“This morning they came up in much trouble. They stated that, as they had fully embraced the Christian religion in their hearts, they could not remain easy without being baptized, according to the command of Christ; that no man could tell whether I should ever return or not, and that it was their earnest petition that if I could possibly find time, and thought them worthy of the ordinance, I would administer it to them before I went away. They did not wish me to go out to the usual place, as that was at some distance, but would be baptized in a small pond near the mission-house. Moung Gway said that, though he was very ignorant, he knew enough of this religion to love it sincerely, and to trust in Christ for salvation from all his sins. I reexamined them both, stated to them the great danger of professing a foreign religion, etc., and, on their urging their request, told them I would baptize them in the evening.
“Was obliged to be out all the afternoon, getting our things aboard the ship, as we expect to move down the river tomorrow morning. At night baptized the two new disciples, after which we all partook of the Lord’s supper for the last time.
“_July 17._ Ship to be detained two days. In the forenoon, the teacher, Moung Shwa-gnong, came in. I received him with some reserve, but soon found that he had not stayed away so long from choice, having been ill with a fever for some time, and occupied also with the illness of his family and adherents. He gradually wore away my reserve; and we had not been together two hours, before I felt more satisfied than ever, from his account of his mental trials, his struggles with sin, his strivings to be holy, his penitence, his faith, his exercises in secret prayer, that he is a subject of the special operations of the Holy Spirit, that he is indeed a true disciple. He stayed all day. In the afternoon the five Nan-dau-gong visitors, the doctor Oo Yan, and several others came together, and we had much interesting conversation. Toward the close, Moung Shwa-gnong, as if to bring things to a crisis, addressed me thus: ‘My lord teacher, there are now several of us present who have long considered this religion. I hope that we are all believers in Jesus Christ.’ ‘I am afraid,’ replied I, ‘to say that; however, it is easily ascertained; and let me begin with you, teacher. I have heretofore thought that you fully believed in the eternal God; but I have had some doubt whether you fully believed in the Son of God, and the atonement which He has made.’ ‘I assure you,’ he replied, ‘that I am as fully persuaded of the latter as of the former.’ ‘Do you believe, then,’ I continued, ‘that none but the disciples of Christ will be saved from sin and hell?’ ‘None but His disciples.’ ‘How, then, can you remain without taking the oath of allegiance to Jesus Christ, and becoming His full disciple in body and soul?’ ‘It is my earnest desire to do so, by receiving baptism; and for the very purpose of expressing that desire, I have come here today.’ ‘You say you are desirous of receiving baptism: may I ask _when_ you desire to receive it?’ ‘At any time you will please to give it. Now—this moment, if you please.’ ‘Do you wish to receive baptism in public or in private?’ ‘I will receive it at any time, and in any circumstances, that you please to direct.’ I then said, ‘Teacher, I am satisfied from your conversation this forenoon, that you are a true disciple, and I reply, therefore, that I am as desirous of giving you baptism as you are of receiving it.’ This conversation had a great effect on all present. The disciples rejoiced; the rest were astonished; for though they have long thought that he believed the Christian religion, they could not think that such a man could easily be brought to profess it, and suffer himself to be put under the water by a foreigner. I then turned to Moung Thah-a, one of the Nan-dau-gong people, who, I hope, is a true believer. ‘Are you willing to take the oath of allegiance to Jesus Christ?’ ‘If the teacher Moung Shwa-gnong consents,’ said he, ‘why should I hesitate?’ ‘And if he does not consent, what then?’ ‘I must wait a little longer.’ ‘Stand by,’ said I; ‘you trust in Moung Shwa-gnong, rather than in Jesus Christ. You are not worthy of being baptized.’ Moung Myat-lah, on being similarly interrogated, wished to consider a little longer. Oo Yan was still further from committing himself. Of the women present, I interrogated Mah Men-la only. She had evidently a considerable struggle in her mind, probably on account of her husband’s having just declined. At length she said that, if I thought it suitable for her to be baptized, she was desirous of receiving the ordinance. I told her that her reply was not satisfactory. I could not consent to baptize any one who could possibly remain easy without being baptized, and then I related the story of the last two disciples; after which the party broke up.