Memoir of Mrs. Eliza G. Jones : missionary to Burmah and Siam
-fc^ X?- "S'i^ '..n '■■•.f »ryi>- •*~^- Sfe-fr- .^ ,<S^ ^ UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. ^r-^M^ £■ ^' MEMOIR o F \.i- MRS. ELIZA G. JONES, MISSIONARY TO BURMAH AND SIAM. REVISED BY THE COMMITTEE OF PUBLICATION. PHILADELPUIJI : [Wy AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION AND SUNDAY SCHOOL SOCIETY. No. 21 South Fourth Street. 1842. 3 V 3705 Entered accordiDg to the Act of Congress, in the year 154*2, by WILLIAM W. KEEN, Treasurer of the Am. Bap. Pub. and S. S. Society: in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Eastern District of Penn'a. PHI LABEL PHIa: KING & BAIRD, PRINTERS, No. 9 George Street. MEMOIR. Mrs. Eliza G. Jones was the eldest child of Henry and Susan Grew. She was born in Providence, R. L, March 30th, 1803. After mentioning an early developement of a desire for knowledge and an intellectual aptitude to attain it, nothing of peculiar interest is to be recorded of her youthful period, until He, who gave her existence, imparted to her that boon of sovereign love which renders that existence blissful and glorious forever. Early instructed in regard to her relation to the God of her being and her mercies, and his claims to her love and service ; faithfully informed that she pertained to that family, all the members of which are " by na- ture children of wrath," and that there is no deliverance from this state of condemnation but by being born of the Spirit of God, it pleased Him, who hath mercy on whom he will have 4 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. mercy, to crown these instructions with the effi- cacy of his precious grace. Of this divine favour, the following letter to a friend presents an interesting recital. Hartford, January 1st, 1823. In giving you an account of my past experi- ence, dear , I hardly know where to begin ; should I tell you of my first serious thoughts, I must point you as far back as the sixth or seventh year of my age ; for I recollect exhorting my schoolfellows to repentance and reformation, and exciting their sympathies and my own, by a recital of the goodness of God, at that age. But the serious impressions of my childhood, although often pungent, were like the morning cloud and the early dew, which vanish away. Always ardent in my feelings, with tlie gay I have ever been the gayest; with the wild, the wildest; with the serious, the most serious; in joy, the most elated; in sorrow, the most afflict- ed ; and if I have at any time attained a proper medium, it has cost me a great deal of pains to preserve it. The conversation of my father, the closing of the year, the recurrence of my birth-day, and especially the perusal of Mrs. MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G, JONES. 5 Newell's writings, have all been sources of awakening to my conscience. In the year 1814, there was a revival of reli- gion in this town, and about that time I was under the influence of religious impressions, more or less, for more than a year, and at one time almost thought that I had experienced a change of heart. I however did not dare to speak of my feelings to any one, but thought my conduct should decide whether I was a Christian or not, both for myself and others. Alas ! the case was soon decided. I could not give up the world, (which was dearer to me at that age, than it has ever been since,) of course could not serve Jesus. My impressions gradu- ally died away, and at last I lost them. In March, 1820, I went to Boston: while there, I indulged in all the sin and vanity that I dared. But conscience had not yet ceased to do her office, and, to appease her, I had recourse to a system of self-righteousness, consistent with the erroneous doctrine, which I was in the habit of hearing from the pulpit at that time. I pretended to read my Bible, and to ''thank God" twice a day, and asked for those temporal blessings which I wishedf or; spiritual blessings I did not 6 MEMOIR OF MRS. K, G. JONES. consider needful, and often, (as you may well imagine,) I either forgot or neglected to ask for any. In short, I endeavoured to force myself into the belief that a change of heart was a mere chimera, and that the promise, " believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved," meant merely this : believe that such a person as Jesus Christ came into the world and died for sinners, and his blood shall atone for all your sins, without your care or attention. In this dreadful state of presumption and carnal security, I returned to Hartford, in the month of Novem- ber. Oh! had I reraamed there, [in Boston,] as I wished, I might have been confirmed in the awful delusion, and gone down to hell with a lie in my right hand. In the whole course of my life, I never was so much opposed to conviction, yet conviction I could not withstand. I thought I would put it off until after I had attended a party to which I expected soon to be invited, and then I would set about seeking religion in earnest. I had no sooner made this resolution, than all my seriousness vanished. In vain did I try to obtain it after the party was over. It was gone, nor would the