VOYAGE TO BURMAH.
1812-1813.
After the shores of America had faded from their eyes, almost four
months elapsed before Mr. Judson and his missionary associates caught
sight of land. They made the long trip around the Cape of Good Hope, and
at last descried the towering mountains of Golconda. Now that the Suez
Canal has been opened, and a railroad track laid across our continent,
the way to India is much shorter. The modern missionary goes either
through the Mediterranean Sea or by the way of San Francisco and
Yokohama, the voyage consuming only about two months.
While taking the long voyage from America to India, Mr. Judson changed
his denominational latitude and longitude as well. He was a
Congregational minister; his parents were Congregationalists; and he had
been sent out by a Congregational Board. All his sympathies and
affections were bound up with the life of that great denominational
body. On his way to Burmah, however, he became a Baptist. His attention
was at this time especially drawn to the distinctive views of the
Baptists by the fact that he was now about to found a new Christian
society among the heathen. When the adult heathen accepted Christ by
faith and love, he should of course be baptized, and thus formally
initiated into the Christian Church. But ought the children also to be
baptized upon the strength of the parent’s faith? This was a practical
question.
Again, Mr. Judson expected to meet in India the eminent English Baptist
missionaries, Carey, Marshman, and Ward. In the immediate neighborhood
of these men, he proposed to institute a Congregational form of church
life, and he would, of course, have to explain to the natives these
denominational differences. His mind was cast in a scholarly and
argumentative mould. Controversy might possibly arise between himself
and the Baptist missionaries. He thought it best, while he was on the
ocean, to arm himself beforehand for the encounter with these formidable
champions, in order successfully to maintain the Pedobaptist position.
In the enforced seclusion of a long sea voyage, he had plenty of time
for thought and study on this important subject. The result of his
searching investigation was the conclusion, reluctantly formed, that he
was wrong and that the Baptists were right. Of course they held many
fundamental doctrines in common with Christians of all other evangelical
denominations; but there were two distinctive tenets, that faith should
always precede baptism, and that baptism is immersion. He was convinced
that in these views they had the Bible on their side.
It was only after a great struggle that he yielded; for he had to break
with all the traditions and associations of his ancestry and childhood.
He pictured to himself the grief and disappointment of his Christian
friends in America, especially of his venerable parents. He saw that he
would be separated from those young students, the boon companions with
whom he had originated this great scheme of American Foreign Missions.
In their discussions, his wife always took the Pedobaptist side. He knew
that he and she might find themselves without bread in a strange heathen
land. For who could expect the American Board to sustain a Baptist
missionary, even if he could, on his part, obey their instructions? He
could have little hope that the Baptists of America, feeble, scattered,
and despised, would be equal to the great undertaking of supporting an
expensive mission in distant India. Ah, what long, anxious conversations
must he and his wife have had together in their little cabin on the brig
_Caravan_!
The question may have arisen in his mind, Are these doctrines so
important after all? Can I not cherish them in secret, and still remain
identified with the religious body that I so much love and honor? No;
because if individual faith is the prerequisite of baptism, what
scriptural authority would he have for baptizing the unconscious infant?
If baptism is a symbol, then of course the form is all-important. If
faith must precede baptism, and if immersion is essential to baptism,
then he had never been baptized at all. He knew that baptism had been
expressly commanded by our blessed Lord, and that alone was sufficient
to necessitate obedience. Prompt and straightforward obedience to Christ
was the keynote of his life. His was too positive a character to try to
effect a compromise between conviction and action. He had one of those
great natures that can not afford to move along with the crowd. Traces
of this intense inward conflict may be seen in the following extracts
from Mrs. Judson’s letters:
_To a Friend._
“_September 7, 1812._
“Can you, my dear Nancy, still love me, still desire to hear from me,
when I tell you I have become a Baptist? If I judge from my own
feelings, I answer you will, and that my differing from you in those
things which do not affect our salvation will not diminish your
affection for me, or make you unconcerned for my welfare. You may,
perhaps, think this change very sudden, as I have said nothing of it
before; but, my dear girl, this alteration hath not been the work of
an hour, a day, or a month. The subject has been maturely, candidly,
and, I hope, prayerfully examined for months.
