temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity." And thus, they And thus, they would neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

For the American Bap. Mag. NON-ESSENTIAL.

This term, it is conceived, is often used in a latitude which neither scripture nor reason will justify. If a duty has become unfashionable, so that the performance of it would be a cross to a proud heart, it is only necessary to persuade one's self that it is non-essential, and the conscience will be easily quieted.

But that some things are essential to the existence of whatever does exist, is a self evident proposition. Hence some things are vitally important to the existence of religion, as well as to all other things, and without which it cannot exist. There are other things which may be considered merely as appendages, and not as essential parts. Such for instance, as the position of the body in prayer. This duty may be acceptably performed, either standing, kneeling, or prostrate, provided the heart be right. So also in public worship, whether it be commenced with prayer, with singing, or with reading the holy scriptures, is not essential to acceptable worship, if the services are performed in spirit and in truth.

we

Religion in the soul, is by the apostle called the new man: may therefore make use of this figure, to illustrate our subject. Man contemplated as a distinct species, may be considered as perfect when all his members are complete, and when the bodily organs regularly discharge their proper functions. Add any thing to such a body, and you will perceive, that the addition is wholly superfluous and useless:

take any thing from it, and it will appear maimed and defective.

A man, however, may lose one or more of his limbs, and yet exist, and enjoy a good measure of health and vigour. But separate the head, or destroy the action of the heart, and he will expire in a moment. These parts then, must be considered as vitally important to existence. But shall we say, because a man may exist with the loss of a leg or an arm, that these members are therefore not essential parts of the body? Surely not. For though the body may exist without them, it nevertheless exists in an imperfect, disfigured state. Its beauty and usefulness are greatly marred.

Thus it is with religion; it will be admitted, that it may exist in the soul where much imperfection both in faith and practice, still remain. Yet there are some articles of faith, without the belief of which, it is impossible, according to the scriptures, to pronounce the man Christian.

A man may practise numerous religious rites, and be conscientionsly devout, and yet be far from being a Christian. There are religious Pagans, and devout Mussulmans, but they are not Christians. A man may be devout even to enthusiasm, although his religion be entirely

false.

On the other hand, there are others who bear the name of Christians, who are so very indifferent to many parts of divine revelation, that it is difficult to determine what they believe, or whether they believe at all. Such would do well to compare their faith with what Christ said to the Jews: "If ye believe not that I AM HE, ye shall die in your sins." Upon this, they immediately asked, "Who art thou? And Jesus said unto them, the same that I said unto you from the beginning." What character did Christ claim from the beginning? Did he only claim that of an inspired man! or did he claim that of the Son of

among the non-essential duties of Christianity? It stands upon the same footing with the command to commemorate the Saviour's death until he comes. And no more importance is attached to the latter than to the former. If it should be asked, whether we consider baptism essential to salvation, we should answer in the negative. We should give the same answer respecting the Lord's supper. We do not con

sider a hand or a foot essential to life; but they are both essential to the perfection of the body. So is baptism and the Lord's supper to the perfection of the church or body of Christ. Where either of the ordinances are omitted, there is something wanting which needs to be set in order.

With a view to counteract the feelings of those, who discover a zeal which rises a little above indif ference, to have the first positive institute regarded in its primitive purity, and as it was delivered to the saints; its advocates are com pared to the ancient Pharisees, whom Jesus admonished for paying tithe of mint, and anise, and cummin, and omitting the weightier matters of the law. But it should be observed, that it was not for what they did, but what they omitted, that Jesus pronounced the wo upon them for with regard to the tithes

he said, these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Let us then be no longer indifferent to any of the commands of Christ,nor deterred from obedience, by the perpetual cry of non-essential. But let us be careful to "observe all things" which were given in charge by the Saviour to his disciples in the great commission. If we would be perfect, and entire, wanting nothing," we must obey the whole will of God.

If an individual, or even a whole church,should for any reasons whatever, live in the habitual neglect of any of the positive commands of Christ, although we may allow the one to be a Christian, and the other a Christian church, yet they cannot be said to be perfect, and entire, wanting nothing.

BURMAH.

MR. JUDSON'S JOURNAL, CONTINUED

FROM NOVEMBER 18, 1821. DECEMBER 9, Lord's day-I begin to hope that one more Burman has felt the vivifying influence of

divine truth. He is an old acquaintance of Moung Ing; and from him he received his first impressions. He has visited me several times; but it was not till to day that he expressed his first determination to worship the eternal GoD all his life

long." He is a man in low lifehas no family--and his name is Moung Thah.

Moung Yo, one of the semi-athe ists of Pab-tsooan-doung, formerly a disciple of Moung Shwa-gnong, has re-commenced visiting me, accompanied by one Moung Bo, of very simliar character, lately returned from Martaban. They are both `men of sterling sense, and considerable learning, and have almost renounced Boodhism in all its forms; for I begin to find, that the semiatheism, which I have sometimes mentioned, is nothing but a refined Boodhism, having its foundation in the Boodhist scriptures.

Dec. 11th.-Received a note from Dr. Price, communicating the animating intelligence of his arrival off the mouth of the river.

