A memoir of Mrs. Henrietta Shuck, the first American female missionary to China

Preface

THE compiler deems it proper to state briefly the motives which induced him to prepare the following Memoir. Shortly after the death of the late lamented Mrs. Shuck, the members of the China mission held a meeting, and, with other resolutions suitable to the occasion, unanimously adopted the following: —

" Resolved — That the character and the circumstances attending the life of our departed sister are interesting and instructive, not only to us, but, if made public, are calculated to aid the cause of missions generally, and especially that in which she labored and died, and, therefore, that the Board be requested to appoint her former Pastor, the Rev. J. B. Jeter, or some other competent person, to prepare a Memoir of her life.

J. LEWIS SHUCK, Sec."

In due time, the compiler received a letter from the Corresponding Secretary of the Board, in Boston, informing him that they heartily concurred in the resolution, and desiring him to " prepare a suitable memorial of MM. Shuck's worth and works." The appointment accorded with the views and wishes of her family and friends. The compiler felt himself solemnly called, in 1*

6 PREFACE.

the providence of God, to decide whether he would undertake the task assigned him. After serious deliberation, and, as he trusts, earnest prayer for divine guidance, he resolved to engage in the preparation of the Memoir. Various considerations conducted him to this decision.

Mrs. Shuck was the first female Amencan missionary who went to China. She was a lady of good mind, pleasant manners, and most fervent piety, and self-sacrificing devotion to the cause of missions. Her correspondence, on examination, was found to be copious and intrinsically excellent If the compiler has not been deceived by his associations with the esteemed subject of the Memoir, many of her letters, and much of her journals, are distinguished by a beautiful simplicity and a most touching pathos, and all of them by a kind, generous, and pious spirit Her life, though it did not abound in striking incidents and brilliant achievements, was filled up with diligent, self-denying, and earnest efforts for the salvation of the heathen.

China is a singular, and, to the enlightened Christian, who prays and labors for the salvation of the world, a most interesting country. The recent opening of its most important ports, by solemn treaty, to Christian missionaries, and the unexpected toleration of Christianity in the empire, have turned all Christian eyes and hearts towards it It is the largest and most important mission field on the globe. Much information concerning China, its history, government, language, religions, the manners, customs, and moral condition of the people, &c., will be found incorporated in the Memoir. To those who have not access to

PREFACE. 7,

other sources of knowledge, it will convey much information concerning the "Celestial Empire," and that, too, not always in dry detail, but frequently in pleasing narrative.

Of the execution of the work the author need say nothing ; of that the public will judge, and neither explanation nor apology can modify the decision. He may, however, be permitted to say, that his only reward for the labor of preparing the Memoir is the hope that it may promote the interests of true religion and the cause of missions. The profits accruing from the sale of the copy-right will be appropriated, one half to the education of Mrs. Shuck's children, and the other half to the cause of Foreign Missions, to be divided equally between the Northern and Southern Baptist Boards. To the compiler, this seemed the fairest distribution of the profits. To the private correspondence of Mrs. Shuck, cheerfully placed by the family in the hands of the writer, without the slightest expectation of pecuniary advantage to her children, the work will be mainly indebted for its interest. Nothing could be more suitable than that the children should reap the profits of their dear mother's intellectual efforts. But Mrs. Shuck was a missionary as well as a mother. While living, her anxieties, prayers, and labors, were divided between her loved offspring and the perishing heathen. Let the pecuniary profits of her Memoir be, in like manner, divided. As Mrs. Shuck labored under the patronage of the Boston Board, and as the Memo/r has been compiled at their request, they have a fair claim to a portion of its profits ; and as Mrs. Shuck was a southern lady, and her husband has connected

8 PREFACE.

himself with this Board, it seems proper that they also should participate in the benefit The compiler is aware that this explanation is not due to the public ; that he has a perfect right to do what he will with his own ; but, to prevent misconception, he has judged it better to make it, and hopes he shall be pardoned for giving the subject a prominence to which its importance does not entitle it.

He now commits the work to the consideration of the public, and to the blessing of God. Should it be tne means of quickening the piety and increasing the liberality of Christians, and awakening a deeper, and stronger, and more effective interest in the cause of Foreign Missions, and especially for the evangelization of China, he will be richly compensated.

J. B. JETER.

Richmond, Sept., 1846.

