We arrived at Singapore, on the 31st of March, in health and safely, and immediately rented a house, which accommodates the three families of us separately and comfortably.In Maulmein we remained one week, and passed the time most agreeably in the society of the dear brethren and sisters there. They all seemed assiduously engaged and happy, and the work of the Lord encouragingly prospers. We remained four days at Penang, and were affectionately entertained by the Rev. Messrs. Davies and Beighton, and their worthy consorts, of the London Missionary Society. The former gentleman is connected with the Chinese department, and the latter with the Malay. The city of Singapore is situated about 1 degree north of the equator, and 102 degrees east of Greenwich, - is under the English government, enjoys a salubrious climate, has an increasing commerce, and contains about 18,000 Chinese, 6,000 Malays, and 3,000 others of different nations, besides between one and two hundred Europeans. There are here at present six missionaries of the American Board, and one of the London Missionary Society. Br. Jones left Singapore a few days before we arrived, on his way to Malacca and Penang, to make arrangements for Siamese printing. And, judging from the letter which he left for us at this place, that he was not aware of our having with us a printer and apparatus for Bankok, we thought it expedient, and br. Davenport immediately embarked for Malacca, to consult him with regard to future operations.
There will be no vessels leaving here for Bankok, before the middle of June. Not wishing to be idle, I have procured me a competent Malay teacher, and commenced the study of that language. I find that it is quite simple and easy, and extensively useful in all these surrounding regions, even among the Chinese themselves. The Chinese and Hindoo shopkeepers, washermen, breadmen, milkmen, coolies, servants, &c. &c., all understand the Malay. As soon, however, as I can procure suitable books, and a properly qualified teacher, I shall lay hold of the Chinese; for to the everlasting welfare of the perishing millions of the "celestial empire," do I consider the energies of my life exclusively devoted.
We are all at present in good health, and with gratitude record the loving-kindness of the Lord, which has surrounded us amid all our wanderings, since we left our native land. We rejoice that now we are in the midst of the heathen, and feel more than ever desirous of toiling,
"Till life's last glimmer
Shall die away,"
for their eternal good.========= [From The Baptist Missionary Magazine, 1835, p. 279. Document from Google Books On-line. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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