most searching sermons have any efiect upon me, till one evening, as I was sitting MKMOIP^ OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 7 in the Baptist vestry, before the services com- menced, the idea was suggested to me that ^he spirit of the Lord had departed, and that I was given over to destruction. A few days after, I read some remarks upon the unpardonable sin, and became convinced that my day of grace was over. About this time I staid a night at Wethers- field, where the Lord was then powerfully at work. The sight of the young converts there was very painful to me, for I believed that I should never feel any more conviction. I could not bear to look at them, or hear them speak; and, after meeting, I walked alone to the house where I lodged, and retired as soon as possible, in order to avoid them ; but when alone in my chamber, my own thoughts became intolerable. My sins seemed to rise like weaves to swallow me up; one brought another to view, and I thought that there need not be a worse hell than to be overwhelmed with a sense of guilt. All this time, my heart was at enmity with God ! I knew not what to do, or where to go. Punish- ment appeared inevitable, and punishment was all I dreaded. Some time after this, my feelings changed, and I could view God, not only as a just, but also as a holy, merciful, and good being ; 8 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. but, as I supposed I had sinned away my day of grace, and it would be impossible ever to obtain salvation. At length I was brought to see that there might be mercy for me, and tried to obtain it. I had a great aversion to saying any thing on the subject of religion, and have been afraid to take up my Bible, in presence of the family, for fear they should think that I had become serious. No one but knew any thing of my exercises for a long time, and the first time • Mr. Cushman spoke to me, I trembled so that I could scarcely stand ! On the evening of the 31st of December, I refused to stay to a prayer meet- ing after sermon, for fear of being conversed with ; this distressed me exceedingly after I re- turned home, for I believed that I had denied the Saviour. The next morning, two years ago this day, I arose with a resolution to testify of the goodness of God to those around me, although I had no idea that I was a Christian. I exhorted my sisters and a young lady who had slept with them, and felt some pleasure in reflecting upon the character of God, but was not conscious of any hope of being interested in his love. Several weeks after, as I opened my Bible, (which I was not now ashamed of,) the 26th verse of the 36th MEMOIR OF MKS. E. G. JONES. 9 chapter of Ezekiel, met my eye, when I imme- diately left the room, and, bursting into tears, cried out, ''Lord, I believe, help thou mine un- belief." Then I could say, " my Lord and my God ;" and although I have, since then, had many doubts and fears, although I have sinned and gone far astray from him, yet I think that I can say I have never entirely lost the sense of his goodness, his infinite condescension, which I felt at that moment. O my dear I feel that " The vast debt of love I owe Can never be repaid." Some years intervened before she had confi- dence to make a public profession of her faith. A few extracts from her diary will exhibit the character of that faith. Sept. 13th, 1822. — This day have been com- mitted to the dust the mortal remains of my dear Aunt Eliza ! Mourn not, O my soul, for her — weep for thyself — for thy sin ; mourn thy own ingratitude — thy own stupidity. Now the world recedes for a moment, but how soon will its temptations return — how soon will it again be my idol, and detach my affections from my dear Redeemer ? Without the sanctifvinsf influences 10 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. of the Holy Spirit, this solemn providence will be misimproved. Heavenly Father, grant thy blessing upon it, that it may serve to wean me from the world — make me more watchful, more prayerful, more devoted to thy service, and bet- ter prepared for that heavenly state of existence where my dear Aunt is now raising her hallelu- jah to him who sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb forever. Sunday, Oct. 27th. — Oh ! it requires afflic- tion succeeding affliction to wean me from this vain, delusive, transitory world. Great God, thou art just, for the affection of thy creatures belongs to thee ; and when one judgment did not suffice to draw me back to thee from whom I have revolted, thou hast seen fit to send a second — to add a third. May this not be dis- regarded like the preceding ; may thine authori- ty no longer be trampled upon, and while I mourn the exit of departed friends, may I more bitterly weep for past transgressions. Dec. 22d. — My unfaithfulness, my worldly- mindedness, my neglect of duty during the last two years are presented to my mind, and fill my soul with anguish. Why have I given the ene- mies of the cross so much reason to say — " what MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 11 do ye more than others " I Why do I not live as Jesus Christ lived ? as his saints live, or even as I