Chapter I

Henrietta Hall's Birthplace — Parentage — Religious Training— Education— Mrs. Little's Letter — Her Religious Awakening — The Lancaster Camp-meeting — Henrietta's Conversion — Baptism — Her Mother's Death — Her Father's Removal to Richmond — She was placed in Mrs. Reeling's Seminary — Her first Missionary ImprensioM — Her Engagement to Mr. Shuck — Vindication of Christian Missions, and her Motives — Her Letter to Sunday School Scholars — Her Marriage — Missionaries set apart — Mrs. Shuck's Trip to Boston — Her farewell Letter to her Father — Mr. Hall's Letter and parting Advice to his Daughter. ...PACK 13

Chapter II

The Embarkation — Parting Scene described by Dr. Malcom — Extracts from Mr*. Shuck's Journal and Letters during her Voyage — Ship touches at Kedgeree — at Amherst — Visit to Maulmain — Interview with the Missionaries — Ship touches at Penang — Beautiful Scenery — Voyage to Singapore — Fear of Pirates — Conversion of Bailors 40

Chapter III

Singapore — The Arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Shuck at this Place — Extracts from Mrs. Shuck's Correspondence and Journal during her Residence there 83

Chapter IV

China — Origin of the Name — Its History — The Provinces of China — It* Language — Its Religion — Confucianism — Budhism — Taouism — Their Incfficacy 73

10 CONTENTS.

Chapter V

— Description of it — Extract! from Mrs. Shuck's Letter*, in Chronological Order — Difficulty of her Landing— Mr. Shuck's Visit to Canton — Chinese Burial — Orphan Boy — School — Hopes of Ah Loo's Conversion — Letters from America — Letter from Mrs. Shuck to Susan — Affectionate Exhortation — Chinese New Year

— Baptism of Ah Loo — Lord's Supper — Chinese Girt, Jane Maria

— Mrs. ShucK studying; Chinese with Mr. Roberts — Translation of Baptism — Visit to a Heathen Temple — Sickness — Birth of a second Child — Friends in Macao. 93

Chapter VI

to — Remarks — Correspondence of Mrs. Shuck continued — Blind Girl — Filial Devotion of Mrs. 8.— Ah Loo's Visit to his Friends — Goes tii Bnnkok with Mr. Dean — Death of Lucius — Consolatory Letter to Mrs. Hall — Death of Mrs. Jones — Revivals in America— Susan's Conversion — Mrs. Shuck's Advice to her — Fall of Ah Loo— Exhortation to Isabella — Climate of Macao — Severe Illness of Mrs. Shuck — Hi-r Feelings — Thoughts of sending her Children Home — Robbers cause the Death of a Chinaman — Rich Orphan — Class under Instruction — Remarks by the Compiler on the Education of the Children of Missionaries. Ill

Chapter VII

1839 — Erroneous Views of Missionary Life corrected — Mrs. Shuck's Correspondence continued — Incident in the Life of her oldest Child — A Caution for him — Mrs. Shuck's School — Cost of supporting it— Reference to the Death of Lucius — Openings for Usefuliietw in Macao — Visiting a Village — Mr. Shurk commences preaching in Chinese — Visit of Mr. S. and Family to Hong Kong — Probability of Mr. Shuck's Return to America — Anticipations since realized — Her Illness — Death of a Young l.nily converted through her Instrumentality 135

Chapter VIII

1840 — Mrs. Shuck's Health bad — Her Correspondence continued- Dr. Diver's Letter concerning her Sickness — War anticipated •

CONTENTS. 11

Letter from Mrs. 8. to her Sister Pti «r\n — Resignation — Dr. Divert •croud Letter — Mrs. Shuck's Improving Health — HIT Piety — Cost of Living — She loves the Concert of Prayer for Missions — Letter to Isah. lla — Fervent Exhortation — Resolutions— Arrival of the British Fleet — Isabella's Conversion — Susan's Marriage — Her Grandpapa's Death — Good Advice to Isabella — Pleasing Anticipation*. 148

Chapter IX

1841 — Remarks on Mrs. Shuck's Sickness and Recovery — Her School

— War between England and China — Prospect of preaching the Gospel without Molestation— Chinese Teacher a ho|wful Inquirer— Letter to Robert, simple and affectionate — Mrs. Sinn It's Solicitude nnd Efforts for the Salvation of her Sistrrs and Brothers — Remarks en the Marriage of her Sisters — A Box of Presents — Birth of her Daughter, Henrietta Layton — Reasons for the Name

