Judson, Adoniram, 1788-1850; Missionaries -- Burma -- Biography; Missionaries -- United States -- Biography
“_October 1._ To-day the king noticed me for the first time, though I
have appeared before him nearly every day since our arrival. After
making some inquiries, as usual, about brother Price, he added, ‘And
you in black, what are you? A medical man, too?’ ‘Not a medical man,
but a teacher of religion, your majesty.’ He proceeded to make a few
inquiries about my religion, and then put the alarming question
whether any had embraced it. I evaded, by saying, ‘Not here.’ He
persisted. ‘Are there any in Rangoon?’ ‘There are a few.’ ‘Are they
foreigners?’ I trembled for the consequences of an answer, which might
involve the little church in ruin; but the truth must be sacrificed,
or the consequences hazarded, and I therefore replied, ‘There are some
foreigners and some Burmans.’ He remained silent a few moments, but
presently showed that he was not displeased, by asking a great variety
of questions on religion, and geography, and astronomy, some of which
were answered in such a satisfactory manner as to occasion a general
expression of approbation in all the court present. After his majesty
retired, a than-dau-sen (a royal secretary) entered into conversation,
and allowed me to expatiate on several topics of the Christian
religion, in my usual way. And all this took place in the hearing of
the very man, now an a-twen-woon, who, many years ago, caused his
uncle to be tortured almost to death under the iron mall for
renouncing Buddhism and embracing the Roman Catholic religion; but I
knew it not at the time, though, from his age, a slight suspicion of
the truth passed across my mind. Thanks to God for the encouragement
of this day! The monarch of the empire has distinctly understood that
some of his subjects have embraced the Christian religion, and his
wrath has been restrained. Let us then hope that, as he becomes more
acquainted with the excellence of the religion, he will be more and
more willing that his subjects should embrace it.
“_October 3._ Left the boat, and moved into the house ordered to be
erected for us by the king. A mere temporary shed, however, it proves
to be, scarcely sufficient to screen us from the gaze of people
without or from the rain above. It is situated near the present
palace, and joins the enclosure of Prince M., eldest half brother of
the king.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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