d sisters, her burden was almost like that of the apostle who
was, as it were, willing to give up his own title to the heavenly
inheritance, if by so doing he could save his "kindred according to the
flesh."[10] All her letters which we have been privileged to see, bear
evidence of this.

In December of the year 1828, Mrs. Boardman was called to a trial which
of all others was most fitted to make her feel that every earthly
dependence is at best but a broken reed, and that

"The spider's most attenuated thread
Is cord, is cable, to our strongest hold
On earthly bliss; it breaks with every breeze."

Her almost idolized husband, her guide, her only human support,
protector, and companion, was attacked by that insidious and incurable
malady which was destined at no distant day to close his career of
usefulness on earth, and send him early to his reward. A copious
hemorrhage from the lungs warned him that his time for earthly labor was
short, and seemed to increase his desire to work while his day lasted.
As soon as his strength was sufficiently restored after his first
attack, namely, in February 1829, he resolved to fulfil his
long-cherished intention to visit the Karens in their native villages.
He took with him two Karens, two of his scholars, and a servant.
Females, who in this country of order and security, tremble at the idea
of being left for one night alone in their strong and guarded dwellings,
may perhaps conceive the feelings of Mrs. Boardman on being thus left by
her protector.--Her own health scarce re-established after a four
months' illness,--her mind agitated by fears for her stricken husband,
who under burning suns, and amid unknown wilds, exposed to the fury of
the sudden thunder-gust, and the wild beast of the jungles, must be
absent from her, perhaps, two or three dreary weeks in which time not
one "cordial, endearing report" from him, would reach her;--in her frail
hut, and with two little ones dearer to her than life, exposed to the
same dangers as herself,--what could support her in such circumstances
but her faith in that arm whose strength is shown to be "perfect, in
weakness?" A poor Karen woman, seeing her distress, tried to console
her: "Weep not, mama," she said; "the teacher has gone on an errand of
compassion to my poor perishing countrymen. They have never heard of the
true God, and the love of his Son Jesus Christ, who died upon he cross
to save sinners. They know nothing of