— Friends in Macao — Contrast between China and Lancaster. 166

Chapter X

1842-3 — Removal to Hong Kong — Reasons for removing — Mr. 8. raises Money in erect Chapels — Becomes assistant Editor of a Paper — Prospects of Usefulness — Mr. Dean's Arrival — Mr*. Shuck pleased in Hong Kong — China opening for the Gospel — Heat of the Climate — Letter to Isabella — Various Reflections — Letter from Dr. Diver to Mr. Hall — Baptisms — Brightening Proxpecta — Increase of MM. Shuck's domestic Cares — Denth of Mrs. Dean — Labors of Ihe Missionaries— Mrs. S.'s Health poor — Proof of het Devotion to Mission! — Affectionate Disposition — Sickness of Netty — Mr. Shuck's Postscript — Destitution of the English Soldier*' Wivea. 178

Chapter XI

1844 — Clonintr Year of Mr*. Shuck's Life — Her Correspondence rnntinued— Manner of spending her Time — Progress in the Chines* Language — Her Youthful Appearance — The Frigate Brnndy wine — Mr. W. ill hall's Illness — Beautiful Extract — Temptations of Missionaries — Allusion to Mr*. Dean's Death — Solemn Anticipations— Remarks concerning Ihem — Contributions to Mr*, ^huck'i School — Increase of it — Obstacles to Female Education — Indisposition to Writing — Opening School room — Lout Letter to her

12 CONTENTS.

Father — Arrival of Dr. and Mrs. Derail — Her Father's Picture — Last Letter to her Family — Religious Enjoyment — Note to Mr*. Keeling — Her last Letter — Remarks. 200

Chapter XII

Brief Sketch of the Rise, Progress, and Condition of the Chinese Baptist Mission — Baptisms — Encouraging Prospects — Mrs. Shuck's Presentiment of her Death — Her Preparation for it — Mr. Shuck's Letter announcing her Death — Extracu from Obituary Notices — Dr. Devan's Letter to Mr. Hall — Mr. Walthall's Letter — Conclusion of her Funeral Sermon in Richmond — Mr. Heeling's Tribute to Mrs. Shuck's Character — Poetry written on seeing Mr. Shuck's Sons in New York 221

Conclusion

Mrs. Shuck's Personal Appearance — Her Natural Disposition — Her Mental Qualities — Quickness of Perception — Notes of a Sermon — Literary Attainments — Her Religious Character, symmetrical. 947

Chapter I

Henrietta Hall's Birthplace — Parentage — Religious Training — Education — Mrs. Little's Letter — Her Religious Awakening — The Lancaster Camp-meeting — Henrietta's Conversion — Baptism — Her Mother's Death — Her Father's Removal to Richmond — She was placed in Mr. Reeling's Seminary — Her first Missionary Impressions — Her Engagement to Mr. Shuck — Vindication of Christian Missions, and her Motives — Her Letter to Sunday School Scholars — Her Marriage — Missionaries set apart — Mrs. Shuck's Trip to Boston — Her farewell Letter to her Father — Mr. Hall's Letter and parting Advice to bis Daughter.

THE peninsula, lying between the Rappahannock and Potomac Rivers, in the north eastern part of the state of Virginia, is generally known as the " Northern Neck." It is distinguished as the birthplace of three Presidents of the United States — Washington, Madison, and Monroe. In the eastern extremity of the " Neck," in the county of Lancaster, within a few miles of the Chesapeake Bay, is situated the little village of Kilmarnock. Here was born, Oct. the 28th, 1817, Henrietta Hall, (afterwards Mrs. Shuck.) Her parentage on both sides was highly respectable. Her father, the Rev. Addison Hall, was, in his early years, a successful lawyer. For several sessions he represented his county in the state legislature to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. Mr. Hall's mother was a lady of decided genius. She wrote two poems of no small 2 merit ; one on the death of the Rev. Lewis Lunsford, and the other on that of her brother-in-l;i\r, the Rev. Samuel L. Straughin, both eminent Baptist ministers, her endeared pastors, who were called to their reward in the maturity of their years, and in the zenith of their usefulness. With early culture, and favorable circumstances, she would have been a brilliant ornament of her sex. The maiden name of Henrietta's mother was Susan Edmonds. She was a daughter of Col. Elias Edmonds of Lancaster county — a gentleman held in deserved estimation by his fellowcitizens.

