Judson, Adoniram, 1788-1850; Missionaries -- Burma -- Biography; Missionaries -- United States -- Biography
On June 4th the Judsons arrived in Madras, where they were kindly
received by the English missionaries, Mr. and Mrs. Loveless. But they
knew that they could not remain long, for they were again under the
jurisdiction of the East India Company. Their arrival was at once
reported to the Governor-General, and they feared they would be
immediately transported to England. There was no vessel in the harbor
bound for Pulo Penang, and the only vessel about to sail in that
direction was bound for Rangoon, Burmah. They dreaded to pass from the
protection of the British flag into the power of the Burman despot,
whose tender mercies were cruel. But their only alternative was between
Rangoon and their own dear native land, and they chose the former.
On June 22d they went on board the “crazy old vessel” _Georgianna_.
After a stormy voyage they reached Rangoon July 13th, and took
possession of the English Baptist mission-house, occupied by a son of
Dr. Carey. This young man was temporarily absent, and soon afterward
resigned the mission in their favor, and entered the service of the
Burmese Government.
The horrors of the voyage, and the dreariness of their arrival in this
strange, lawless land, and of their first settlement in the deserted
mission-house at Rangoon, made this the most painful experience through
which they had ever passed. Their only refuge was in Him who has said:
“Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I
have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a
little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come.” They were
sustained by the same faith which, three years before, found beautiful
expression in the words that Judson wrote to his parents:
“O the pleasure which a lively Christian must enjoy in communion with
God! It is all one whether he is in a city or in a desert, among
relations or among savage foes, in the heat of the Indies or in the
ice of Greenland; his infinite Friend is always at hand. He need not
fear want, or sickness, or pain, for his best Friend does all things
well. He need not fear death, though he come in the most shocking
form, for death is only a withdrawing of the veil which conceals his
dearest Friend.”
It is related that the old English missionary, St. Cuthbert, was driven
by a snow-storm upon the coast of Fife. His companions repined. “The
snow closes the road along the shore; the storm bars our way over the
sea.” “But,” Cuthbert said, “there is still the way of heaven that lies
open.”
But Mr. and Mrs. Judson can best describe their first taste of life in
Burmah.
_Extract from a letter by Mrs. Judson to her parents and sisters._
“RANGOON, _July_ 30, 1813.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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