Death of Sebo Sahu. entered into rest. For years he had been anticipating his removal, and, strange as it may seem to English ideas, he had a large box or coffin made some five years ago, which he kept in his verandah in the village street. Think not that this coffin was smooth and polished, as we are accustomed to see them in England, no! it was simply a large box, made of roughly sawn planks, and was not unlike a corn chest. Iron-bound at the corners, it opened with hiuges, and was fastened by two iron clasps. The latter were held in their places by bits of stick, pegs they could scarcely be called, as they seemed to have been simply broken off the hedge. As we gazed upon this unadorned coffin, and saw it borne to the grave by a yoke of oxen, on a rush cart, we could not but contrast the scene presented with gor geous, pompous funerals we have sometimes witnessed in our fatherland. In view of the resurrection morning, how little it signifies in what our mortal remaius are deposited; for, while many shall come forth from leaden coffins and marble tombs "to shame and ever lasting contempt,"-others shall come from shapeless holes and shapeless boxes, to "shine as the brightness of the firmament and as the stars forever." The manner in which men come up out of the grave will, in very many instances, differ widely from the manner in which they go down into it. Happy they who sleep in Jesus, and then, whether they were interred with the pomp of princes, or plainness of paupers, their resurrection shall be glorious. The removal of any person into eternity is a most solemn event, but that solemnity is sometimes augmented by attendant circumstances. To our mind, the removal of Sebo Sahu is not only most solemn but most interesting. It is interesting because he was our oldest native christian in the village, but also because he was one of the first two, if not the first, in this district who, more than twenty years ago, renounced heathenism and embraced Christianity. Brought up in a land of gospel light | and gospel privileges, where christians are numerous, and Christianity considered respectable, we are not in a proper position to estimate aright the 117 difficulties which our departed friend had to surmount, nor can words give a correct impression of the reality. Instead of being encouraged by his kindred and friends, they became his bitterest foes and most violent persecutors. Instead of being reminded that by his conversion he becomes linked to the purest, the wisest, the noblest men the world ever saw-that he has become one with the noble, army of martyrs, the goodly fellowship of the apostles-with the innumerable hosts of angels, and even a joint beir with Christ-he is reproached with bringing disgrace upon his long line of ancestors-he becomes unworthy of the lowest place in society, and sinks lower in the scale of being than the coarsest maggot. Houses where once he was. welcomed are at once closed against him Parents who fed him would not give him the smallest quantity of food. Brothers who have sat at meat with him year after year, refuse to eat with him any longer. His face is too foul for the barber to shave, and his clothes too unclean for the washerman to wash. Curses innumerable are heaped upon his head, and he is appointed to undergo an eternal succession of births, each being followed by a lower and meaner state of existence. God helping him, however, Sebo was enabled to break caste, to set at nought the religion observed by his ancestors for untold generations to sacrifice all his dearest friends and worldly prospects-to be come a stranger in his native land, and to endure the thousand and one an noyances which his profession of Christianity would entail. In his case, godliness would seem to have been profitable to the life that now is, as, of six brothers, he was the last survivor, and he has lived to become known and respected by all the heathen around. In the native books he was well read; and as a native doctor, his fame was extensive; while upon matters in general, he was quite an authority. He died, as nearly as could be calculated, at sixty-eight. His widow, who survives, and is blind, told me that when they were married he was aged twenty years and she eleven, so they had lived as man and wife about forty-eight years, an unusually long period for this country. He leaves two daughters, one a widow and the other married, both of whom reside in our christian village. Thus has passed away from this world the first heathen convert to Christianity in the neighbourhood of Khunditta. His departure from earth may be of little moment amongst men, but we can imagine that his arrival in heaven would be, both to saints and angels, a source of peculiar and aug. mented joy. their well washed feathers. Back of us stands a grove of lofty spreading trees, rooted deep in the rising and rolling ground, forming the western boundary of the lake. A few feet beyond its southern bank, is the "Rifle Practice" ground, marked by two or three standing targets, where the European Infantry, composing the military garrison of the place, are often drilled in the use of fire arms. Some hundreds of yards farther off west, on the road leading "to the lake," is the military cemetery, surrounded by a BAPTISMAL SCENE IN BURMAH. wooden railing, the plain tombstones BY DR. DAWSON. and simple headboards indicating the spots where the ashes of the dead repose. Thence on the north, at the distance of half a mile, is the glittering grandeur from the huge earthern mounds upon which it is built. Its tinkling bells are set ringing, in soft murmuring tones, by the Monsoon breeze. Nature thus spread out in such striking lineaments, presents a checkered picture, which at once impresses upon the heart of the contemplative beholder, the glory and goodness of God. It was yet early in the morning. The weather and the roads were both unpropitious for the prompt assembling at the appointed hour. Some arrived earlier then others. The company thus collected in twos and threes, the distance from town being about three miles. Finally all came together, at about half-past seven