once lived myself? Death hastens on apace ; eternity v^ith all its realities will soon be unfolded to my view^, my day of grace will soon be over. "Arise, O sleeper, and call upon thy God." Dec. 31st. — Tremble, O my soul, at the review of the past year. Think of the sins, the faults, the follies that have so rapidly accumu- lated during one short year ! O Lord, cover me with the robe of Christ's righteousness, that my misimproved years may not rise up in judg- ment against me. Amen. Feb. 6th, 1823. — Where is that godly jealousy, that sj)irit of self-denial, that watchfulness, that engagedness in prayer, that love to God, which were once in exercise ? What appears in the heart which they have deserted ? O black ingratitude ! Worldly conformity, a spirit of levity, anger, pride, neglect of duty, and crimi- nal stupidity, are now apparent in my thoughts, words and actions ; and I am daily and hourly bringing reproach upon that religion which it should be my constant endeavor to recommend to all around me. Examine well, O my soul, 12 ME3I0IR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. the foundation of that hope to which thou art still so fondly clinging ; remember there is a hope which perisheth when God takes away the soul. May 6th. — O that I could say, from the heart, thy will, O God, not mine, be done : that I could bear with patience the trials of this life, and look beyond the grave to that heavenly inheritance which is prepared for all who love God. Why should I charge God foolishly ? I am weak and short sighted. I know not what is best. Sub- mit then, O my soul, cheerfully, to the dispen- sations of that providence which ordereth all thy lot in mercy. Remember that no good thing will thy heavenly Father withhold from those who put their trust in him. Though no eye but his is witness to thy complaints, he knows all thy wants and all thy sorrows, and will assur- edly cause all things to work together for thy good. "I trust in thee, and know on whom I trust; Or life, or death, is equal ; neither weighs : All weight in this — O let me live to thee." On the last Sunday in January, 1827, she confessed her Saviour before men, in the manner he has himself ordained. By her rejoicing iMEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 13 father, she was buried with the Lord in baptism, that she might '' fulfil all righteousness," and rise with him to newness of life. Her views and emotions when she publicly united with his professed disciples, are expressed as follows : Feb. 11th, 1827.—'*! have this day become a member of the visible church of Christ ; have openly professed myself his follower, and, in presence of God, angels and men, bound my- self, by the most solemn vows to live hence- forth to his glory. By thus solemnly entering into covenant with the people of God, I have unequivocally declared that I have come out from the world ; that I view the customs and fashions of it as things that are passing away, and which are no longer worthy to engage my attention ; that my treasure is in heaven, and that I seek a better country. I have declared my belief that the only object worth my pursuit, is the advancement of the cause of Christ in the world, and that I am determined to devote all my energies, my time, and my talents to the cause which I have espoused; for Christ has said, "Ye cannot serve God and mammon." I have declared also, by this act, that the children 2 14 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. of God are my chosen, my favorite companions ; that, as brethren, their welfare lies near my heart ; that their joys are my joys, their sorrows my sorrows. I have declared that I love Jesus Christ better than any earthly good, and am wil- ling to take np my cross and follow him through evil as well as through good report. I have promised to renounce all my idols and to serve God with singleness of heart ; to resign all my schemes of w^orldly prosperity, and follow the example of him who came not to do his own will. In connecting myself with the saints of God, I have engaged to love them, to bear with them, to do them all the good in my power, to assist them by my example and sympathy, in all the various circumstances in which we may respectively be placed. I have given myself away to Christ and his church, for time and eternity. After making such vows, should I go back into the world, and forget, as I have often done, my obligation to the glory of God ; should I forsake the fountain of living waters, and hew out to myself broken cisterns which can hold none ; should I become pleased with the trifles of earth, and pursue, like the worldling, the vain things of time and sense, what a reproach shall MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 15 I bring on the cause of Christ ; what sorrow to his devoted followers, and what heavy judgments on myself! But how shall such a sinful, fickle, treacherous heart as mine be kept from wander- ing? How shall I ever be able to keep the solemn covenant into which I have now entered ? It is only through him whose strength is made perfect in our weakness, that I can hope to keep the least of these responsible engagements ; and I do hope that, with his assistance, I shall be able to live more to his glory than I have ever done. I cannot bear to think that the feelings that have animated my heart this day, especially while sitting down for the first time at the table of the Lord, will, in a few days, evaporate. 