the bright tints of hope over the dark clouds which enveloped the future. Mr. Judson resorted to no such artifice. He knew that the case was too solemnly interesting for any thing but simplicity, and godly sincerity. He knew that the excellent man whom he addressed was capable of sacrificing his feelings to his duty, and was able to decide the painful question proposed to him, in single-hearted submission to his Saviour’s will.
After mentioning to Deacon H. that he had offered marriage to his daughter, and that she had “said something about consent of parents,” Mr. Judson proceeds in this eloquent strain ;
“I have now to ask, whether you can consent to part with your daughter early next spring, to see her no more in this world ; whether you can consent to her departure for a heathen land, and her subjection to the hardships and sufferings of a missionary life : whether you can consent to her exposure to the dangers of the ocean ; to the fatal influence of the southern climate of India ; to every kind of want and distress ; to degradation, insult, persecution, and perhaps a violent death. Can you consent to all this, for the sake of him who left his heavenly home, and died for her and for you ; for the sake of perishing, immortal souls : for the sake of Zion, and the glory of God ? Can you consent to all this, in hope of soon meeting your daughter in the world of glory, with a crown of righteousness, brightened by the acclamations of praise which shall redound to her Saviour from heathens saved, through her means, from eternal woe and despair ?”
Can the enemy of Missions, after reading this letter, accuse Missionaries of ambitious and selfish purposes ? Could a man, capable of writing thus, in such circumstances, be actuated by any of the ordinary motives, which govern human actions ? Could a father give up a daughter to such an alliance, and such a destiny, from any impulse, inferior to the constraining love of Christ ?
The following letter from Miss H. to an intimate friend proves that she had duly estimated the importance and the difficulties of the subject, and had been guided to a decision, after deliberate reflection and earnest prayer to God.
To Miss L. K.
Beverly, Sept. 8, 1810.
“I can, but for a moment, turn my thoughts on the dealings of God with us. He made us the inhabitants of the same town ; and living near each other, as we have, no wonder the similarity in the turn of our minds produced strong affection. The same opportunities were afforded, and under the same instructors we obtained our education. We mutually assisted each other in lightness, dissipation, and vanity. When God, by his Holy Spirit, convinced one of her lost undone condition, her first object was to convince the other. Our convictions were the same. How often did we converse on our awful situation, and mingle our tears for our hardness and stupidity. The fields and groves frequently heard our complaints, the moon and stars in the stillness of evening witnessed our sorrow. Did God leave us to act out the horrid enmity of our hearts ? Did he leave us to blaspheme his holy name, and curse the day in which we were born ? No. Let our souls be filled with astonishment—he led us to Jesus, the Saviour of sinners ! Can we deny that the Saviour appeared to us as the chief among ten thousands ? Did we not frequently meet to converse about the things of the kingdom, and eagerly inquire, ‘how we could most promote the glory of God ?’ These facts, my friend, we cannot deny. But where is now that engagedness for God ? What have we ever done for him who has so distinguished us ? O Lydia, let us weep, let us be deeply affected with our ingratitude in living no more devoted to him. O let us, dear L. now begin, and sacrifice every thing that comes in competition with the glory of God, and give our whole selves to him.
“I have ever made you a confidant. I will still confide in you, and beg for your prayers, that I may be directed in regard to the subject which I shall communicate.
“I feel willing, and expect, if nothing in providence prevents, to spend my days in this world in heathen lands. Yes, Lydia, I have about come to the determination to give up all my comforts and enjoyments here, sacrifice my affection to relatives and friends, and go where God, in his providence, shall see fit to place me. My determinations are not hasty, or formed without viewing the dangers, trials, and hardships attendant on a missionary life. Nor were my determinations formed in consequence of an attachment to an earthly object ; but with a sense of my obligations to God, and with a full conviction of its being a call in providence, and consequently my duty. My feelings have been exquisite in regard to the subject. Now my mind is settled and composed, and is willing to leave the event with God—none can support one under trials and afflictions but he. In him alone I feel a disposition to confide.
“How short is time, how boundless is eternity ! If we may be considered worthy to suffer for Jesus here, will it not enhance our happiness hereafter? O pray for me. Spend whole evenings in prayer for those who go to carry Gospel to the poor heathen.”
Mr. and Mrs. Judson were married at Bradford, February 5, 1812.
Notes
“History of the Burman Mission, p. 14.
* The remark of one lady respecting Mrs. J. would express the feelings of many others. “I hear,” said she, “that Miss H. is going to India. Why does she go?” “Why, she thinks it her duty; would not you go, if you thought it your duty ?” “But,” replied the good lady with emphasis, “I would not think it my duty.” Many questions of duty, it may be suspected, are decided in this summary manner.
† The following extract from Mrs. Newell’s journal, dated October 20, 1810, refers to Mrs. Judson, and it shows that Mrs. Newell had not then decided to go to India ;
“A female friend called upon us this morning. She informed me of her determination to quit her native land, to endure the sufferings of a Christian amongst heathen nations—to spend her days in India’s sultry clime. How did this news affect my heart Í Is she willing to do all this for God ; and shall I refuse to lend my little aid, in a land where divine revelation has shed its clearest rays ? I have felt more for the salvation of the heathen, this day, than I recollect to have felt through my whole past life.
“How dreadful their situation ! What heart but would bleed at the idea of the sufferings they endure to obtain the joys of paradise ! What can I do, that the light of the gospel may shine upon them ? They are perishing for lack of knowledge, while I enjoy the glorious privileges of a Christian land ! Great God, direct me ! O make me in some way beneficial to their immortal souls.”
CHAPTER III.
Embarkation—Voyage—Arrival at Calcutta.
On the 6th of February, 1812, Mr. Judson, and Messrs. Samuel Newell, Samuel Nott, Gordon Hall, and Luther Rice, were ordained, as Missionaries, in the Tabernacle Church, in Salem. On the 19th of February, Messrs. Judson and Newell, with their wives, sailed from Salem, in the brig Caravan, Capt. Heard, for Calcutta. Mr. and Mrs. Nott, and Messrs. Hall and Rice, sailed for the same port, on the 18th, from Philadelphia, in the ship Harmony, Captain Brown.
The Missionaries were now embarked on their great enterprise. They had, as they supposed, taken a last farewell of their friends on earth ; and they were now hastening to distant lands, to wear out their lives in teaching the dying idolaters of India the knowledge of that Saviour, who died on Calvary, that whosoever should believe in him might not perish, but have everlasting life. Never were men engaged in a nobler enterprise. Never did benevolence impel men to a more worthy sacrifice of ease, and of all that the heart values in the domestic relations and in civilized society. If the soul of man be of inestimable worth, and if the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ be the only instrument of its recovery and salvation, then does the Missionary enterprise surpass, in the importance of its aims, and the benevolence of its motives, every other effort of the human mind. It is not the purpose of this work to advocate, by abstract reasoning, the cause of missions. The whole argument lies within a narrow compass, and may
