297 – Oct 24 – This Day in Baptist History Past

“Amen-even so, come Lord Jesus’

October 24, 1826 – Ann Hasseltine Judson died in Burma, having been struck down by a violent fever, in the absence of her beloved missionary husband Adoniram. He had left for an extended journey that would consume several months. Writing to Ann’s mother he related, “Our parting was much less painful than many others had been. We had been preserved through so many trials and vicissitudes, that a separation of three or four months, attended no hazards, to either party, seemed a light thing. We parted therefore, with cheerful hearts, confident of a speedy reunion, and indulging fond anticipations of future years of domestic happiness.”

He concluded a later letter with these words: “Where glories shine and pleasures roll, That charm, delight, transport the soul; And every panting wish shall be, Possessed of boundless bliss in thee.” And there my dear mother, we also soon shall be, uniting and participating in the felicities of heaven with her, for whom we now mourn. “Amen-even so, come Lord Jesus.”

We can be thankful that the life and work of Ann Hasseltine Judson was preserved in letters written by her Husband, Adoniram, by Ann herself, and others. She wrote from Rangoon, Sept. 26, 1815: “You doubtless are expecting to hear by this time of the Burmese inquiring what shall they do to be saved, and rejoicing that we have come to tell them how they shall escape eternal misery. Alas, you know not the difficulty of communicating the least truth to the dark mind of a heathen, particularly those heathen who have a concerted notion of their own wisdom and knowledge, and the superior excellence of their religious system.”

Dr. Greg J. Dixon from: This Day in Baptist History Vol. I: Cummins/Thompson, pp. 441-42.

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244 – Sept. 01 – This Day in Baptist History Past

 

She Proved a “Worthy Successor”

 

Sep. 01, 1845 – Sarah Hall Boardman Judson died on a ship in the port of St. Helena. She had embarked with her second husband Adoniram Judson and three children on the previous April 26th, at the request of physicians, with the hope of saving her life, after she contracted a chronic illness. She was the second wife of the renowned missionary to Burma, having married him after her husband George Dana Boardman died after serving faithfully in Burma for 6 years. Rather than leaving the field she stayed on to serve with Rev. and Mrs. Francis Mason. Judson [served eight lonely years on the field since the death of his beloved Ann before Rev. Mason joined them in Holy Matrimony on April 10, 1834. She proved a “worthy successor” and deservedly won his respect and love after 11 blessed years. Though his heart was broken, the veteran missionary sailed on to America for his first furlough in 33 years. Sarah Boardman Judson will ever stand alone as one of the great stalwarts of the 19th century missionary enterprise as she translated the New Testament into the Peguan language, and the ‘Pilgram’s Progress’ into Burmese. [Arabella W. Stuart, Lives of the Three Mrs. Judsons (New York: Lee and Shephard, 1855), pp. 194-95. This Day in Baptist History II: Cummins and Thompson, BJU Press: Greenville, S.C. 2000 A.D. 478-479.] Prepared by Dr. Greg Dixon

 

 

 

323 – Nov. 19 – THIS DAY IN BAPTIST HISTORY PAST

“I must protest against the abandonment of the Arakan mission.”

November 19, 1845 – Adoniram Judson, was a messenger to the Triennial Convention. It was a dark day, for the Baptists of the South had withdrawn, and it was apparent that a reduction in the budget would be necessary. A solemn report was read by Dr. Solomon Peck, foreign secretary. One of the suggestions was that they abandon the Arakan mission. The Convention was being asked to sound “retreat!” Judson, back in the States after 33 years of missionary service was listening to a report that would close part of their work in Burma. It is not difficult to surmise what must have been going through his mind. After becoming a Baptist by conviction the Judson’s waited 3 years before being appointed as missionaries of the Triennial Convention. They had waited seven years before the first convert was won, and on June 27, 1819, he finally baptized Moung Nau. In 1815 their little 7 month old son died. Then Ann Judson became ill and had to return to America for two years, and Adoniram persevered alone. The first Burman War broke out in May of 1824. In June, Judson was cast into the death prison. The sufferings were indescribable. After 11 months in Ava, he endured 6 more months of imprisonment in Oungpenla. While he was helping the Burmese to secure terms of peace with the British, Ann Judson died on Oct. 24, 1826. Then 6 months later, Judson’s little daughter Maria followed her mother in death. Judson became almost a recluse. He dug his own grave and sat beside it brooding. 8 years later he married Mrs. Sarah Boardman. They had two daughters and a son, and the little boy died. And then Sarah died en route home. Judson had lost his voice and was forbidden to speak. But now he could no longer remain silent. He arose and the lion roared. “I must protest against the abandonment of the Arakan mission.” And the “Lone Star” was saved.

Dr. Greg J. Dixon from: This Day in Baptist History Vol. I: Cummins /Thompson/, pp. 482-83.