Mr. and Mrs. Hall were both baptized, while young, by the Rev. S. L. Straughan, and admitted into the fellowship of the Morattico B-iptist church. They, like Zacharias and Elizabeth, " were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless." Henrietta was nurtured in the lap of piety. Her parents were deeply impressed with the importance of training up their children for usefulness and for heaven. Her mind and heart were cultivated with tender solicitude and untiring assiduity. To her infant ears the voice of prayer and praise was familiar. She grew up with the deep and abiding impressions which the family altar, and the family Bible, and sanctuary observances were adapted to make on her sensitive mind.

Our acquaintance with Henrietta Hall commenced in the close of the year 1825. She was then a little more than eight years old ; and a bright and lovely child she was. The interview Beems to have made a durable impression on her

MRS. LITTLE'S LETTER. 15

memory. In her last letter to us — the last which she wrote — she referred to it with a vivid recollection and a lively interest.

Fortunately for Henrietta, her devoted father entertained enlarged and liberal views on the subject of female instruction. He was desirous to give his daughters a solid and useful education. In her fourteenth year, Henrietta was sent to Fredericksburg, and placed in the school of Mrs. Little, a lady of high reputation as a teacher. How well she deserved this reputation the following letter, addressed by her to the Rev. A. Hall, since the death of his daughter, clearly indicates.

" Dear Sir,

I am truly happy to hear that a memoir of your lamented daughter is in a state of preparation. Her active virtues, and devoted missionary labors, will render such a memoir a valuable gift to the public, as well as a cherished memorial to her friends.

Most gladly would I furnish any documents in my power, which might aid in preparing the biography of one whose memory is so dear to me. I wish I could recall more vividly the circumstances to which you refer, which occurred while your daughter was a member of my school and family.

As a pupil she was very diligent in her studies, and blameless in her course of conduct. Her mind was sprightly, and her disposition ardent, enthusiastic, and sincere. She possessed strong social affections, and was universally beloved by her classmates. Although she had not then

' chosen the good part,' she was not unmindful of the necessity of so doing, and it occurred to me that the best opportunity of directing her serious attention to matters of so great moment would be by close personal conversation, on the subject of her highest interests.

With a view to her benefit, as well as that of other of my pupils, I had been accustomed daily to write something new and striking on the blackboard, generally a text of Scripture, in the form of a question. On one occasion the question was, " Where shall I be a hundred years hence? " The pupils were requested to give an answer to me privately, after due consideration and solemn reflection.

The effect produced on the mind of Henrietta was deep and pungent — her words I cannot at this distant period recall, but the intensity of her emotion convinced me that the Lord himself had directed the arrow to its mark. She seemed never afterwards to forget that she was a probationer for an endless state of existence beyond the grave, though she did not then have clear and just ideas of the depravity of her own heart ; there was, therefore, no change in her outward character or conduct.

Literary pursuits chiefly occupied her time. She was ambitious to excel in all her studies from her regard for you, whom as a father she highly honored. She seemed determined to exert herself to deserve your approbation and affection.

During her vacation, as you know, she was made a partaker of the heavenly gift, and it was gratifying to me to learn that her first serious impressions were received in my school. I never

CAMP-MEETING. 17

before so deeply felt the importance of combining religious with literary instructions, and doing all to the glory of God.

Your daughter has now completed her pilgrimage, and gone to her long home. But she still lives in the hearts of surviving friends, who can rejoicingly follow her with the eye of faith, and behold her walking with God, ' high in salvation and the climes of bliss.'

To you, my dear sir, what an honor, what a consolation, to have had a child so spiritually engaged, so useful, and now so highly exalted!

Permit me to mingle my sympathies with yours, and subscribe myself

Very truly your friend,

A. J. LITTLE."

The summer of 1831 is memorable for the religious revivals which prevailed among the churches, of all evangelical Christian denominations, in Virginia. Wherever the gospel was faithfully preached, a blessing descended from Heaven. Thousands, of all classes of society, were joyfully converted to Christ, and added to the churches. The Baptists of the Northern Neck resolved, after prayer and consultation, to hold a camp-meeting in the month of August, in Lancaster county. This was the first meeting of the kind ever held by the churches of the Baptist denomination in this part of the state. Many, especially among the older brethren, doubted the expediency of appointing such a meeting; they yielded, however, to the wish of the majority. The meeting was attended by the Rev. John Kerr, who has since closed his useful labors, the Rev. J. B. Taylor, 2* the Rev. E. Ball, and other acceptable and efficient preachers of the word. We went to the encampment intensely anxious as to the results of the meeting. During the first afternoon of the service, our doubts were succeeded by confidence, and our solicitude by joy. It was apparent that God was with us. The compiler has enjoyed the privilege of attending many religious meetings where the divine blessing has been richly bestowed ; but he doubts whether he has ever seen one the results of which have been so interesting, so important, so glorious, as of this. A large proportion of the converts were heads of families — men of intelligence, respectability, and influence, who have been an honor to their profession, and pillars in the house of God. An impulse was then given to the cause of Christ in the Northern Neck which is felt to the present day, and which, we trust, may be felt, with increasing power, to the end of time.

