Memoir of Adoniram Judson: being a sketch of his life and missionary labors

Front matter

V

MEMOIR

ADONIRAM JUDSON:

Preface

The preparation of this work was not a self-imposed task : it was undertaken at the solicitation of the publishers, and by the request of parties to whom we look for an assignment of labors.

No one can be more sensible than is the writer, of his unworthiness to be associated, in the relation of biographer, with the good man, an outline of whose missionarytoils is presented in these pages. So much veneration is attached to his name, and such solemn grandeur to his character, that it may be deemed sacrilegious presumption for an unpretending layman to endeavor to perpetuate the one or to portray the other. Nor have we attempted either, save as a plain recital of his pioneer and persevering efforts for the spiritual freedom and eternal salvation of the millions of idolatrous Burmah may conduce to that end.

True, even a meager sketch of his life-work must disclose most of his noble traits of character ; and it is to be hoped that the contour of the more prominent may be discernible

VI

PREFACE.

in this volume. His firmness and elevation of principle, expansive conceptions of christian duty, simplicity and inflexibility of faith, and fervor and enthusiasm of piety, are apparent in the portions of his journal and letters which we have inserted; and his practical judgment, strong executive capacities, untiring patience, and profound philological and other literary attainments, are exhibited in the nature, amount, and excellence of his labors, at which this work repeatedly hints. If there is any one trait which is not developed in the following pages, it is benevolence. Much of it, however, is implied in the fact, that he gave thirty-eight years of manly toil for the redemption of a people who robbed him under the vail of taxes cruelly levied, loaded him with fetters, cast him into dungeons and death-prisons, drove him bare-footed over burning sands, and, finally, to bar him from the heart of the empire and from the "golden presence," swung against his philanthropic heart the iron gates of intolerance. But he gave more than his days to the cause of Missions — more than his comforts a martyr to persecution: about fifteen hundred dollars received for the memoir of his second wife, and between four and five thousand dollars presented as a reward for his services as interpreter during the English and Burman war, were put into the treasury of the Lord. All he was, all he had, all he received, he cheerfully laid on the altar of Missions; and while, by divine grace, he was enabled to point others to imperishable riches, so far as it respects

. PREFACE. Vii

this world's goods he himself died a poor man. The only legacy he has left, for an invalid widow and several children, is a great and good name and a precious memoiy. And it may not be improper, in this connection, to mention that, with commendable generosity, the publishers of this work have voluntarily pledged themselves, in case profits should accrue from its sale, to donate a liberal portion to the surviving members of the Judson family. For this reason, if for no other, we could wish the work had higher merits, and brighter anticipations of public favor.

In order that it might not be deemed valueless, we have made it as autobiographical as was consistent with our plan, Nearly half of these pages are extracts from Mr. Judson's writings, in which he details, in his modest yet highly attractive manner, his efforts to sow the seed of divine truth beside the waters of Burmah. For his interesting narratives of jungle tours, adventures at the capital of Burmah Proper, and errands of mercy along the shores of the Indian seas, and across the mighty deep, we are mainly indebted to the " Missionary Magazine," to files of which, from its commencement, we have had access. We have drawn so largely upon the rich fruits of his pen, that, should our name be used in connection with the work, we may with most propriety be regarded in the light of a compiler. Essential aid has been derived from other pens, from those of Knowles, Gammell, Choules, Malcom, and others, to whom indebtedness is acknowledged elsewhere.

Viii PREFACE.

In sketching the life and labors -of Mr. Judson, we have incorporated as much missionary intelligence, particularly with reference to the stations where he labored, — those in Burmah Proper and the province of Maulmain, — as could be compressed within our prescribed limits.

So far as the work professes to be historical, great pains have been taken to make it reliable. It is not improbable, however, that an error, here and there, may have escaped notice. We have consulted no author who is faultless in in dates ; and if, in some instances, we have been misled by works that are denominated standard, and have received indiscriminate and unqualified praise, and in others are guilty of misleading by our own carelessness, we have only to ask of the candid critic, whose services we covet rather than deprecate, that our faults be pointed out in kindness and christian love.

Two or three works, commemorative of the name and services of Mr. Judson, have already appeared; and one of them, a lengthy and eloquent discourse on his life and character, is of so low a price, yet of so high a value, as to bring it within the reach of all, and to ensure its introduction into thousands of families, where a costly work might never gain access.