“An examination of the subject of baptism commenced on board the
_Caravan_. As Mr. Judson was continuing the translation of the New
Testament, which he began in America, he had many doubts respecting
the meaning of the word _baptize_. This, with the idea of meeting the
Baptists at Serampore, when he would wish to defend his own
sentiments, induced a more thorough examination of the foundation of
the Pedobaptist system. The more he examined, the more his doubts
increased; and, unwilling as he was to admit it, he was _afraid_ the
Baptists were right and he wrong. After we arrived at Calcutta, his
attention was turned from this subject to the concerns of the mission,
and the difficulties with Government. But as his mind was still
uneasy, he again renewed the subject. I felt afraid he would become a
Baptist, and frequently urged the unhappy consequences if he should.
But he said his duty compelled him to satisfy his own mind, and
embrace those sentiments which appeared most concordant with
Scripture. I always took the Pedobaptist side in reasoning with him,
even after I was as doubtful of the truth of their system as he. We
left Serampore to reside in Calcutta a week or two, before the arrival
of our brethren; and as we had nothing in particular to occupy our
attention, we confined it exclusively to this subject. We procured the
best authors on both sides, compared them with the Scriptures,
examined and re-examined the sentiments of Baptists and Pedobaptists,
and were finally compelled, from a conviction of truth, to embrace
those of the former. Thus, my dear Nancy, we are confirmed Baptists,
not because we wished to be, but because truth compelled us to be. We
have endeavored to count the cost, and be prepared for the many severe
trials resulting from this change of sentiment. We anticipate the loss
of reputation, and of the affection and esteem of many of our American
friends. But the most trying circumstance attending this change, and
that which has caused most pain, is the separation which must take
place between us and our dear missionary associates. Although we are
attached to each other, and should doubtless live very happily
together, yet the brethren do not think it best we should unite in one
mission. These things, my dear Nancy, have caused us to weep and pour
out our hearts in prayer to Him whose directions we so much wish and
need. We feel that we are alone in the world, with no real friend but
each other, no one on whom we can depend but God.”
_Mrs. Judson to her Parents._
“ISLE OF FRANCE, PORT LOUIS, _February_ 14, 1813.
“I will now, my dear parents and sisters, give you some account of our
change of sentiment, relative to the subject of baptism. Mr. Judson’s
doubts commenced on our passage from America. While translating the
New Testament, in which he was engaged, he used frequently to say that
the Baptists were right in their mode of administering the ordinance.
Knowing he should meet the Baptists at Serampore, he felt it important
to attend to it more closely, to be able to defend his sentiments.
After our arrival at Serampore, his mind for two or three weeks was so
much taken up with missionary inquiries and our difficulties with
Government, as to prevent his attending to the subject of baptism. But
as we were waiting the arrival of our brethren, and having nothing in
particular to attend to, he again took up the subject. I tried to have
him give it up, and rest satisfied in his old sentiments, and
frequently told him, if he became a Baptist, _I would not_. He,
however, said he felt it his duty to examine closely a subject on
which he had so many doubts. After we removed to Calcutta, he found in
the library in our chamber many books on both sides, which he
determined to read candidly and prayerfully, and to hold fast, or
embrace the truth, however mortifying, however great the sacrifice. I
now commenced reading on the subject, with all my prejudices on the
Pedobaptist side. We had with us Dr. Worcester’s, Dr. Austin’s, Peter
Edwards’s, and other Pedobaptist writings. But after closely examining
the subject for several weeks, we were constrained to acknowledge that
the truth appeared to lie on the Baptists’ side. It was extremely
trying to reflect on the consequences of our becoming Baptists. We
knew it would wound and grieve our dear Christian friends in
America—that we should lose their approbation and esteem. We thought
it probable the commissioners would refuse to support us; and, what
was more distressing than anything, we knew we must be separated from
our missionary associates, and go alone to some heathen land. These
things were very trying to us, and caused our hearts to bleed for
anguish. We felt we had no home in this world, and no friend but each
other. Our friends at Serampore were extremely surprised when we wrote
them a letter requesting baptism, as they had known nothing of our
having had any doubts on the subject. We were baptized on the 6th of
September, in the Baptist chapel in Calcutta. Mr. J. preached a sermon
at Calcutta, on this subject, soon after we were baptized, which, in
compliance with the request of a number who heard it, he has been
preparing for the press. Brother Rice was baptized several weeks after
we were. It was a very great relief to our minds to have him join us,
as we expected to be entirely alone in a mission.”