Henrietta Hall, having returned from Fredericksburg to pass the vacation at home, was among the first converts at the meeting. Her convictions of sin were pungent, her feelings deep, and her deliverance joyful. O, it was a season of overwhelming interest and gratitude, when so many pious parents were permitted to embrace their children in the bright anticipation of meeting them before the throne of God, to part no more forever !

On the 2d of Sept., 1831, this young convert, not quite fourteen years old, was baptized by the compiler of this Memoir, then the pastor of the Morattico Baptist church. Her experience was clear, scriptural, and satisfactory. I well remem-

HER MOTHER'S DEATH. 19

her that she ascribed her first permanent religious impressions to the solemn question propounded to her by her pious teacher, Mrs. Little, " Where will you be a hundred years hence?" It awakened in her bosom serious meditation, a sense of accountability to God, and a conviction of guilt and danger, which, by the divine blessing, led her to repentance, and prepared her for a happy reception of the gospel. In obeying the Saviour's positive ordinance of baptism, she obtained, what all who properly obey it will find, " the answer of a good conscience toward God." In her last letter, written but a few hours before her departure from earth, she refers with manifest delight to the event. " 'Twas you, my dear brother Jeter, who led me into the liquid grave. O ! how well do I remember that day, that precious day, and the dear friends, (some, yea, many of them now departed,) who accompanied me to the water's edge."

This had been to Henrietta a bright and joyful year, but it was to close in gloom. Her fond and pious mother, after a brief and violent illness, departed this life on the 26th of Dec., 1831, at " Waverly," the family residence in Lancaster. The loss of a mother, at all times one of the severest bereavements which can befall a child, was to Henrietta, just then arrived at the period of life at which maternal counsel and supervision are most needed, peculiarly afflictive. Being the oldest of the children, on her devolved the duty of taking ;i maternal oversight of her little brothers and sisters. How faithfully she discharged this duty will appear in the sequel. This unexpected bereavement made an ineffaceable impression on Henrietta's heart. From this time the world seemed to have but little power to charm her ; and the hope of meeting her dear mother in heaven, which grew into a bright and joyous anticipation, was never long absent from her mind. The following extract from her Journal, penned during her long voyage to the East, may be appropriately introduced here in illustration of this remark.

" Dec. 26, (1835.) This day brings with it the recollection of one painful event. On this day four years ago I experienced the loss of one of the kindest and most affectionate of mothers. This indeed caused me to shed tears of sorrow. I was at once totally deprived of her kind attention, which had been bestowed on me from my childhood. Life no longer appeared joyous, but was clothed in gloom and melancholy. 1 looked around for comfort, but, alas ! none was to be found. Five helpless children, a bereaved husband, and weeping servants, were all that met my eye. Her vacant chair reminded me of the many delightful seasons I had enjoyed in sitting by her side, and listening to her motherly advice. But now these moments had fled forever — her voice was still in death — and she, no doubt, had already clasped to her fond bosom her dear little babes, who had gone before her to the abodes of the blest. But why should I indulge these painful thoughts? It was, I am now certain, all for the best. How infinitely happier is she tlnn earth could make her! She is done with dull mortality, and having met her Saviour, is now feasting on his smiles. Nor would I call her

HER MOTHER'S DEATH. 21

back to this vain world were it in my power. Ah! no; rest on, sweet mother; I shall only be denied thy endearing society a few more fleeting years — then shall I meet with thee, and dear little brothers, in the mansions of glory, to sing the song of the redeemed — then shall I be freed from earth with all its dull concerns.