16 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. Communion with Jesus indeed was not often enjoyed by his first disciples on the mount. So it was with the beloved subject of this memoir. It was in the vale of humility that she walked with God. Sept. 4th, 1827. — She thus wrote. "How precious are those visits of his love which Jesus sometimes makes to his unworthy children, when he gives ihem a sense of their utter un- worlhiness and vileness, and, at the same time, sets before them, in the light of strong, unwaver- ing faith, his own transcendent power and wil- lingness to save the soul ; his blessed promises to sanctify and purify it, and the assurance he has given that wherever a work of grace has been begun in the heart, it shall be carried on till the day of full redemption from all the sin and misery of a fallen world. At such seasons, particularly when the Christian realizes that these glorious views are vouchsafed to him in special answer to prayer, how overwhelming is his sense of that infinite condescension and love which stoops to regard, in such a signal manner, one who has so ungratefully and basely wandered from him ; so often disregarded the gracious offer of his presence and blessing ; so often dis- MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 17 obeyed his commands and wounded him in the house of his friends. And while he is led to exclaim with Job, " I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth thee ; wherefore I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes," he cannot but add, in the lan- guage of the Apostle, " I know in whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." September 16th. — '• Now is my soul troubled ; and what shall I say ? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour." I have just heard a sermon from these aiffecting words ; but no illustrations of the preacher; no eloquent description of that scene of agony, could raise my mind above the eleva- tion of feeling which the simple reading of the words produced. Gabriel himself could make no adequate comment on a text like that. wonder that the voice of a mortal should fall faintly on the ear. The practical remarks of the preacher interested me much more than his illustrations of the text. His appeal to sinners was solemn and powerful ; that to Christians, forcible and affecting. The following impres- sive sentence will long be engraven on my memory. " In view of this scene, go, ran- somed believer, and sin no more forever." December 1st. — Why do my thoughts recur so frequently to death-bed scenes ? Why do I look with such pleasure on the lifeless corpse, and follow with my eyes the passing hearse ; my thoughts almost unconsciously darting for- ward, with a sort of involuntary delight, to the day when it shall carry me to the house ap- pointed for all living ? Is it because I am already fitted for the holy mansions above ? Is it be- cause I cannot sustain the ills of this life, that I long to *' fly away and be at rest ?" Because I cannot bear the conflict with my evil heart ; my carnal propensities ; my inordinate affec- tions ; my unhallowed desires ; my selfish dis- position ? God has promised his assistance in this warfare, and however discouraging or distres- sing it may be, his grace will be sufficient for MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 19 me during its continuance, and will sooner or later enable me to overcome. Do I long- for heaven because I have no work to do on earth ? Tongue cannot utter, thought cannot conceive, the vast extent of labor which lies before the Christian. Were I a minister of the gospel, commissioned to proclaim salvation to a perish- ing world, should I wish to leave my work and go home to glory ? No, the'longest life would then be too short to accomplish all I should wish to do for God and my fellow sinners. But there is within my own sphere of action much more to be done than I can hope ever to accomplish; and shall I let one talent remain un- occupied because I do not possess Jive? Shall I wish to be dismissed from my Captain's service and go home, because I am placed in the rear of his army? Let me work while the day lasts, remembering that " the night cometh in which no man can work." June 5th, 1828. — This day I have set apart for private fasting, humiliation and prayer. A slight inspection of the state of my heart shows me how much I need such an exercise. O how little have I been aware of the depravity of my nature ! How little have I realized my inward 20 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. pollution ? Where is the accomplishment of all my good resolutions ? I have resolved to live to the glory of God ; but selfishness is still ruling (I had almost said supremely) in my heart. I have resolved to exercise great faith and confidence in my heavenly Father ; but un- belief and distrust still