The four missionaries arrived in Calcutta on June 17th, and were warmly
welcomed by Dr. Carey.
They were invited to visit the settlement of English Baptists at
Serampore, a town about twelve miles from Calcutta, up the Hugh River.
Here they awaited the arrival of the other group of American
missionaries, Mr. and Mrs. Nott, and Messrs. Hall and Rice, who had
sailed from Philadelphia in the ship _Harmony_, and who did not arrive
until August 8th. In a note to the Rev. Dr. Baldwin, an influential
Baptist minister, of Boston, Mr. Judson discloses his change of
denominational views:
“CALCUTTA, _August_ 31, 1812.
“REV. AND DEAR SIR: I write you a line to express my grateful
acknowledgments to you for the advantage I have derived from your
publications on baptism; particularly from your ‘Series of Letters’;
also to introduce the following copy of a letter which I forwarded
last week to the Baptist missionaries at Serampore, and which you are
at liberty to use as you think best.
“I am, sir, with much affection and respect,
“Your obliged friend and servant,
“ADONIRAM JUDSON, JR.”
“CALCUTTA, _August_ 27, 1812.
“TO THE REV. MESSRS. CAREY, MARSHMAN, AND WARD.
“As you have been ignorant of the late exercises of my mind on the
subject of baptism, the communication which I am about to make may
occasion you some surprise.
“It is now about four months since I took the subject into serious and
prayerful consideration. My inquiries commenced during my passage from
America, and after much laborious research and painful trial, which I
shall not now detail, have issued in entire conviction, that _the
immersion of a professing believer is the only Christian baptism_.
“In these exercises I have not been alone. Mrs. Judson has been
engaged in a similar examination, and has come to the same conclusion.
Feeling, therefore, that we are in an unbaptized state, we wish to
profess our faith in Christ by being baptized in obedience to His
sacred commands.
“ADONIRAM JUDSON, JR.”
He also sent a letter to the American Board, in which he breaks to them
the startling news that he is to cease to be their missionary:
“REV. AND DEAR SIR: My change of sentiments on the subject of baptism
is considered by my missionary brethren as incompatible with my
continuing their fellow-laborer in the mission which they contemplate
on the Island of Madagascar; and it will, I presume, be considered by
the Board of Commissioners as equally incompatible with my continuing
their missionary. The Board will, undoubtedly, feel as unwilling to
support a Baptist missionary as I feel to comply with their
instructions, which particularly direct us to baptize ‘_credible
believers with their households_.’
“The dissolution of my connection with the Board of Commissioners, and
a separation from my dear missionary brethren, I consider most
distressing consequences of my late change of sentiments, and, indeed,
the most distressing events which have ever befallen me. I have now
the prospect before me of going alone to some distant island,
unconnected with any society at present existing, from which I might
be furnished with assistant laborers or pecuniary support. Whether the
Baptist churches in America will compassionate my situation, I know
not. I hope, therefore, that while my friends condemn what they deem a
departure from the truth, they will at least pity me and pray for me.
“With the same sentiments of affection and respect as ever,
“I am, sir, your friend and servant,
“ADONIRAM JUDSON, JR.
“Rev. Dr. Worcester, Corresponding Secretary of the American Board of
Commissioners for Foreign Missions.”
At the same time he wrote a second letter to Dr. Baldwin, in which he
announced his change of views on the subject of Baptism, and added:
“Should there be formed a Baptist Society for the support of a mission
in these parts, _I shall be ready to consider myself their missionary_!”
A letter written at the same time to Rev. Dr. Bolles, of Salem, Mass.,
points in the same direction:
“CALCUTTA, _September_ 1, 1812.
“REV. SIR: I recollect that, during a short interview I had with you
in Salem, I suggested the formation of a society among the Baptists in
America for the support of foreign missions, in imitation of the
exertions of your English brethren. Little did I then expect to be
personally concerned in such an attempt.
“Within a few months, I have experienced an entire change of
sentiments on the subject of baptism. My doubts concerning the
correctness of my former system of belief commenced during my passage
from America to this country; and after many painful trials, which
none can know but those who are taught to relinquish a system in which
they had been educated, I settled down in the full persuasion that the
immersion of a professing believer in Christ is the only Christian
baptism.
“Mrs. Judson is united with me in this persuasion. We have signified
our views and wishes to the Baptist missionaries at Serampore, and
expect to be baptized in this city next Lord’s day.
