Judson, Adoniram, 1788-1850; Missionaries -- Burma -- Biography; Missionaries -- United States -- Biography
“We feel that our obligations to General Campbell can never be
cancelled. Our final release from Ava, and our recovering all the
property that had there been taken, was owing entirely to his efforts.
His subsequent hospitality, and kind attention to the accommodations
for our passage to Rangoon, have left an impression on our minds which
can never be effaced. We daily received the congratulation of the
British officers, whose conduct toward us formed a striking contrast
to that of the Burmese. I presume to say that no persons on earth were
ever happier than we were during the fortnight we passed at the
English camp. For several days this single idea wholly occupied my
mind—that we were out of the power of the Burmese Government, and once
more under the protection of the English. Our feelings continually
dictated expressions like this: _What shall we render to the Lord for
all His benefits toward us?_
“The treaty of peace was soon concluded, signed by both parties, and a
termination of hostilities publicly declared. We left Yandabo after a
fortnight’s residence, and safely reached the mission-house in Rangoon
after an absence of two years and three months.
“A review of our trip to and adventures in Ava often excites the
inquiry, Why were we permitted to go? What good has been effected? Why
did I not listen to the advice of friends in Bengal, and remain there
till the war was concluded? But all that we can say is, _It is not in
man that walketh to direct his steps_. So far as my going round to
Rangoon, at the time I did, was instrumental in bringing those heavy
afflictions upon us, I can only state that, if I ever acted from a
sense of duty in my life, it was at that time; for my conscience would
not allow me any peace when I thought of sending for your brother to
come to Calcutta, in prospect of the approaching war. Our society at
home have lost no property in consequence of our difficulties; but two
years of precious time have been lost to the mission, unless some
future advantage may be gained in consequence of the severe discipline
to which we ourselves have been subject. We are sometimes induced to
think that the lesson we found so very hard to learn will have a
beneficial effect through our lives, and that the mission may, in the
end, be advanced rather than retarded.
“We should have had no hesitation about remaining in Ava if no part of
the Burmese empire had been ceded to the British. But as it was, we
felt it would be an unnecessary exposure, besides the missionary field
being much more limited in consequence of intoleration. We now
consider our future missionary prospects as bright indeed; and our
only anxiety is to be once more in that situation where our time will
be exclusively devoted to the instruction of the heathen.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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