cleave to me. I have re- solved to submit quietly and cheerfully to all the dispensations of his providence ; but forget that He is infinite in wisdom and goodness as v^ell as power, and murmur at his will. I have resolved to deny «elf; to fight against all my evil pas- sions ; to bear with meekness and patience ali the vexations and trials that I meet with ; but continue to indulge irritability of temper, anger, arrogance and impatience. I have resolved to cultivate a spirit of universal love and benevo- lence toward all my fellow creatures ; but have often neglected their interest, wounded their feelings, disregarded their happiness, miscon- strued their conduct, and unnecessarily ex- posed their faults. But the most humiliating thought of all is, that notwithstanding my pro- fessions of self-abasement, and my resolutions to live humble at the foot of the cross, I find my- self inflated with pride, filled with self-conceit, MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 21 thinking myself to be something when I am nothing, and expecting others to pay me the same homage which I pay to myself. Surely when Satan mixed for our race the bitter cup of sin, which he presented to us through our first parents, he made his own master passion a prin- cipal ingredient. It infuses its poison into every thing I do. How wondrously will the efficacy of the blood of Christ be displayed, in the puri- fication of such a heart ; and how gloriously will the grace of God shine in its sanctification !" The following was written a few weeks after her first expectation of going to Burmah. March 24th, 1830. — I have set apart this day for fasting and special prayer for more spiritual- minded ness, a spirit of deeper devotion and di- vine direction respecting my future path in life. Last evening I took up some lines written on the death of Mrs. Judson ; and as I read the affecting description of her death, the trials inci- dent to the life of a missionary, were so vividly brought before my mind, that my heart almost sunk within me. I thought of Henry Martyn, travelling through the burning desert alone and friendless, lying on the hard ground in a scorch- ing fever and chilling ague ; of both sinking, 22 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. under trials too great for human endurance, into the arms of the last enemy, without a friend to wipe from their brows the cold sweat of death, or administer one word of comfort as tliey passed through the dark valley. I thought of Harriet XewelL and all the sulierings she endured on her disastrous voyage from Calcutta to the Isle of France : of Parsons, of Fisk, and of many odier servants of God who devoted themselves lo Him ^^ in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;" and I fell assured that such must be my lot if I should go among the heathen. Tins day commenced with a different train of thought. Distressed with my want of conformity to God, I cast myself before him. earnesdv sup- plicating his pardon for my past sins, and the assistance of his Holy Spirit to change ray pol- luted heart. I never had that ardent piet}^ that singleness of heart, that deadness to the world, which not only every missionary, but every christian ought to possess. Again my thoughts have recurred to th? path which I must tread should I devote my .elf to the mission. Can I leave my native land, and MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 23 all the privileges which I enjoy, to go to a coun- try of moral darkness and superstition ? Can I forego the society of my christian friends ; the assemblies of the saints, to associate with stran- gers and heathens ? Can I forsake my pleasant home where I have spent so many years in ease, plenty and happiness, to become a wanderer on the face of the earth, to endure trials, privations and hardships, of which I can now form no con- ception ? There have been times when I have felt such an ardent, inexpressible desire to do something for God; to manifest in some way my attachment to Jesus ; to devote every mo- ment of my short life to his service, that I have thought no sacrifice too great to make, no trials too severe to be endured, so that I might do some good in his cause, or be the means of the con- version of one soul. And shall I now draw back ? Shall I withhold any thing from Jesus ? From Him who has died to redeem me from sin and misery ; who, I trust, has renewed me by his grace, and is now preparing for me a man- sion in the realms of eternal glory? No: "I can do all things through Christ who strength- eneth me." May 16.