“A separation from my missionary brethren, and a dissolution of my
connection with the Board of Commissioners, seem to be necessary
consequences. The missionaries at Serampore are exerted to the utmost
of their ability in managing and supporting their extensive and
complicated mission.
“Under these circumstances I look to you. Alone, in this foreign
heathen land, I make my appeal to those whom, with their permission, I
will call _my Baptist brethren_ in the United States.
“With the advice of the brethren at Serampore, I am contemplating a
mission on one of the eastern islands. They have lately sent their
brother Chater to Ceylon, and their brother Robinson to Java. At
present, Amboyna seems to present the most favorable opening. Fifty
thousand souls are there perishing without the means of life; and the
situation of the island is such that a mission there established
might, with the blessing of God, be extended to the neighboring
islands in those seas.
“But should I go thither, it is a most painful reflection that I must
go alone, and also uncertain of the means of support. But I will trust
in God. He has frequently enabled me to praise His divine goodness,
and will never forsake those who put their trust in Him. I am, dear
sir,
“Yours, in the Lord Jesus,
“ADONIRAM JUDSON, JR.”
On September 6th, Mr. and Mrs. Judson were baptized in Calcutta by the
Rev. Mr. Ward, and, on the first of November, Mr. Rice, one of his
missionary associates, who, though sailing on a different vessel, had
experienced a similar change of sentiment, was also baptized. “Mr. Rice
was thought,” Dr. Carey says, “to be the most obstinate friend of
Pedobaptism of any of the missionaries.”
But becoming a Baptist was only the beginning of troubles for these
missionaries. India was ruled by the East India Company, which was
opposed to the introduction of missionaries, especially of Americans—for
England and America were not at that time on friendly terms. Besides,
the English feared that the natives of India, finding themselves beset
by the missionaries of a foreign religion, and their own sacred
institutions undermined, would rise against the whole English race, and
a war ensue which would be rendered more intense by the spirit of
religious fanaticism. The Oriental meekly submits to oppression, except
when religious questions are involved; it was the greased cartridge
which brought on the Sepoy rebellion. The English authorities feared, as
was once stated in the House of Lords, “that every missionary would have
to be backed by a gun-boat.” There might arise endless complications,
and they determined to nip the danger in the bud.
Mr. and Mrs. Judson and Mr. Rice were peremptorily ordered to repair
from Serampore to Calcutta. When they appeared at the Government House
they were told that they must return at once to America. They asked
leave to settle in some other part of India, but this was refused. They
then asked if they could go to the Isle of France (Mauritius). This
request was granted; but the only ship sailing at that time for that
point could convey but two passengers, and, by common consent, Mr. and
Mrs. Newell embarked. Mr. and Mrs. Judson and Mr. Rice remained behind
for another vessel. After two months, they received an order to go on
board one of the Company’s vessels, bound for England, and their names
were even printed in the official list of passengers. But a vessel,
named the _Creole_, was just about to sail for the Isle of France. They
applied to the Government for a passport. This was refused. Then they
asked the captain if he would take them without a passport. He said,
good-naturedly, “There was his ship; they could go on board if they
pleased.” They immediately embarked under cover of the night. But while
sailing down the Hugli River from Calcutta to the sea, they were
overtaken by a Government dispatch. The pilot was forbidden to go
farther, as there were persons on board who had been ordered to England.
They were put ashore on the bank of the river, and took shelter at a
little tavern, while the vessel continued her course down the river
without them.
After three or four days, however, a letter came from Calcutta,
containing the much-desired passport to sail on the _Creole_. Who
procured the passport, has always remained a mystery. But now they had
every reason to suppose that the vessel had got out to sea. She might,
however, be anchored at Saugur, seventy miles below. With all haste they
put their baggage in a boat, and sped down the river. They had to row
against the tide, but arrived at Saugur before the evening of the next
day, and had the happiness of finding the vessel at anchor. “I never
enjoyed,” says Mrs. Judson, “a sweeter moment in my life, than that when
I was sure we were in sight of the _Creole_!” After a voyage of six
weeks they arrived in Port Louis, on the Isle of France, January 17,
1813.
The Isle of France, or Mauritius,[6] lies in the Indian Ocean, 480 miles
east of Madagascar. It is about 36 miles long and 32 wide. It had, only
a few years before, been wrested from the French by the English. During
the wars between the French and English it had furnished harborage for
the French privateers, which, sallying forth from its ports, attacked
the richly-freighted English merchantmen on their way from India.
