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LIVES
OF THE
THREE MRS. JUDSONS:
_MRS. ANN H. JUDSON_,
_MRS. SARAH B. JUDSON_,
_MRS. EMILY C. JUDSON_,
MISSIONARIES TO BURMAH.
BY
ARABELLA W. STUART,
(MRS. ARABELLA M. WILLSON.)
A self-denying band, who counted not
Life dear unto them, so they might fulfil
Their ministry, and save the heathen soul.
BOSTON: LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS.
NEW YORK: CHARLES T. DILLINGHAM.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight
hundred and fifty-five,
By Miller, Orton & Mulligan,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Northern District of
New York.
[Illustration: Mrs. Ann H. Judson.]
[Illustration: Mrs. Emily C. Judson.]
PREFACE.
Among the many benefits which modern missions have conferred on the
world, not the least, perhaps, is the field they have afforded for the
development of the highest excellence of female character. The limited
range of avocations allotted to woman, and her consequent inability to
gain an elevated rank in the higher walks of life, has been a theme of
complaint with many modern reformers, especially with the party who are
loud in their advocacy of woman's rights. That few of the sex have risen
to eminence in any path but that of literature, is too well known to
admit of denial, and might be proved by the scantiness of _female_
biography. How few of the memoirs and biographical sketches which load
the shelves of our libraries, record the lives of women!
The missionary enterprise opens to woman a sphere of activity,
usefulness and distinction, not, under the present constitution of
society, to be found elsewhere. Here she may exhibit whatever she
possesses of skill in the mastery of unknown and difficult dialects; of
tact in dealing with the varieties of human character; of ardor and
perseverance in the pursuit of a noble end under the most trying
discouragements; and of exalted Christian heroism and fortitude, that
braves appalling dangers, and even death in its most dreadful forms, in
its affectionate devotion to earthly friends, and the service of a
Heavenly Master. Compared with the true independence, the noble energy,
the almost superhuman intrepidity of the Mrs. Judsons, how weak and
despicable seem the struggles of many misguided women in our day, who
seek to gain a reluctant acknowledgment of equality with the other sex,
by a noisy assertion of their rights, and in some instances, by an
imitation of their attire! Who would not turn from a female advocate at
the bar, or judge upon the bench, surrounded by the usual scenes of a
court-house, even if she filled these offices with ability and talent,
to render honor rather to her, who laying on the altar of sacrifice
whatever of genius, or acquirement, or loveliness she may possess, goes
forth to cheer and to share the labors and cares of the husband of her
youth, in his errand of love to the heathen?
And it seems peculiarly appropriate that woman, who doubtless owes to
Christianity most of the domestic consideration and social advantages,
which in enlightened countries she regards as her birthright, should be
the bearer of these blessings to her less favored sisters in heathen
lands. If the Christian religion was a Gospel to the _poor_, it
was no less emphatically so to woman, whom it redeemed from social
inferiority and degradation, the fruit for ages of that transgression
which "brought death into the world, and all our wo." Never until on the
morning of the resurrection "she came early unto the sepulchre," was she
made one in Christ Jesus (in whom "there is neither in male nor female")
with him who had hitherto been her superior and her master. Nor does she
seem _then_ to have misunderstood her high mission, or to have been
wanting to it. The 'sisters' in the infant churches rivalled the
brethren in attachment and fidelity to the cause, and to their
"ministry" the new religion was indebted in no small degree for its
unparalleled success.
Perhaps an apology may be deemed necessary for _another_ memoir of the
distinguished females whose names adorn our title-page. With regard to
the _first_ Mrs. Judson, it has been thought that a simple narrative of
her life, unencumbered with details of the history of the mission, would
be more attractive to youthful readers than the excellent biography by
Mr. Knowles. Of the _second_, though we cannot hope or wish to rival the
graceful and spirited sketch by Fanny Forrester, still it is believed
that a plain, unembellished story of a life which was in itself so
exceedingly interesting, may also find favor with the public.
As to the last of these three Christian heroines who has so lately
departed from among us, as full a sketch as practicable is given, from a
wish to embalm in one urn--perhaps a fragile one--the memories of _all_
those whose virtues and affections have contributed so largely to the
happiness and usefulness of one of the noblest and most successful of
modern missionaries--the Rev. Adoniram Judson.
The approval of several of the friends of the subjects of these memoirs,
has encouraged us in our undertaking, and it is our sincere desire that
the manner of its execution may be found acceptable, not only to them,
but to the friends of missions in general. And should the work gain
favor with our youthful readers, especially with female members of
Sunday-schools and Bible-classes, and prompt them to a noble emulation
of so illustrious examples, the author's fondest hopes will be more than
realized.