— When shall I lie prostrate at the 24 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. foot of the cross ? Never, never, dear Lord, till thine own Spirit's influences bring me there. O that I could lose all thought of self in the con- templation of eternal things. Well ; I do hope that a time will come, even in this life, when my time will be so fully occupied, and my atten- tion so entirely engrossed with my Master's work, that I shall find little leisure to think of any thing else. May 24. — Heard a most excellent and ani- mating discourse from Psalm 104. My emo- tions, while listening to it, were varied. The leading reflections of my mind were on the amazing stupidity and depravity of mankind, worshipping images their own hands have formed from stocks and stones ! Wonderful and appal- ling proof of the power of sin over the human intellect ! Felt some ardent desires to make known to poor benighted Burmans their glorious beneficent Creator, and to endeavor to persuade them to exchange their anticipations of supreme good in annihilation, for the glorious hope of immortality. If it is strange that the heathen should bow down to idols, and more surprizing that those who live within the sound of the gospel should MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 25 reject it ; how much more astonishing is it that those who have experienced the blessedness of pardoning love, and tasted the sweetness of communion with God, should set their affections on the world, neglect their privileges, and with- hold from their Redeemer, their time, their talents and their influence. Blessed God ! fill my mind with such a sense of thy glorious perfections, of thy transcendent love, that I shall continually pant after con- formity to thee, and lose all relish for every en- joyment but those which flow from thy presence." On the 14th of July 1830, Miss Grew was married to John Taylor Jones, who had been appointed by the Baptist Board of Foreign Mis- sions, missionary to Burmah. With Messrs. Ramsey, Read, Hervey, and their wives, mis- sionaries appointed by the A. B. C. F. M., they embarked in the Corvo, Capt. Spaulding, on the 2d of August, being commended to the grace of God by the prayers of the saints. The parting hour was also cheered with the song of praise to Him who has commanded his disciples to go into all the world and preach his gospel to every creature, promising to be with them even " unto the end of the world." 3 26 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. To a heart, glowing so vividly with the fire of friendship, this was indeed the hour of trial ! But, blessed be the Father of mercies, his grace triumphed. Writing Nov. 11th, in the Indian Ocean, she remarked, "When nature had forced from me a short indulgence of her feelings, I be- gan to supplicate the God of missions for a per- formance of His promise, " My strength shall be made perfect in thy weakness." Since that time I have suffered less from the loss of my friends' society than I anticipated. Many other favors have made large demands on my gratitude. We have had a kind, attentive captain ; agreea- ble company, good accommodations, &c. Our religious privileges have been far greater than most missionaries are allowed on ship board, and my own spiritual blessings have not been small." Extract from a letter, dated, Nov. 26th, Indian Ocean. "What would I not give to see you by my s'vde at this moment, and, instead of transmitting to a silent sheet of paper, mere fragments of the thou- sand thoughts which I wish to communicate to you, pour them unmutilated into your ear, fresh MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 27 and warm from the heart, and hear the responses of friendship. But separated as we are, and deprived of the pleasures of personal intercourse, I eagerly employ even an inadequate vehicle ; and most sincerely thankful would I be to Him who "guides the affairs of men," that any means have been devised for the transmission of thought from one side of the globe to the opposite." Referring to the parting scene, she remarked, " The last ties which bound me to the friends of my youth, to liome and native land, were now sundered, and since that time I have felt that I am literally a pilgrim and stranger on the earth, w^ith little prospect of having any permanent home in this life. But what is our life ? Inspi- ration answers, *' It is even as a vapor which appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." My home, I trust, is in heaven^ and there I hope to meet many of those to whom my heart still clings with fondest affection. Amid the glorious scenes which will then sur- round us, and the pure delights which friendship there shall taste, all the sacrifices, toils and trials which now cause us so much suffering, will dwindle into their own real insignificance, and 28 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. if they have been instrumental in the smallest degree of guiding one soul to those blissful regions, will prove sources of exquisite and undy- ing happiness to our own immortal minds. Many agreeable associations entwine them- selves with the recollection of my dear. Among them is the female prayer meeting in which we have been associated. It has been a source of no small consolation and encourage- ment to Mr. J. and myself, when at times almost overborne by a sense of our unfitness for the arduous work we have undertaken, to be able to say to ourselves and to each other, '' many chris- tians are praying for us." At such times, ima- gination, swifter than the rays of light, trans- ports me to dear America, and carries me from one little circle to another where supplications are ascending to heaven in my behalf, until hope and confidence kindle in my heart. River