The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-04-04

SohSSiS"oSS Va thO PSoPiSi oiA W ti"HS'ut'
the scriptures in such way as to presen
TO the native mind the precise idea of the
Orignal--added TO which the native MIND
is cast in different mould from ours
and totally new set of ideas must be i'm.
planted before they can really understand
what we are aiming at.
This trial is often aggravated by sick.
ness and consequent inability TO go on
with our work. We then almost feel 10 in
quire, why is it that we have been permit
ted to leave land where we might have
made ourselves useful, and come into
these corners of the earth. where nox.
ious climate is prostrating our health and
spirits, and prevents our doing even the
little good that we otherwise might p
When to this is added the thought that
perhaps it is for our own sinfulness and
unftness for the work, that we are not
permitted the privilege of doing any more
for God, these trials come armed with a
double sting-but amid them all we are
consoled with the assurance that they are
sent upon US by Fathers love.
Ia the midst of judgments, however,
we have been made to sing of mercy
Since we came to this place, about two
years ago. we have enjoyed almost unin-
lerrupted health in our family, which has
enabled me to make much more rapid
progress in the work of translation than
ever before. | still feel my DEFICIENCIES
in the language-translalion costs me a
good deal Of labor, but it is my endeavor
to do what do. thoroughly. | hope to
have The New Testament completed in
about year more, if health is spared.
All our missions seem to be going
through scenes of trial. Sister Simons
and sister Comstock have both been re.
moved from the scenes OF their labors. |
hope the churches will speedily send out
more laborers to supply the places ofthose
who are removed-and also 10 occupy
The new fields which are CONSTANT open
ing before us.
| shall ever remember you and Mrs.
Conanl with the sincerest affection, and
shall not cease to pray for you while life
remains. Soon our warfare will be end
ed, and we shall meet in that happy land
where the friend ships of former days shall
be renewed, and no shade of imperfec-
lion or unoveliness in our character
shall remain to interrupt the full flow of
afectionate feeling.
In regard 10 descriptions of this coun-
try, mode of life. &C., which you request,
| fear shall be able 10 communicate lit
lie that will be new 10 you. The chief
produce of Asam is rice, which consti-
tutes the main article of tood-next, OPT
UNI. which is the ruin of the country
Large quantities of silk are also manu-.
1actured, and this coarse and fne) is the
usual dress of the nalives--not made into
garments, but wrapped around them just
as it comes from the loom. Jackets how
ever, are sometimes worn by the higher
classes. Our houses are of an entirely
different descri ption from anything al
home. The posts are firm y planted in
the ground, the beams, rafers, &c., tied
on with raltans, the roof covered with a
long kind of grass which keeps out the
rain beautifully, the sides and partitions
are made either OF reeds pIastered with |
mud, or of bamboo mats woven like bask-
Ell work Sometimes bamboo floor is
made little above the ground-but the
natives generally live upon the bare
ground. The house we now live in has
no floor, but we have reed mat spread |
upon the ground to prevent the Damp
In front of our house we have tank, or
artificial poEd near two miles round upon
which we sometimes sail in boat of an
evening, during the hot weather. al
ways travel on foot, as | fad it more
trouble and expense 10 keep horse than
il is worth. We seldom eat any fresh
meat except fowls, and fer myself | use
only vegetables for the greater part of the
year. Hearty food of every description
we are obliged scrupulously to avoid.
Respecting the population of Asam,
and the urgent need for more laborers, /
have written fully to my brother, VIM.
G. Brown, and also to the Baptist Maya
zine where you will probably see a map
OF the country which l have sent to Mr..
Peck. | feel exceedingly anxious that
this field should be occupied, and cannot
but hope that some young brother from
the Green Mountains may yet have it put
into his heart 10 say, "Here Lord, am |,
send me-" Within circuit of about six
miles distance from this place we have
above hundred native villages, where
we have free access TO the people, aud
can preach the gospel without lie, or
hindrance. A great portion Of Asam is
equally populous-Hndusm is the es-
tabIished religion--a small portion only
of the whole population are able 10 read
some readers, however, can be found 10
nearly every village.
l have been rejoiced to hear Of the bless
ing that has followed the preaching of
Elder Knaop. He seems 10 have been