CONTENTS.
PART I.
THE LIFE OF THE FIRST MRS. JUDSON
CHAPTER I. Page
Mrs. Judson's Birth.--Education and Conversion, 13
CHAPTER II.
Her Marriage and Voyage to India, 21
CHAPTER III.
Her Arrival at Calcutta.--Difficulties with the Bengal
Government.--Voyage to the Isle of France.--Death of Mrs.
Newell.--Change of Sentiments.--Voyage to Rangoon, 28
CHAPTER IV.
Description of Burmah, its boundaries, rivers, climate, soil, fruits
and flowers--Burman People, their dress, houses, food, government
and religion, 37
CHAPTER V.
Rangoon--Letters from Mrs. Judson, 52
CHAPTER VI.
Learning the Language.--Mrs. J. visits the Wife of the Viceroy.--Her
Sickness.--Her Voyage to Madras.--Her Return to Rangoon.--Birth
of a Son, 60
CHAPTER VII.
Difficulty of inculcating the Gospel.--Death of her Son.--Failure
of Mrs. Judson's Health.--Arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Hough at
Rangoon, 66
CHAPTER VIII.
Missionary Labors.--Female Intellect in Burmah.--Description of
a Pagoda.--Burman Worship, and Offerings, 74
CHAPTER IX.
Distressing Events.--Mr. Judson's Absence from Rangoon.--Persecution
of Mr. Hough.--His Departure for Bengal.--Mrs. Judson's
heroic Fortitude.--Mr. Judson's Return, 82
CHAPTER X.
Intolerance of the Burman Government.--First Edifice for Christian
Worship erected.--Instruction of Natives.--Conversion of
a Native.--His Baptism.--That of two timid Disciples.--Messrs.
Judson and Colman visit Ava, 91
CHAPTER XI.
Reception of Messrs. Colman and Judson at Ava--Their Return to
Rangoon.--Their Resolution to leave Rangoon.--Opposition of
Disciples to this Measure.--Increase of Disciples.--Their
Steadfastness.--Failure of Mrs. Judson's Health, 95
CHAPTER XII.
Mr. and Mrs. Judson visit Bengal and return.--Mrs. Judson's Health
again fails.--Her Resolution to visit America.--Her Voyage to
England and Visit there, 104
CHAPTER XIII.
Mrs. Judson's Arrival in America.--Influence of her Visit.--Hostile
Opinions.--Her Person and Manners.--Extracts from her Letters, 110
CHAPTER XIV.
Further Extracts from her Letters.--Her Illness.--Her History of
the Burman Mission.--Her Departure from America with Mr.
and Mrs. Wade, 119
CHAPTER XV.
Messrs. Judson and Price visit Ava.--Their Reception at
Court.--Their Return to Rangoon.--Mrs. Judson's Return.--A Letter
to her Parents describing their Removal to Ava.--Description of
Ava, 127
CHAPTER XVI.
War with the British.--Narrative of the Sufferings of the
Missionaries during the War, 131
CHAPTER XVII.
Narrative continued and concluded.--Their deliverance from Burman
Tyranny, and Protection by British Government, 141
CHAPTER XVIII.
Influence of these Disasters on the Missionary
Enterprise.--Testimonials to Mrs. Judson's Heroic Conduct.--Letter
from Mr. Judson.--His Acceptance of the Post of Interpreter to
Crawford's Embassy.--Mrs. Judson's Residence at Amherst.--Her
Illness and Death.--Death of her Infant, 166
* * * * *
PART II.
THE LIFE OF THE SECOND MRS. JUDSON.
CHAPTER I.
Birth and Education.--Poetical Talent, 183
CHAPTER II.
Conversion.--Bias toward a Missionary Life.--Acquaintance with
Boardman, 193
CHAPTER III.
Account of George Dana Boardman, 198
CHAPTER IV.
Marriage of Miss Hall and Mr. Boardman.--They sail for
India--Letter from Mr. B.--Letters from Mrs. B.--Another Letter
from Mr. B., 204
CHAPTER V.
Stationed at Maulmain.--Attack of Banditti.--Missionary
Operations.--Danger from Fire, 222
CHAPTER VI.
Removal to Tavoy.--Idolatry of the People.--Letter from Mrs.
B.--Baptism of a Karen Disciple.--Some Account of the Karens, 230
CHAPTER VII.
Letter from Mrs. B.--Mr. B's. Visit to the Karens in their
Villages.--Defection of Disciples.--Its Effect on Mr. and Mrs. B., 239
CHAPTER VIII.