Hoogly, Dec. 21st. — I have not time to describe to you my emotions at sight of land once more, or on beholding the degraded inhab- itants of idolatrous India. Indeed it will be more easy for you to imagine than for me to describe them. • MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 29 EXTRACTS FROM JOURNAL. Dec. 22. — After breakfast Capt. S.., Mr. Ramsey and JMr. Read, went ashore at Diamond harbor for an hour or two, and brought us some cocoa nuts. At our evening devotions a very intelligent sircar was present. He understands English, and brother Ramsey held quite an inter- esting conversation with him on the manners and customs of his country. He says that, in forty or fifty years, the Bengalees will all be christians, acknowledges that their own religion is foolish and its requirements oppressive ; but says, if he should not conform to it, that all his relatives would despise and forsake him. Respecting a future state, he says, ^' We not know where the life go, when the body dies.'' Of their mourning customs he gave us a par- ticular account. " When a father dies, we cry all the day long, and mourn for him one month. We not chew betel-nut; not eat ghee (butter) or curry with our rice ; taste no sweetmeats, not shave, not wear any fine cotton, never wash or oil the body, never change clothes for one month. Women cry every day all the month. Men not cry all the time. We sigh and mourn 3^ 30 MEMOIR OF MRS. E» G. JONES. in our hearts." When asked, ''how long do you mourn for a son ?" he replied, " we mourn great many ; we sorry all our life." ''And when women die what do you do ?" " O, women ; we not care much for tliera.^^ Evening. Passed several native villages. Their thatched huts are built very close to- gether, and resemble a collection of clumsy hay-stacks. At one of these villages it hap- pened to be market-day. We had a full view of thousands of natives assembled under the trees on the bank of the river. A little far- ther on, we saw a woman standing in the water, assisting her husband in drawing a fishing net; the first Bengalee female we have seen. The lower castes are not particular, like their supe« riors, to keep their wives out of sight. Dec. 24. — Well, we have actually set foot on the Asiatic shore. While we lay at anchor this morning Capt. S. took all the ladies in his boat to Budge-budge, a native town on the bank of the river. Dec. 25. — This morning the " City of Pala- ces" opened on our view. The scenery on that part of the river called Garden Reach is very fine, for this perfectly level country. Both MEMOIR OF MRS< E. G. JONES. 31 banks are lined with the country-houses of English residents, which look very pretty among the shrubbery. They are built of brick or tile, covered with chunam, a kind of white plaster ; their windows, which reach down to the floor, have green venitian blinds, and the verandahs are supported by large handsome pillars, of the same material as the house. Cows, sheep and goats feeding around them, contribute much to the beauty of the landscape. Mr. J. and myself, having received a kind invitation from brother William Yates, pastor of the Circular Road (Baptist) church, to make his house our home, proceeded thither, and arrived in time for dinner at four o'clock. Dec. 26. — Attended service this morning at Circular Road chapel. O how delightful was it to worship God once more in the congregation of his saints. Jan. 2d, 1831. — Mr. Jones preached at Cir- cular Road chapel in the morning, after which Mr. Yates baptized three young Englishmen and two native women. January 7. I went into Mrs. Yates' school to- day. It is taught by a native Christian woman, in a bungalow near the house, and contains sixty 32 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. scholars. Mrs, Y. visits it almost daily, and always knows whether the teacher and scholars are punctual or not. The litde ones sit on mats round narrow desks for their books, which form hollow squares, in the centre of which the teacher sits on a mat. Sunday, January 9. At five o'clock went with Mr. J. to the bungalow, (a small thatched build- ing,) where Mr. Pearce meets the native Chris- tians. He preaches to them in the morning; examines them in the afternoon, to ascertain whether they understood his sermon ; and then, after a short intermission, preaches again. Ser- vices all in the Bengalee language. To-day was their communion season, and it was quite affecting to sit down at the table of our Lord with such an assembly. 