No volume, however, that has yet appeared, possesses sufficient fullness to be entitled to the name of "Life" of Mr. Judson. While this one and its predecessors, may serve a humble purpose, in some , instances, finding their

PREFACE.

ix way into hands where a more expensive one would not, and in others, creating or sharpening an appetite for one of more ambitious pretensions, a work of the larger class is demanded, and, we are happy to say, is in a course of preparation. The small volume which we have prepared, can not be regarded as its rival, but may serve in the humble capacity of a John Baptist, to herald a worthier.

J. C.

Buffalo, Aug. 7, 1851.

CHAPTER I. Page

Mr. Judson's Birth, Education, and Conversion — Desires to become a Missionary — Visits England — Appointment as a Missionary — Marriage and Embarkation for India, . . 17

CHAPTER XL

Arrival of the Missionaries at Calcutta — Their 111 Treatment by the Bengal Government — Change of Religious Sentiment, and Baptism of Messrs. Judson and Rice 27

Chapter III

Embarkation for the Isle of France — Return of Mr. Rice to America — Mr. Judson sails for Madras and thence for Rangoon — Sketch of the English Mission at Rangoon — Description of the Place — Character of the Burmans — Their Religion. 35

Chapter IV

Early Labors of Mr. Judson at Rangoon — Missionary Movements among American Baptists — Mr. Judson's Literary Progress — Death of the First Born 48

Chapter V

Mr. Judson joined by Mr. Hough — Printing in the Burman Language — First Inquirers after Truth*- Mr. Judson sails

CONTENTS* for Chittagong — Driven out of his Course and Delayed — Mr. Hough goes to Bengal— Mr. Judson returns to Rangoon- Heroic Conduct of Mrs. Judson. -. . „ . . 58

CHAPTER VL

Appointment of Messrs. Colman and Wheelock — - Erection of a Zayat — Early Labors thereat — Conversion and Baptism of Moung Nau — Death of the King Revision of the First Tract — Death of Mr. Wheeloek/ ...... 68

Chapter VII

New Inquirers, with a Description of one of them — More Baptisms — Signs of Persecution — Mr. Judson decides to visit

Chapter VIII

Messrs. Judson and Colman embark for the Capital — Voyage up the Irrawaddy — Introduction to the King — His Rejection of their Petition — They return to Rangoon — Interview with the Native Converts — >Mr. and Mrs. Colman go to Chittagong — Death of Mr. Colman . 86

Chapter IX

More Conversions— -Progress of the work of translating the New Testament — Sickness of Mrs. Judson — Mr. Judson repairs with her to Bengal — Their Return — The Native Converts — The New Viceroy — Moung Ing — Mrs. Judson's 111 Health, and Departure for America — Clouds — Their Dispersion — Arrival of Dr. Price — • Return of Mr. Hough. . . 100

Chapter X

Mr. Judson and Dr. Price visit Ava — Favorable Reception of the Former— Mr. Judson's Interviews with Moung Zah, with the King, and Prince M. — Mr. Judson's Negotiations for a Building Lot — Sufficiently gains the End for which he had visited the Capital, and returns to Rangoon — State of the Mission there. . . . . . . • . . .117

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XI. Page

Mr. Judson returns to Burmah — Mr. and Mrs. Wade accompany Her — Mr. and Mrs. Judson go to Ava — Coldness of their Reception — Formal Removal of the Seat of Government from Amarapura — War with the Bengal Government — Bombardment of Rangoon, and Persecution of the Missionaries there — Messrs. Hough and Wade go to Calcutta. . . .. 129>

' CHAPTER XII.

Movements at Ava, on the Fall of Rangoon — Arrest, Examination, and Discharge of Mr. J udson and Dr. Price — Their Confinement and Sufferings in the Death Prison — Persecution, Trials, and Heroic Conduct of Mrs. Judson. . . . 143

Chapter XIII

Mr. Judson and other Prisoners taken to Oung-pen-la— Cause of then* Removal — Mrs. Judson follows her Husband — Sufferings of the Judson Family — Progress of the English Army up the Irrawaddy — Messrs. Judson and Price taken - from Prison to assist in Xegotiations for Peace — Sickness of Mrs. Judson — War Closes — Dr. Price remains at Ava — His Death — Mr. and Mrs. Judson go to Rangoon. . . . 163

