firmly believe in
eternal wisdom, this concise statement sweeps with irresistible sway
through the very joints and marrow of their system. And, though it may
seem rather simple and inconclusive to one unacquainted with Burman
reasoning, its effect is uniformly decisive. No sooner is this short
sentence uttered than one significantly nods his head, as if to say,
‘There you have it.’ Another cries out to the opponent, ‘You are
undone, destroyed.’ Another says, ‘Talk about wisdom! where else will
you find it?’ The disputant himself, who was perhaps preparing a
learned speech about the excellence, and efficacy, and eternity of
wisdom, quite disconcerted by this unexpected onset, sits looking at
the wreck of his system, and wondering at the simple means which has
spread such ruin around him; presently he looks up (for the Burmans
are frequently candid), and says, ‘Your words are very appropriate’;
and perhaps his next question is, ‘How can I become a disciple of the
God you worship?’ All the visitors to-day, and, indeed, all the
semi-atheists, are despisers of Gaudama and the established religion
of the land. Moung Shwa-gnong has disseminated this heresy in Rangoon
for several years; but since he has become acquainted with us, he
frequently tells his adherents, ‘I know nothing; if you want true
wisdom, go to the foreign teacher, and there you will find it.’ I have
reason to believe that this heresy is not confined to Rangoon, but is
taking root in various parts of the country and preparing the way for
the Christian religion. O for toleration—a little toleration! We will
be content to baptize in the night, and hold worship in private; but
we do pray that we may not be utterly banished from the land; that we
may not be cut up, root and branch. O that these poor souls, who are
groping in the dark, feeling after the truth, may have time and
opportunities to find the precious treasure which will enrich them
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account