The Isle of France, the scene of St. Pierre’s pathetic tale of “Paul and
Virginia,” was to our missionaries also, who took refuge here, a place
of sorrow. They learned of a death which rivals in pathos the fate of
Virginia. Mrs. Harriet Newell, the first American martyr to Foreign
Missions, had only just survived the tempestuous voyage from Calcutta,
and had been laid in the “heathy ground” of Mauritius: one who “for the
love of Christ and immortal souls, left the bosom of her friends, and
found an early grave in a land of strangers.” She never repented leaving
her native country. When informed by her physician of her approaching
death, she lifted up her hands in triumph, and exclaimed: “Oh, glorious
intelligence!”[7]
What a sense of desolation must have crept over the little band of
missionaries, now that death had so early broken into their ranks! On
February 24th Mr. Newell embarked for Ceylon, and on the 15th of March
Mr. Rice sailed for America, in order to preach a missionary crusade
among the Baptist churches there; and thus Mr. and Mrs. Judson were left
alone. They were obliged to remain about four months on the Isle of
France; and while much of their time was spent in self-sacrificing
labors among the English soldiers that formed the garrison of the
island, the missionaries still longed to reach their final destination.
Mrs. Judson writes: “Oh, when will my wanderings terminate? When shall I
find some little spot that I can call my own?” Her mother’s ominous
words, uttered long ago, were coming true. She was, indeed, having her
fill of “rambling.” They had left America nearly fifteen months before,
and yet after all their journeyings they seemed no nearer a field of
labor than when they first set out. Their destination was still a
mirage—an ever-dissolving view.
They decided to make another descent upon the coast of India. On May 7,
1813, they embarked on the ship _Countess of Harcourt_ for Madras,
intending to establish a mission on Pulo Penang, or Prince of Wales
Island, lying in the Straits of Malacca. It was a little island, of
commodious harbors and salubrious climate, which had recently been
purchased by the English, and the small native population of Malays was
being rapidly increased by emigration from Hindostan, Burmah, Siam, and
China.
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.
“We stayed at Madras only a fortnight, when we embarked on board a
Portuguese vessel for this place. I had procured a European
woman-servant to go with us, as it was not thought prudent to go
without one. She went on board two days before us, and when we went on
board she appeared in perfect health. We had but just entered the ship
when she fell on the floor, apparently in a fit. We made every
possible effort to recover her, but she gasped a few times and died.
The exertion I made to recover her, together with the shock my frame
and feelings received at her sudden decease, brought me also near the
gates of death. I indeed thought the time of my departure was at hand,
and that all my toils and perplexities were ended. I had no physician,
no medicine, no attendant but Mr. Judson. Added to this, we were in a
small, dirty vessel, which was kept in continual motion by the
violence of the wind and sea. Perfect ease and quiet seemed absolutely
necessary for my recovery; but these it appeared impossible to obtain.
But all things are possible with God; and we were never so sensible of
His care and protection as at this time.
“In the midst of our darkness and distress, and when we had given up
all hope of my recovery, our captain informed us that we were close to
the Andaman Islands, and that we could escape being driven on them in
no way but by going through a narrow channel between two of them. We
were in much danger, but the vessel was almost perfectly still, as we
were in smooth water as soon as we entered the channel, the wind being
broken by the islands. Thus I obtained that ease and quiet which a few
moments before seemed impossible to obtain. We were three weeks on our
passage, and when we arrived I was not able to walk, nor had I even
left my bed for half an hour.... We felt very gloomy and dejected the
first night we arrived, in view of our prospects; but we were enabled
to lean on God, and to feel that He was able to support us under the
most discouraging circumstances. The next morning I prepared to go on
shore, but hardly knew how I should get to Mr. Carey’s house, as there
was no method of conveyance except a horse, which I was unable to
ride. It was, however, concluded that I should be carried in an
arm-chair; consequently, when I landed, one was provided, through
which were put two bamboos, and four of the natives took me on their
shoulders. When they had carried me a little way into the town, they
set me down under a shade, when great numbers of the natives gathered
around, as they had seldom seen an English female. Being sick and
weak, I held my head down, which induced many of the native females to
come very near and look under my bonnet. At this I looked up and
smiled, at which they set up a loud laugh. They again took me up to
carry, and the multitude of natives gave a shout, which much diverted
us. They next carried me to a place they call the custom-house. It was
a small open shed, in which were seated on mats several natives, who
were the custom-house officers. After searching Mr. Judson very
closely, they asked liberty for a native female to search me, to which
I readily consented. I was then brought to the mission-house, where I
have entirely recovered my health.... The country presents a rich,
beautiful appearance, everywhere covered with vegetation, and, if
cultivated, would be one of the finest in the world. But the poor
natives have no inducement to labor to raise anything, as it would
probably be taken from them by their oppressive rulers. Many of them
live on leaves and vegetables that grow spontaneously, and some
actually die with hunger. Everything is extremely high, therefore many
are induced to steal whatever comes in their way. There are constant
robberies and murders committed. Scarcely a night passes but houses
are broken open and things stolen. Yet our trust and confidence are in
our heavenly Father, who can easily preserve and protect us though a
host should encamp about us. I think God has taught us by experience
what it is to trust in Him, and find comfort and peace in feeling that
He is everywhere present. O for more ardent, supreme love to Him, and
greater willingness to suffer in His cause!”