o'clock. Considering the unfavourable circumstances just narrated, quite a large number of Burmese christians and spectators was in attendance to witness the administration of the ordinance. DRIZZLE, drizzle, drizzle, down came pattering the rain. The canopy overhead was formed of dark, leaden" Dragon Pagoda," rising in golden coloured clouds; under feet, it was all slop, slush, mud. Before us lay the broad bosom of “Kan-dau-gbyee," the honorific native name by which the "Lake" is called. The term signifies the great royal lake. If situated, with all its accompaniments, in some dreary waste, where living verdure is scarce, it would be a very oasis indeed. Most picturesquely this sheet of water is spread out, covering several hundred acres. Scattered over its turbid surface, are seen a few beautiful islands, whose grassy slopes and rolling woodlands, give a charm to the whole scene. Skimming among the ripples and miniature waves, produced by the passing wind, may be noticed on the bosom of the lake, some nimble, silvery looking fish, now bounding in sport through the air, or chasing some fancied object of food. In another spot, standing behind a tuft of grass, with his long neck and beak, is a white crane, stretching above the largest spires of verdure, and watching the movements of some wriggling, diminutive fish, just a little beyond his reach. To the right hand side, under a timber shed, made right down in the water, are secured some half a dozen nicely painted pleasure boats, owned by military gentlemen of the station, but which are seldom used, for taking exercise, during the rainy season. Perched on the twigs of the neighbouring bushes, are a few little black birds, shaking the drops of water off Gradually closing together, on a narrow point of land, near the margin of the water, the interesting baptismal service begins, by singing the 818th hymn of the Psalmist, headed, the "Baptism of Christ." Down to the sacred wave The Lord of life was led, In Jordan bowed his head. He taught the blissful way, He bade the ransomed ones obey, Foreign Letters Received. 119 Rev. Mr. Stevens officiated, assisted | baptism of the several candidates, a by the native pastor of the Burmese verse was sung from the hymn bechurch, Rev. Ko En. For the benefitginning, "All hail the power of Jesus' of those present who did not know the Burman language, a few brief remarks were offered in English, touching the subject of the holy rite about to be observed. The pastor then led in prayer in Burmese. Six candidates were now severally immersed, upon a profession of their faith in Christ, Mr. S. administering the ordinance. During the intervals between the name," and for the three last converts, a stanza from a baptismal hymn in Burmese. It was a most impressive and solemn service. Such was the baptismal scene witnessed, on Sunday morning, the 15th day of July, in the year of grace one thousand eight hundred and sixty. 46 Glory be to God." Amen.Macedonian. Foreign Letters Received. BERHAMPORE.-W. Bailey, January 2nd | CUTTACK.—J. Buckley, December 14th. CAMP, BHUDDRUCK.--J. Buckley, Jan. 3rd Miss Butler, January 3rd. -W. Hill, December 15th. Contributions RECEIVED ON ACCOUNT OF THE GENERAL BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY, From January 20th, to February 20th, 1861. Subscriptions and Donations in aid of the General Baptist Missionary Society will be thankfully received by Robert Pegg, Esq., Treasurer, Derby, and by the Rev. J. C. Pike, Secretary, Quorndon, near Loughborough, from whom also Missionary Boxes, Collecting Books and Cards may be obtained. Ramsgate ... ... Rochdale Rocester Sheffield, Cemetery-road Sutterton ... Sutton-in-Ashfield Todmorden THE GENERAL BAPTIST MAGAZINE. APRIL, 1861. THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH THE JOY OF MINISTERS. even a pitiable character, is of all men the most enviable. WHEN we consider the great value of more than any other human being, parspiritual benefits, far surpassing those takes on earth the joy of angels; the which are of a worldly kind, we can grandeur of success in his case gives hardly wonder that between the instru- him greater joy than the husbandman ments and recipients of such blessings has in the increase of his fields, or an affectionate union should spring up; than the tradesman has in the prosand between a minister and people who perity of his business. Moreover the have been benefited by his labours, a tokens of his people's grateful and real and deep attachment should exist. faithful affection act joyously on his Not only is such attachment in itself spirit. The Christian minister so situreasonable-but it is highly useful-ated, so far from being a despicable or conducive to the happiness of both parties and to their united usefulness It is customary with some persons to represent the ministry as a lugubrious avocation into which no joy enters, and the Christian minister's course as a Sorrowful way; while others are apt to look upon it as a most comfortable and easy life, in which there is little labour, and less anxiety and care. We, from our own experience, can bear testimony to the utter falseness of the latter view. Nor do we subscribe to the former. A minister has his anxiety and care-his heavy mental toils, which leave him, excepting the hours of sleep, scarcely any relief; but on the other hand, if he labour amongst a kind people, and be blessed with some measure of success, he has many joys. He, perhaps, VOL. II., NEW SERIES. No. 4. The intimate relationship subsisting between a minister and the people of his charge gives them a great influence over each others' happiness; and the holy and united conduct of a people gives joy to ministers, while opposite conduct cannot but wound and give them pain. The apostle felt that the Philippians had a power over his happiness; and he thus exhorts them to use that power kindly-so acting as to increase and complete that joy which their past good behaviour had in some good measure excited-Fulfil ye my joy.' And if an apostle, who was only occasionally amongst a particular people, felt that they had an influence over the measure |