Chapter XIV

Retrospect of the Mission — Mr. and Mrs. Judson remove to Amherst — Mr. Judson goes to Ava, in connection with the English Embassy — Returns to Amherst — Death of Mrs. Judson — Return of Mr. and Mrs. Wade, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Boardman — Death of Mr. Judson's Daughter. . . 176

Chapter XV

Establishment of the Maulmain Mission, by Mr. Boardman — Messrs. Judson and Wade remove thither — Mr. Boardman removes to Tavoy — His Death — Mr. Judson renounces the Title of D. D. — Arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Bennett — Messrs. Judson and Wade visit Rangoon — Mr. Judson proceeds to Frome — His Return to Rangoon. . , 188

XIV

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XVI Pag«*

Labors of Mr. Judson at Rangoon— Removal to Maulmain — Arrival of Messrs. Mason, Kincaid, and Jones — Mr. Jndson travels in the Jungle, and establishes • the Christian Communities of Wadesville, Newville, and Chummerah — Another Tour among the Karens. . . ... ... 205

Chapter XVII

Arrival of Mr. Cutter — Messrs. Kincaid and Cutter visit Ava — Mr. and Mrs. Wade sail for the United States — -Arrival of Messrs. Brown and Webb, and Miss Harrington — Mr. Judson completes the Translation of the Bible — Marries Mrs. Boardman — Return of Mr. and Mrs. Wade with Messrs. Howard, Vinton, Comstock, Dean, and Osgood, and Miss Gardner — Mr. Judson's Labors— -Mr. Malcom's Visit — Growth of the Churches. . . . . / ' . - ". . . 218

Chapter XVIII

Retrospect of Mr. Judson's Career— Review of the Progress of Baptist Missions — Illness of Mr. Judson, Voyage to Calcutta and Return — Maulmain Theological Seminary, and other Schools — Revised Edition of the Burman Bible — Rangoon abandoned by the Missionaries — The Judson Family visit Calcutta and Serampore — Loss of a Member — The Survivors proceed to the Isle France — Return to Maulmain. . . 231

Chapter XIX

Mr. Judson commences a Burman Dictionary— Labors of his Associates — Condition of the Maulmain Mission Churches — Printing — Maulmain Missionary Society —Arrival of Messrs. Binney and Bullard — Baptismal Scene, <fec. — Illness of Mrs. Judson — Mr. Judson decides to visit America. . . 244

Chapter XX

Embarkation of the Judson Family for the United States — Hopes and Fears, and Changes of Plans at the Isle of France —

CONTENTS. XV

Page.

Voyage continued — Mrs. Judson's last Hours — Her Death and Burial at St. Helena — Mr. Judson arrives in Boston — His Reception there — Dr. Sharp's Address — An Incident. 256

Chapter XXI

Mr. Judson at the Meeting of the Convention in 1845 — Dr. Wayland's Address to him — Interesting Scene in the Convention — Mr. Judson's Reception at Richmond — Address of J. B. Jeter — Mr. Judson's Private Character — He marries Miss Chubbuck — Farewell Services in Boston — Mr. Judson's Address. . . . . . - . . fffiS

Chapter XXII

Mr. and Mrs. Judson embark for Burniak — Messrs. Beecher and Hams, and Miss Lilly bridge accompany them — Changes at Maulmain — -Growth, of the Churches there — Mr. and Mrs. Judson repair to Rangoon — State of Civil and Religious Matters in Burmah Proper — Return to Maulmain — Arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Moore — Newton and Maulmain Stations. . . 294

Chapter XXIII

Christian Reciprocity — Mr. Judson proposes to visit Ava — Temporary Abandonment of the Project — Failure of Mr. Abbott to re-enter Burmah Proper — Messrs. Kincaid and Dawson appointed to the Ava Mission — Latest Intelligence from them — The Burman Dictionary 309

Chapter XXIV

Mr. Judson's last Illness — Fruitless Efforts for his Restoration — Beautiful Decline of a Life of Faith — Mr. Judson embarks for the Isle of Bourbon — Mr. Ranney accompanies him — Last Moments of Mr. Judson — His Death and Burial. . . 321

OUTLINE

OF THE

LIFE AND MISSIONARY LABORS

OF

REV. ADONIRAM JUDSON.