Dec. 13th.-Enjoyed the great satisfaction of welcoming brother and sister Price at the place of landing, and of conducting them to the mission-house.

Jan. 20th.-Another season of rejoicing, occasioned by the arrival of brother Hough and family.

March 12th-Have had nothing to notice lately, except the progress of the translation. During a few months past, I have finished Matthew, (a new translation,) Mark, and Luke, and this day pass into Romans, the intermediate books be ing previously done.

May 3d--We have just consigned to the grave the remains of our dear sister Price. She died yesterday, after a few days of severe suffering, from a bowel complaint; and we are left to mourn over one of the heaviest losses, that our mission could sustain. Her short residence among us had developed the most excellent qualities, and endeared her to us all. Her patience, and gentleness, and kindness, and above all, her spirit of fervent piety, we had learned highly to appreciate, but never so highly as when we bent over her dying bed. Previous to the loss of her reason, a

few hours before her departure, she continued in the uninterrupted enjoyment of religious consolation and peace. The topic on which she most frequently spoke, was the support she obtained from trusting in Jesus, under the sharp pains which she endured, and in prospect of the great change before her. We cannot doubt, that her highest expectations are more than realized, that she is now before the throne of God and the Lamb, in that blessed world, where pain and sickness, sin and death, are felt and feared no more.

June 30th.-Am just recovering from severe illness. A few weeks ago, was taken with a fever, slight at first, but daily increasing in violence, until the event became very dubious. On recovering from the effects of the fever, and just resuming the translation, I was suddenly seized with the cholera morbus, though that disease is not now prev. alent in the place; and several hours of suffering elapsed, before medicine took effect. This, with the quantity of opium and laudanum administered, deprived me of the little remaining strength which the fever left me, and I am now scarcely able to hold a pen. It is singular that last rainy season, I was sub ject to these same diseases, though in different order; and I ascribe it to the ascendency which the climate of Rangoon is obtaining over my constitution. If it be the will of God, I feel desirous of living to finish the New-Testament in Burman, a work which must otherwise be suspended for some time.

July 14th, Lord's day.--For several months past I have been so engrossed in the translation, that I have not solicited company so much as formerly, nor found time to mention the noticeable events of a missionary nature, that have occasionally transpired, especially as they have passed away, without much permanent result. Within a few weeks, however, there have been

several circumstances of such an encouraging kind, as induces me to mention them in connexion. The first that excited our attention was the case of Men-oo, a blind girl, resident in our yard, under the medical care of brother Price. She received her first ideas of religion from Moung Shwa ba, and after attending evening worship a few times, appeared to have her heart opened to divine truth. About the same time, Moung Myat-lah received some new excitement, that induced him and his neighbour, Moung Thah-a to re-commence attending public worship, which they have not done since Moung Shwa-gnong's persecution and flight. They are both, we hope, true Christians, but have not yet obtained sufficient light and courage to profess religion. The case of May Mee is somewhat similar. She is an old woman-a disciple of Moung Shwa-gnong-formerly acquainted with Mrs. J. bat apparently unsusceptible of any impressions. It is now two or three months, since she commenced visiting us, and listening with uncommon attention to religious conver sation. At length, she began to attend public worship regularly;and during the last interview, she manifested much of that deep solemnity, which has uniformly characterized the newly converted. Last in order, but not least in interest, is the case of Mah Doke. She is a relation and inmate of the Nandau-gong sisters, and her name sometimes occurs in the journal about two years ago, in connexion with theirs. She was once equally forward with Mah Myat-la; but subsequently lost her impressions, and remained quite stupid, till within a few weeks, during which time she has been more frequent in her visits, and more serious and atten tive. Last Sunday, she requested baptism; and to-day, she has undergone a particular examination to the great satisfaction of us all Add to these circumstances, that Moung

Shwa-gnong has lately returned from the interior, on a visit, and concluded to stay a while with us, partly as teacher to brother Price. He has evidently grown in religious experience; his conversation is more spiritual, and he seems more attached than ever to us and the

cause.

July 15th.-Received a visit from Pah Kyah, an old disciple of Moung Shwa-gnong. His father was an adherent of the celebrated Kolan, who suffered under the reign of the last king for semi-atheism. This man has been an anti-boodhist all his life; but having, from long op position to all around him, become inveterately attached to his peculiar sentiments, seemed to be the last person to consider and embrace a new religion. He obtained some ideas of God from Moung Shwagnong, but not sufficient to induce him to visit us before to-day. Our conversation related chiefly to the law of God, and the nature and evil of sin, points in which he was entirely ignorant. He professed to believe and acquiesce in what he heard; but I fear that his feelings are at variance with his professions.

July 20th.-My hopes of finishing the New-Testament, without interruption, all blasted, by the arrival of an order from the king, summoning brother Price to Ava, on account of his medical skill. I must, of course, accompany him, and endeavour to take advantage of the circumstance to gain some footing in the capital and the palace. But it is most repugnant to my feelings to leave my present pursuits and prospects in Rangoon. May the Lord direct.

July 21st, Lord's day --Another visit from Pah Kyah. He has meditated deeply on what he heard at the last interview; and though his first appearance was rough and forbidding, he drinks in divine truth, and yields to its soul subduing power.

A larger assembly this day than