_Extract from a letter by Mr. Judson._
“After a mournful separation from brother Rice, at the Isle of France,
in March, 1813, we remained there about two months, waiting for a
passage to some of the eastern islands, not venturing at that time to
think a mission to Burmah practicable. But there being no prospect of
accomplishing our wishes directly, we concluded to take passage to
Madras, and proceed thence as circumstances should direct. We arrived
there in June, and were immediately informed of the renewed
hostilities of the company’s government toward missionaries, exhibited
in their treatment of the brethren both at Serampore and Bombay. We
were, of course, reported to the police, and an account of our arrival
forwarded to the supreme government in Bengal. It became, therefore, a
moral certainty that, as soon as an order could be received at Madras,
we should be again arrested, and ordered to England. Our only safety
appeared to consist in escaping from Madras before such order should
arrive. It may easily be conceived with what feelings I inquired the
destination of vessels in the Madras roads. I found none that would
sail in season, but one bound to Rangoon. A mission to Rangoon we had
been accustomed to regard with feelings of horror. But it was now
brought to a point. We must either venture there or be sent to Europe.
All other paths were shut up; and thus situated, though dissuaded by
all our friends at Madras, we commended ourselves to the care of God,
and embarked on the 22d of June. It was a crazy old vessel. The
captain was the only person on board that could speak our language,
and we had no other apartment than what was made by canvas. Our
passage was very tedious. Mrs. Judson was taken dangerously ill, and
continued so until, at one period, I came to experience the awful
sensation which necessarily resulted from the expectation of an
immediate separation from my beloved wife, the only remaining
companion of my wanderings. About the same time, the captain being
unable to make the Nicobar Island, where it was intended to take in a
cargo of cocoa-nuts, we were driven into a dangerous strait, between
the Little and Great Andamans, two savage coasts, where the captain
had never been before, and where, if we had been cast ashore, we
should, according to all accounts, have been killed and eaten by the
natives. But as one evil is sometimes an antidote to another, so it
happened with us. Our being driven into this dangerous but quiet
channel brought immediate relief to the agitated and exhausted frame
of Mrs. Judson, and conduced essentially to her recovery. And in the
event, we were safely conducted over the black rocks which we
sometimes saw in the gulf below, and on the eastern side of the
islands found favorable winds, which gently wafted us forward to
Rangoon. But on arriving here, other trials awaited us.
“We had never before seen a place where European influence had not
contributed to smooth and soften the rough features of uncultivated
nature. The prospect of Rangoon, as we approached, was quite
disheartening. I went on shore just at night, to take a view of the
place, and the mission-house; but so dark, and cheerless, and
unpromising did all things appear, that the evening of that day, after
my return to the ship, we have marked as the most gloomy and
distressing that we ever passed. Instead of rejoicing, as we ought to
have done, in having found a heathen land from which we were not
immediately driven away, such were our weaknesses that we felt we had
no portion left here below, and found consolation only in looking
beyond our pilgrimage, which we tried to flatter ourselves would be
short, to that peaceful region where the wicked cease from troubling
and the weary are at rest. But if ever we commended ourselves
sincerely, and without reserve, to the disposal of our heavenly
Father, it was on this evening. And after some recollection and
prayer, we experienced something of the presence of Him who cleaveth
closer than a brother; something of that peace which our Saviour
bequeathed to His followers—a legacy which we know from this
experience endures when the fleeting pleasures and unsubstantial
riches of the world are passed away. The next day Mrs. Judson was
carried into the town, being unable to walk; and we found a home at
the mission-house, though Mr. Carey was absent at Ava.”
