VIII. SARAH D. COMSTOCK, OF BURMAH. THE Burman Empire has witnessed the deathscene of some of the most illustrious women who have ever lived. It is the grave-yard in which their bodies have been laid to rest, after the spirits have departed. It will continue to be a spot of melancholy interest, as long as the ashes of departed saints are deemed of value by the Christian world; and those graves will remain the silent pledges that Burmah will never be abandoned, as a field of missionary exertion, until missionary exertion shall be no longer necessary. The soil in which such choice spirits find rest, the groves in which they seek shelter, the flower which blossoms, and the tree which waves its branches over them, are all sacred in the estimation of those who love God, and delight in the glory of his kingdom. Senseless as they are, they assist in forming a shelter for honoured dust, over which monuments of marble, with letters of gold and silver, are not worthy to rise. When Mrs. Comstock died, another name was added to the glorious catalogue of the fallen-not fallen, but ascended. Another grave was made, from which, on the morning of the resurrection, will come forth a glorified one, to shine in the crown of the Saviour for ever. SARAH DAVIS COMSTOCK was a native of Brook line, Mass. She was the daughter of Robert S. Davis, of the Baptist church in that place. In the house of her father her youthful days were passed, and there she received the mental and moral education which fitted her to labour for the souls of the heathen. In early life she found the Saviour, and during her residence in America, gave full evidence of a pious, self-denying spirit. Previous to his sailing for the East, Mr. Comstock selected her for his companion, and with a martyr spirit, she determined to bear the sacrifice and endure the toil. She was married to Mr. C., and in the act gave herself not only to him, but to the cause of Christ—to all the sufferings incident to a life in Burmah. They, in company with several other elected missionaries, were publicly consecrated to the work, in June, 1834, and sailed immediately for their field of labour. The services of consecration, on the 28th of June, occurred in the Baldwin Place Church, in Boston, and were of thrilling interest. Meetings had been held during the day, in another church, at which Rev. Mr. Wade and the converts from heathenism, Ko Chet-thing and Moung Sway-moung, had spoken. Indeed the whole of the previous week had been given to missionary exercises and missionary sympathy, and when the evening of the sabbath came, the spacious church was densely crowded with an eager and holy throng. Rev. Dr. Wayland delivered an eloquent address, of more than an hour's length, after which the missionaries were instructed by Dr. Bolles, Secretary of the American Baptist Board, under whose patronage they were to be sent out. When their instructions had been given, Mr. Wade replied in behalf of his brethren and sisters who were so soon to leave our shores. The whole scene was one of deep interest, and many were the prayers offered to God in behalf of that company of devoted Christians. In these delightful services, Dr. Comstock, father of Rev. Grover S. Comstock, one of the missionaries, and Rev. Dr. Wisner, Secretary of the American Board, participated, and in the crowded house there were several missionaries, connected with other denominations, who looked on with thrilling interest and satisfaction. One who witnessed the scene, and heard the addresses which were given, speaks of the occasion as follows: "At seven o'clock, notwithstanding the weather, that spacious building was crowded to excess, above and below; hundreds were standing through the whole service, and hundreds retiring from the house because there was not even a place to stand. To be present among those thousands on such an occasion, once in a life, were to stamp that life with an impression to which language is not equal. What then must have been felt by each of these missionaries ?— by their relatives and friends?—by those angels who rejoice over one sinner that repenteth, and whose prophetic thoughts would connect this preparatory hour with the repentance of myriads in a distant clime, and age after age? "We did not wonder therefore to hear Dr. Wayland's address open with a confession of the inadequacy of speech to do justice to the thoughts and feelings that fill the soul to overflowing at such an hour. And while listening to his lofty, bold, beautiful, and we may add emphatically, scriptural delineation of the objects, qualifications, and duties of a Christian missionary—a delineation that made every other object and character than that of the Christian dwindle into utter insignificance in the comparison -we felt as did Peter on the mount of glorious vision, 'It is good to be here!' And the thought more than once occurred to us, How would the late venerable Baldwin have enjoyed this scene! "We were struck by the remark of Mr. Wade, that while he regarded the prayers of Christians in this country as indispensable to the success of the mission, he could not but fear, that prayers such as he had sometimes heard, would avail them or their offerers little. The fervour of love, the expectancy of hope, and the persevering constancy of faith, were the spiritual qualities wanted. Could they not be obtained? "In the farewell of Ko Chet-thing and Moung Sway-moung there was a simplicity and pious warmth, that went to the heart. They were grateful for the unspeakable blessings of the gospel sent to them when in darkness; and happy alike, that they had been permitted of God to see the land where the seed grew; that they were now about to return to plant and rear the tree of the gospel in Burmah; and that they could hope hereafter to meet their Christian friends of America in heaven." The closing hymn, which was sung by the choir and congregation with fine effect, was written for the occasion by one of the sweetest writers among American poets. "Native land!-in summer smiling,— Hill and valley, grove and stream; Haunts!-to which our childhood hasted, "Mother! who hast watched our pillow, "Brothers!-sisters! more than ever "Burmah!-we would soothe thy weeping; Where no voice shall say,-Farewell! On the morning of Wednesday, July 2nd, the good ship Cashmere, Captain Hallet, bore them from our shores, some of them to return no more. There were on board, Mr. and Mrs. Comstock, Mr. and Mrs. Dean, Mr. and Mrs. Vinton, Mr. and Mrs. Howard, Mr. and Mrs. Wade, Mr. and Mrs. Osgood, Miss Gardener, and the Eastern converts, all * Mrs. L. H. Sigourney. |