0, if the time shall ever arrive, when I shall enjoy the felicity of sitting down to the sacramental supper with one soul who has, by my instrumentality, been rescued from the slavery of heathenism, and brought into the glorious liberty of the children of God, I am sure that I shall feel that all the sacrifices I have made, and all the toils and trials I may hereafter be called to suffer, are repaid, infinitely more than repaid. January 10. Was much struck with the sight MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 33 of such throngs of fellow-beings passing onward to eternity without any knowledge of a Saviour, or hope of immortality. In Calcutta alone, work might be found for hundreds of faithful mission- aries. O ! when will Christ's followers be fully alive to the wants and the miseries of the heathen world ! When wdll each one obey, to the extent of his ability, the last command of his divine Master, " Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature ?" January 25th. Last evening Mr. J. and myself went up the river to Serampore, with Messrs. John and Joshua Marshman. We found their venerable father sitting up for us. He welcomed us with much cordiality, saying, "we think all missionaries who come to this country belong to us." Mr. and Mrs. M. are still engaged in schools. They have about forty scholars each. This morning Brother M. took us over the college building. There are twenty native students be- longing to the college, and twelve sons of mis- sionaries. Brother Carey still has the superin- tendence of it. We next went to pay a visit to the good old patriarch, whose dwelling is very near the college and mission house. He gave us a hearty welcome, and showed us his extensive 34 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. library, and collection of natural curiosities. After dining at brother Marshman's, we took an affec- tionate farewell of our kind friends, scarcely conscious that our acquaintance was that of a day. On my part, it really was not so, for the names of Carey and Marshman had been known, loved, and associated with all my ideas of India and missionary operations since the days of early childhood. January 29th. Brother W. H. Pearce kindly offered us his carriage to go to Chitpore to-day. We set off at six o'clock A. M., and arrived in time to breakfast with Mr. and Mrs. G. Pearce, who reside at this station. After breakfast, we visited the day schools. The girls' school, super- intended by Mrs. P., consists of one hundred and sixty scholars. Their first attempt at writing was made on long smooth leaves. They read Bengalee only. The boys are taught English. There is also a school at this station for those who speak the Hindostanee language, and a chapel in which Brother P. preaches every Sun- day, in Bengalee. 31st. There are many things to dishearten and oppress the missionary when he first finds him- self in a heathen land, surrounded by idolaters ; Mf^MOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. 35 yet much also to show him the necessity for the sacrifice he has made, and to stimulate him to exertion. Beloved friends at home are dearer to me now than ever, but may I not say that precious souls are dearer too ? I think so. Extract from a letter to a friend. My views of the enterprise which I have un- dertaken, now I am drawing near to the land where its arduous duties are soon to be entered upon, will perhaps interest you as much as any train of thought which I can pursue. You will wish to know how things appear to my mind since the bustle is over, the novelty passed by, the sacrifice made, the die cast for my future destiny. All is reality now. The fleecy, golden tipped clouds of enthusiasm and roman- tic zeal, through which the missionary enter- prize is often contemplated by those who sit around home's cheerful fireside, have vanished, and left the mighty work naked to the gaze of the trembling volunteer ; and had I not the strongest conviction that the providence of God has called me to this work, consequently, that I shall be assisted by Almighty energy in my attempts to perform it, I should shrink, disheart- ened, from all that lies before me. O ! did chris- 36 MEMOIR OF MRS. E. G. JONES. tians at home know how much missionaries need their prayers ; did they realize what varied qualifications they require, what a large measure of the heavenly graces is indispensible to their usefulness, how many temptations lie in their path, how difficult it is to order their conversa- tion and deportment in such a manner as to honor the cause which they have espoused, among the different classes of people with whom they are called to associate from time to time, and how liable they are, almost every moment, to bring reproach on that cause, they would feel that w^e have strong claims on their frequent and fervent intercession at the throne of grace. Our friends are only the dearer to us for the oceans that roll between us and them ; and the comforts of home seem sweeter than ever, since we have been deprived of them. Is there then no danger of our looking back with such ardent desires to the beloved spot as to palsy our ener- gies and even tempt us to abandon our work and retrace our steps ? How much wisdom do we need to enable us to form judicious plans ; what patience to bear with the prejudices and ignorance of minds long accustomed to idolatry and moral pollution ; what perseverance and MEMOIR OF MRS. E. 6. JONES. 37 fortitude to perform all the labors and endure the trials of such a life ; what meekness and for- bearance to maintain a unity of feeling and action with those, who, though brethren having the same great cause at heart as ourselves, have nevertheless been educated with different modes of thinking, habits and customs, and on many minor matters of opinion cherish different sen- timents. 