marriage they left Salem for the place of
embarkation. They were to sail first to Calcutta, and if on reaching
there the troubles in Burmah should prevent their going at once to that
country, they were to remain in Calcutta, and apply themselves to the
acquisition of the Burman language.

In expectation of their speedy departure, meetings for special prayer
were held at Boston, Salem, New York, and Philadelphia. The spirit which
animated these meetings, and breathed in all the supplications offered,
was indicative of deep interest in the mission, and of united and
determined resolution, by the grace of God to support it. Mr. and Mrs.
B. were everywhere received with the utmost kindness, and nothing was
withheld which could contribute to animate them in their arduous
undertaking, and render their future voyage pleasant and healthful. The
captain and other officers of the ship Asia in which they were to sail,
made the most ample provision for their comfort and accommodation, and
rendered them every attention in a manner most grateful to their
feelings. At a concert of prayer in Philadelphia, Mr. Boardman was
called upon to give a brief account to the audience of the motives which
had induced him to devote his life to the missionary service. In his
reply, he took occasion in the first place to acknowledge the goodness
of God to him through his whole life. When he entered Waterville
College--the first student ever admitted there not hopefully pious--his
fellow-students, impressed with this fact, solemnly engaged with each
other, unknown to him, to remember him in their supplications, until
their prayers for his conversion should be answered. Six months from
that time he found peace in believing, and his first prayer was that God
would make him useful. His mind was so impressed with the condition of
our Indian tribes, that he felt inclined to carry to them the message of
salvation. But his venerable father, whom he consulted as to his duty,
advised him "to wait on God, and He would conduct him in the right way."
After some time, his choice was decided in favor of the Burman mission
by such indications, that he considered his call to this service
distinctly and plainly marked. He adverted in a very tender manner to
some peculiar indications of Providence, especially to the manner in
which his parents received the knowledge of his determination. Their
remark was, _It has long been our desire to do something for the
mission; an