When the tidings reached America that Mr. and Mrs. Judson and Mr. Rice,
Congregational missionaries, sent out by the American Board, had been
immersed at Calcutta, the Baptists throughout the whole land were
thrilled with a glad surprise. God had suddenly placed at the disposal
of the Baptist denomination three fully-equipped missionaries. They were
already in the field, and action must be prompt. Several influential
ministers in Massachusetts met at the house of Dr. Baldwin, in Boston,
and organized the “Baptist Society for Propagating the Gospel in India
and other Foreign Parts.” They also, as well as the American Board,
first turned instinctively toward England for counsel and help. They
proposed to the Baptist Missionary Society in London that Mr. Judson
should be associated with Messrs. Carey, Marshman, and Ward, at
Serampore, and that the Baptists in England and America should
co-operate in the work of foreign missions. This, however, did not seem
wise to the English brethren, and so America was again thrown back upon
her own resources.
Mr. Rice, upon his return to this country, travelled everywhere, telling
the thrilling story of the experiences of these pioneer missionaries.
The greatest enthusiasm was aroused, and missionary societies similar to
the one in Boston sprang up in the Middle and Southern States. In order
to secure concert of action it seemed best that there should be a
general convention, in which all these societies might be represented.
Accordingly, on the 18th of May, 1814, delegates from Baptist churches
and missionary societies throughout the land convened in the First
Baptist church of Philadelphia. These delegates organized a body which
was styled “The General Missionary Convention of the Baptist
Denomination in the United States of America for Foreign Missions.” The
sum of four thousand dollars was put into the treasury, contributed by
the local societies; and it was thought that possibly an annual income
of five thousand two hundred and eighty dollars might be secured. It was
the day of small things. In 1845 the Southern brethren withdrew to form
a society of their own, called “The Southern Convention.” The Northern
organization adopted a new constitution, and assumed the name of “The
American Baptist Missionary Union.” Its receipts for 1880 were about a
quarter of a million of dollars.
Although Mr. Judson’s change in denominational attitude occasioned
considerable irritation at the time, yet good and wise men of all
religious bodies, viewing his conduct from the stand-point of the
present, are agreed that it proved a blessing to the Christian world at
large. It occasioned the formation of a second Missionary Society. There
came to be two great benevolent forces at work, where there was only one
before. What a history-making epoch that was! The action of those
consecrated students at Andover led to the formation of the American
Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, and of the American Baptist
Missionary Union, the one the organ of the Congregationalists, the other
of the Baptists of America. A watershed was upheaved, from which two
beneficent and ever-widening streams flowed forth for the healing of the
nations.
Mr. Judson’s life also marks the beginning of that wonderful growth
which has characterized the Baptist denomination in this country, for in
gathering together and rallying for his support the Baptists awoke to
self-consciousness. They arrived at the epoch, so momentous in the life
either of a society or of an individual, when the infant passes out of a
mere sort of vegetable existence into a consciousness of his being and
power.
“But as he grows he gathers much,
And learns the use of ‘_I_’ and ‘_Me_,’
And finds ‘I am not what I see,
And other than the things I touch.’”
In the history of a social body, as well as of the human infant, the
period of self-consciousness is the beginning of all real power. In 1812
the Baptists of America were a scattered and feeble folk, and lacked
solidarity. There was little or no denominational spirit. The summons to
the foreign field shook them together. A glass of water may be slowly
reduced in temperature even to a point one or two degrees below
freezing, and yet remain uncongealed, provided it be kept perfectly
motionless. If, then, it is slightly jarred it will suddenly turn into
ice. The Baptist denomination of America was in just such a state of
suspense. It needed to be jarred and shaken into solid and enduring
form. Mr. Judson’s words: “_Should there be formed a Baptist society for
the support of a mission in these parts, I should be ready to consider
myself their missionary_,” proved to be the crystallizing touch.
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Footnote 6:
See Map I.
Footnote 7:
For further particulars see “Memoir of Mrs. Harriet Newell,” by Dr.
Leonard Woods.