Burmah's great missionary. Records of the life, character, and achievements of Adoniram Judson

Preface

The influences whicli flow from acquaintance witli the history of great men's lives are powerful and abiding. Religious biographical literature is greatly appreciated by Christians of every name ; nor can the general estimation in which it is held be deemed erroneous. It would be difficult to indicate any means, separate from its issues of the inspired volume, by which the press has done more efficient service in quickening spiritual life and promoting Christian usefulness. ~No man has fulfilled his course in latter times with whose life it could be more profitable for the churches of Christ to have a familiar knowledge, than that of the illustrious subject of these pages. Persuaded that such is the case, it seems an imperative duty to promote so worthy a service. This has been recognized by several eminent ministers, and in consequence various works have been published. Several years since, the Rev. Dr. Dowling issued iv Preface.

a " Judson Offering," wMcli has placed incidents of great interest before some thousands, and, it is to be hoped, with beneficial results in nurturing a missionary spirit. Since Mr. Judson 's lamented decease, not only the commemorative discourses of the Rev. Drs. Hague and Babcock, but various other small works, have appeared. The Rev. Messrs. Eddy of Lowell, Gray of Shelburne Falls, and Gillette now of New York, have prepared interesting sketches; and at the time of our present writing, a small work by the Rev. Dr. Cushraan is issuing from the press.

In addition to these, the Rev. Dr. Wayland has gathered together the journals and correspondence of Mr. Judson in two volumes, and presented a memoir which will doubtless long be regarded as an important contribution to the literature of missions.

Satisfied that there is a class of readers who will not be contented with the scanty information which the smaller works contain, while the larger one is beyond the means of very many, at a time when there was no intimation of any work of a similar scope, the one now presented was projected, and its preparation commenced.

In writing it, the author had no theories of his own to support. His object from first to last was

Preface.

to make a work answerable to his title-page. As far as possible, lie has incorporated Mr. Judson's own language. Wlien contemplating this work, he chanced to read a review of the memoir of a missionary, published some years before, which remarked that while '' ample use" is made of the writings of the worthy laborer it commemorates, " they are not, in the manner of some biographeis, dragged in wholesale, as if eagerly grasped to jSlII up a page. Indeed, seldom is there more than a portion of a letter quoted."

These remarks mil be found to apply to the present volume. To secure accuracy and completeness, much more time was occupied than was at first anticipated. Eminent ministers who have manifested a kind interest in its preparation have examined the proof sheets. In some cases these have been transmitted a considerable distance. Whatever delay has occurred, has tended to the production of a better work than could otherwise have been prepared.

Xothing has been omitted that appeared important to a complete history, while much will be found not otherwise readily accessible to the general reader. The admirable memoir of Ann H. Judson, by the late beloved Knowles, has been the basis of most of the later productions convi Preface.

cerning Burmali and its missions, and has been, in some cases, too servilely copied. It has proved a valuable auxiliary in the present instance, but its statements have been carefully examined, and where incorrect amended.

In accordance with the request Mr. Judson made on his friends in 1828, the title of Doctor has not been used.

The writer is conscious that his work falls far shoi-t of his own ideal of excellence, yet he hopes that it may render some service in perpetuating the memory of its subject, and promoting an interest in the cause to which his life was devoted.