Wheelock a short time previous, determined to visit Ava
and see the king. They did so, and with some difficulty obtained a hearing.
They took with them the Bible, which was in six large volumes, decorated
with gold, and well calculated to attract the attention of a heathen
monarch. They were introduced into the palace and seated among the nobles.
When the king appeared, the whole heathen throng prostrated themselves with
their faces to the earth; the missionaries alone remained erect. After some
conversation they presented their petition, and a tract on the being of
God. The proud monarch read the petition through, and coldly handed it
back to his minister. His eye then glanced over the little book; he read a
single sentence, and then dashed it to the ground. Without ceremony they
were hurried away from the palace, and, after various annoyances, were
allowed to return to the friendly shelter of their boat. Sadly did they go
back to the field of their labors to relate the story of their failure, and
to toil on again until some new interruption.
Under the labors and sufferings incident to such a station, the health of
Mrs.
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