Death of their First-born.--Letters from Mrs. B., 248
CHAPTER IX.
Revolt of Tavoy.--Letter from Mr. B., 252
CHAPTER X.
Missionary Labors of Mr. Boardman--His ill Health.--Letter from
Mrs. B.--Death of a second Child.--Letters from Mrs. B., 262
CHAPTER XI.
Letter from Mrs. Boardman.--Illness and Death of George Dana
Boardman, 269
CHAPTER XII.
Letters from Mrs. B.--Her Decision to remain in Burmah.--Her
Missionary Labors.--Her Trials.--Schools, 284
CHAPTER XIII.
Correspondence between Mrs. Boardman and the Superintendent.--Her
Tours among the Karens.--Her Personal Appearance.--Her
Acquaintance with the Burman Language.--Dr. Judson's
Translation of the Bible, 296
CHAPTER XIV.
Mrs. Boardman's Second Marriage.--Removal to Maulmain.--Letter
from Mrs. Judson.--Her Son sent to America.--Her Husband's
Illness, 304
CHAPTER XV.
Illness of her Children.--Death of one of them.--Her Missionary
Labors, and Family Cares.--Her Declining Health.--Poem.--Her
last Illness and Death, 311
* * * * *
PART III.
THE LIFE OF THE THIRD MRS. JUDSON.
CHAPTER I.
Remarks on her Genius--Her Early Life.--Conversion.--
Employments--Tales and Poems--Acquaintance with Dr.
Judson.--Marriage.--Voyage to India--Biography of Mrs. S.B.
Judson.--Poem written off St. Helena--Poem on the Birth of an
Infant.--Lines addressed to a Bereaved Friend--Letter to her
Children.--Prayer for dear Papa.--Poem addressed to her
Mother.--Her Account of Dr. Judson's last Illness and Death, 321
CHAPTER II.
Reflections on the Death of Emily C. Judson--The Delicacy of her
Constitution and her Final Malady--Her Sufferings at Rangoon,
and the Good Effect upon her Health of a Removal to
Maulmain--Precarious State of her Health--Her Resignation--Death
of Dr. Judson--Decides to Leave Burmah, and Returns to her
Maternal Home, in Hamilton. N.Y.--Her death--The Traits of her
Character--Domestic Attachments--Her Missionary Life and
Literary Labors, 357
PART I.
LIFE OF MRS. ANN H. JUDSON,
FIRST WIFE OF
REV. ADONIRAM JUDSON, D.D.
CHAPTER I.
MRS. JUDSON'S BIRTH, EDUCATION, AND CONVERSION.
When an individual attains a position of eminence which commands the
admiration of the world, we naturally seek to learn his early history,
to ascertain what indications were given in childhood of qualities
destined to shine with such resplendent lustre, and to discover the kind
of discipline which has developed powers so extraordinary. But in no
researches are we more apt to be baffled than in these. Few children are
so remarkable as to make it worth while, even to a parent, to chronicle
their little sayings and doings; and of infant prodigies--though there
is a superstitious belief that most of them die early, which is
expressed in the adage--
"Whom the Gods love, die young,"
those that live commonly disappoint the hopes of partial friends, who
watched their infancy with wonder and expectation.
There are certain qualities, however, which we shall rarely miss even in
the childhood of those who attain eminence by a wise employment of their
talents and acquirements. These are: firmness of purpose, industry and
application, and an ardent, and sometimes enthusiastic temperament.
These qualities were possessed in no common degree by Ann Hasseltine,
the subject of this memoir. She was born in Bradford, Massachusetts, on
the 22d of December, 1789. In a sketch which she has given of her life,
between twelve and seventeen years of age, we find evidence of an
active, ardent, and social disposition, gay and buoyant spirits,
persevering industry, and great decision of character.
Whatever engaged her attention, whether study or amusement, was pursued
with an ardor that excited the sympathy and love both of her teachers
and schoolfellows. Though little of her writing at this period is
preserved, and the generation that knew her personally is mostly passed
away, yet her whole subsequent career gives evidence of an intellect of
a very high order, carefully cultivated by study and reflection.
She seems scarcely to have been the subject of serious impressions
before her seventeenth year. Until that time she enjoyed the pleasures
of the world with few misgivings and with a keenness of relish which
led her to think herself, as she says, "the happiest creature on earth."
She adds, "I so far surpassed my friends in gayety and mirth, that some
of them were apprehensive I had but a short time to continue in my
career of folly, and should be suddenly cut off. Thus passed the last
winter of my gay life."