And, dearest father, let us follow the footsteps of your beloved consort, and my devoted mother. We know how she lived — we know how she died. Her path was one that shone more and more brightly. Though I was not by her (she was at school) to see her bid adieu to scenes below, yet she did not forget her absent Henrietta. You, no doubt, remember her last message to me — ' Prove faithful to your Creator, and meet me in heaven.' How important every word ! how tender and affectionate ! Do, dear pa., pray that I may indeed ' prove faithful ' — that I may, as she did, adorn the profession which I have made. You cannot, my parent, imagine my feelings when I think of our next meeting. O ! that we, with all the dear children, may meet my mother in the realms of unfading bliss. It seems that I cannot wait for death — it appears too long to be away from heaven. I feel ready to exclaim, ' O, for some dove's extended wings ! ' But this cannot be — I must remain below a little longer — I must be active a little while in my blessed Saviour's cause — I must endeavor to tell the dying heathen the story of Jesus, that they too may know how to praise, and how to serve him. Yes, let me live as long as God shall see fit, and let me be eminently useful while I live."

About this period, (1832,) Col. Hall (he held

22 MEMOIR OF MRS. iHUCK.

this rank in the militia) determined to abandon the lucrative profession of law, and devote himself to the work of the Christian ministry. In the beginning of 1835, having received the appointment of general agent of the American Colonization Society, for the state of Virginia, he removed with his family to the city of Richmond. Here Miss H ill, with her fuher and step-mother, became members of the First Baptist Church, then under the pastoral charge of the Rev. J. T. Hinton. She entered the female seminary taught by the Rev. H. Keeling and his 1 idy ; and applied herself assiduously to her studies. On leaving the institution, she received, unsolicited, testimonials of the most satisfactory character. Between her and her pious teachers a friendship was fanned which flourished, as the reader will find in the progress of this work, till the close of her valuable life.

Miss Hall, from the commencement of her religious life, seems to have cherished the missionary spirit. This spirit she wis likely to imbibe. Her disposition, ardent, bordering on the romantic — her reading — her associations — the frequent conversations on Christian missions in her father's family — and, above all, her fervent piety, would have led an intelligent observer to expect, that she would have a desire to emulate the example of the devoted and excellent women, whose labors and sufferings, in the missionary enterprise, have awakened, throughout the Christian world, so lively an interest, and so deep a sympathy.

The Rev. J. Lewis Shuck, a student of the Virginia Baptist Seminary, now Richmond College, having been accepted, by the Board of the

LETTER TO MRS. KEELING. 23

Baptist Triennial Convention, as a missionary to China, invited Miss Hall to accompany him, as the companion of his toils and the sharer of his joys and sorrows. To this proposal, after anxious deliberation, consultation with her friends, and earnest prayer for divine guidance, she assented. In anticipation of her union with Mr. Shuck, the following letter — the earliest of her letters which have come into our hands — was written to her friend, Mrs. Keeling.

«' RICHMOND, JUNE 2~>, 1835.

If I mistake not, my beloved teacher promised to write me a long letter ; but th it wished-for favor has not yet arrived. I hope, however, it is not far distant. I do, indeed, need instruction, and I wish to receive it from you, because I am well convinced it would be altogether correct.

You said, yesterday, you were afraid I did not love you because you spoke so freely to me. Quite the contrary — I love you but the more. And when you or Mr. Keeling discover any thing improper in my deportment, whether in or out of school, do not, for a moment, hesitate to tell me of it, so that I may guard against the same another time. Rely on it, I will take it kindly. ' Those indeed, are our friends who tell us of our fiults.'

You seem to think hardly of me for not talking to you on some certain subjects. No doubt, you know whence proceeds my backwardness.

The cause of missions, dearest teacher, lies near my heart. I feel greatly for the poor, dying heathen. The sincere prayer of my heart is, O that I were qualified to become a missionary of the cross ! How gladly would I enter the field of labor, although it would cause torrents of tears to roll down my cheeks. Many a pang of sorrow would my bosom feel to part with a beloved father, kind mother, dear sisters and brothers, who are dearer to me than all the world beside. Yet, if by parting with all that's dear by the ties of nature, I could promote the cause of Christ in heathen lands, I would, leaving them in the hands of an allwise Protector, take the parting hand, and amongst the benighted heathen would I labor until death. And if, at last, I should be the means of rescuing one heathen from eternal woe, I should be amply compensated for all the difficulties and trials which I might have to undergo. I am well convinced, dearest teacher, that the life of a missionary is by no means an easy one ; to the comfort and ease of this world she is a stranger ; but she enjoys, what, in my estimation, is far better, the presence of the Most High.