undersigned, members of the Divinity College, respectfully request the attention of their Reverend Fathers, convened in the General Association at Bradford, to the following statement and inquiries :
“They beg leave to state, that their minds have been long impressed with the duty and importance of personally attempting a mission to the Heathen ; that the impressions on their minds have induced a serious, and they trust, a prayerful consideration of the subject in its various attitudes, particularly in relation to the probable success, and the difficulties attending such an attempt ; and that after examining all the information which they can obtain, they consider themselves as devoted to this work for life, whenever God in his providence shall open the way.
“They now offer the following inquiries, on which they solicit the opinion and advice of this Association. Whether with their present views and feelings, they ought to renounce the object of Missions as visionary or impracticable ; if not, whether they ought to direct their attention to the eastern or western world ; whether they may expect patronage and support from a Missionary Society in this country, or must commit themselves to the direction of a European Society ; and what preparatory measures they ought to take previous to actual engagement ?
“The undersigned, feeling their youth and inexperience, look up to their Fathers in the church, and respectfully solicit their advice, direction, and prayers.
Adoniram Judson, Jr.
Samuel Nott, Jr.
Samuel J. Mills,
Samuel Neavell.”
This important paper was at first signed by two other individuals, Mr. Richards and Mr. Rice, but their names were omitted, from a fear that the application of so many individuals, at one time, might occasion embarrassment.
“This document,” says the biographer of Mr. Mills, “was referred to a Special Committee, who, in their report, recognized the imperative obligation and importance of Missions—expressed their conviction that the gentlemen who had thus modestly expressed their views, ought not to renounce, but sacredly cherish their sacred impressions ; and submitted the outlines of a plan, which at that meeting was carried into effect, in the appointment of a Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, “for the purpose of devising ways and means, and adopting and prosecuting measures, for promoting the spread of the Gospel in Heathen lands.” ‘
Mr. Judson and his associates expected and desired an immediate appointment as missionaries ; but the Board, being unprovided with funds, and not having as yet matured any plan of operations, advised them to continue their studies, and wait for further information. But, fearing that several years might elapse before a missionary spirit would be sufficiently excited in this country, Mr. Judson solicited and obtained leave of the Board to visit England, to ascertain whether any measures of co-operation could be concerted between the London Missionary Society and the Board, and whether any assistance could be obtained from that Society in case the Board itself should be unable to sustain a Mission.
He sailed in January, 1811, for England. Three weeks after sailing, the vessel was captured by a French privateer; and after being detained several weeks as a prisoner on board, he was confined in a prison at Bayonne. By the exertions of an American gentleman, he was released on parole, and at length with great difficulty he obtained passports from the Emperor, and proceeded to England, where he arrived in May.
It was found, that no concert of measures could be arranged ; but the London Society agreed to support Mr. J. and his companions as Missionaries, if the American Board should not be able to do it.
Mr. J. returned to America, and at the meeting of the Board, at Worcester, in September, 1811, he and one of his missionary brethren earnestly solicited an immediate appointment, as they were extremely anxious to be engaged in missionary labours, and as there was a prospect of war between England and the United States, which would probably interrupt their plans entirely. They stated, that if the Board was unable to support them, they would accept an appointment from the London Society. The Board resolved, notwithstanding the scantiness of its funds, to establish a Mission in Burmah ; and Messrs. Judson, Nott, Newell, and Hall, were immediately appointed. Messrs. Richards and Warren were received at the same meeting, as Missionaries, with instructions, however, to continue their studies for a while. Mr. Rice was afterwards appointed. It is interesting to contrast the state of the American Board, at that time, when its members hesitated, from a fear of the want of adequate funds, with the present condition of that powerful body.
During the session of the Association, at Bradford, in 1810, Mr. Judson first saw Miss Hasseltine. An acquaintance was soon after formed, which led to a direct offer of marriage on his part, including, of course, a proposition to her, to accompany him in his missionary enterprise.
She was thus placed in a situation of peculiar difficulty and delicacy. The influence which her affections ought to have, in deciding a question of this kind, it would not, in ordinary cases, have been difficult to determine. But in this case, her embarrassment was increased, by the conflict which might arise between affection and duty. A person so conscientious as she was, would wish to form a decision on the important question of her duty, respecting missionary labours, uninfluenced by any personal considerations. Hesitation to assume an office so responsible, and so arduous, would spring up in any mind ; but Miss Hasseltine was required to decide on this point, in connexion with another, itself of the utmost consequence to her individual happiness. It was impossible to divest herself of her personal feelings ; and she might have some painful suspicions lest her affections might bias her decision to become a Missionary; while female delicacy and honour would forbid her to bestow her hand, merely as a preliminary and necessary arrangement.
There was another circumstance which greatly increased the difficulty of a decision. No female had ever left America as a missionary to the heathen. The general opinion was decidedly opposed to the measure. It was deemed wild and [romantic in the extreme ; and altogether inconsistent with prudence and delicacy. Miss H. had no example to guide and allure her. She met with no encouragement from the greater part of those persons, to whom she applied for counsel. Some expressed strong disapprobation of the project. Others would give no opinion. Two or three individuals, whom it might not be proper to name, were steady affectionate advisers, and encouraged her to go. With these exceptions, she was forced to decide from her own convictions of duty, and her own sense of fitness and expediency.*
It was well, for the cause of Missions, that God assigned to Miss Hasseltine the honourable yet difficult office of leading the way in this great enterprise. Her adventurous spirit, and her decision of character eminently fitted her to resolve, where others would hesitate, and to advance, where others might retreat. She did decide to go, and her determination, without doubt, has had some effect on the minds of other females, who have since followed her example.†
To Mrs. Judson undoubtedly belongs the praise of being the first American female, who resolved to leave her friends and country, to bear the Gospel to the heathen in foreign climes.
Her journal, at this time, shows that her mind was in a state of extreme anxiety, and that she resorted for direction and help to Him who gives wisdom to the ignorant, and who guides the meek in judgment :
“Aug. 8, 1810. Endeavoured to commit myself entirely to God, to be disposed of according to his pleasure. He is now trying my faith and confidence in him, by presenting dark and gloomy prospects, that I may be enabled, through divine grace, to gain an ascendancy over my selfish and rebellious spirit, and prefer the will of God to my own. I do feel, that his service is my delight. Might I but be the means of converting a single soul, it would be worth spending all my days to accomplish. Yes, I feel willing to be placed in that situation, in which I can do most good, though it were to carry the Gospel to the distant, benighted heathen.
“Sept.