During the spring of 1806, she began regularly to attend a series of
conference meetings in Bradford, her native town. She soon felt that the
Spirit of God was operating on her mind. Amusements lost their relish;
she felt that she must have a new heart or perish forever; and she often
sought solitude, that she might, unseen by others, weep over her
deplorable state. Soon, however, her fears that her distress might be
noticed by her companions, were merged in her greater terrors of
conscience, and she "was willing the whole universe should know that she
felt herself to be a lost and perishing sinner." Her distress increased
as she became more and more sensible of the depravity of her heart, and
the holiness and sovereignty of God. Her mind rose in rebellion against
a Being, who after all her prayers and tears and self-denial, still
withheld from her the blessing of pardon and peace. She says, "In this
state I longed for annihilation, and if I could have destroyed the
existence of my soul with as much ease as that of my body, I should
quickly have done it. But that glorious Being who is kinder to his
creatures than they are to themselves, did not leave me to remain in
this distressing state." The plan of salvation through a crucified
Redeemer, gradually unfolded itself before her; she began to take
delight in those attributes of God which before had filled her with
abhorrence; and although she did not at first imagine that this was the
new heart for which she had sought so earnestly, yet she was constrained
to commit all her interests for time and eternity unreservedly to that
Saviour, who now seemed infinitely worthy of the service of her whole
existence.[1]
The change in her from extreme worldliness to a life of piety and prayer
was deep and permanent. Hers was no half-way character. While she was of
the world, she pursued its follies with entire devotion of heart; and
when she once renounced it as unsatisfying, and unworthy of her immortal
aspirations, she renounced it solemnly and finally. Her ardor for
learning did not abate, but instead of being inspired, as formerly by a
thirst for human applause and distinction, it was now prompted by her
sense of responsibility to God for the cultivation of the talents he had
given her, and her desire to make herself increasingly useful. In the
sketch referred to she remarks, "I attended my studies in school with
far different feelings and different motives from what I had ever done
before. I felt my obligation to improve all I had to the glory of God;
and since he in his providence had favored me with advantages for
improving my mind, I felt that I should be like the slothful servant if
I neglected them. I therefore diligently employed all my hours in school
in acquiring useful knowledge, and spent my evenings and part of the
night in spiritual enjoyments." "Such was my thirst for religious
knowledge, that I frequently spent a great part of the night in reading
religious books." A friend says of her: "She thirsted for the knowledge
of gospel truth in all its relations and dependencies. Besides the daily
study of the scripture with Guise, Orton, and Scott before her, she
perused with deep interest the works of Edwards, Hopkins, Belamy,
Doddridge, &c. With Edwards on Redemption, she was instructed,
quickened, strengthened. Well do I remember the elevated smile that
beamed on her countenance when she first spoke to me of its precious
contents. When reading scripture, sermons, or other works, if she met
with anything dark or intricate, she would mark the passage, and beg
the first clergyman who called at her father's to elucidate and explain
it."
How evidently to us, though unconsciously to herself, was her Heavenly
Father thus fitting her for the work he was preparing for her. Had she
known that she was to spend her days in instructing bigoted and captious
idolaters in religious knowledge, she could not have trained herself for
the task more wisely than she was thus led to do.
While, under the guidance of the Spirit of truth, she was thus
cultivating her intellect, that same Spirit was also sanctifying and
purifying her heart. She loathed sin both in herself and others, and
strove to avoid it, not from the fear of hell, but from fear of
displeasing her Father in heaven.
In one place she writes: "Were it left to myself whether to follow the
vanities of the world, and go to heaven at last, or to live a religious
life, have trials with sin and temptation, and sometimes enjoy the light
of God's reconciled countenance, I should not hesitate a moment in
choosing the latter, for there is no real satisfaction in the enjoyments
of time and sense."
On the fourteenth of August, 1806, she made a public profession of
religion, and united with the Congregational church at Bradford, being
in her seventeenth year.
Very early in her religious life she became sensible that if unusual
advantages for acquiring knowledge had fallen to her lot, she was the
more bound to use her talents and acquirements for the benefit of others
less favored than herself. Actuated by such motives, she opened a small
school in her native place, and subsequently taught in several
neighboring villages. Her example in this respect is surely worthy of
imitation. Perhaps no person is more admirable than a young lady fitted
like Miss Hasseltine by a cultivated mind and engaging manners to shine
in society, who having the choice between a life of ease and one of
personal exertion, chooses voluntarily, or only in obedience to the
dictates of conscience, the weary and self-denying path of the teacher.
And probably such a course would oftener be chosen, were young persons
aware of the unquestionable fact, that the school in which we make the
most solid and rapid improvement, is that in which we teach others.
An extract from her journal will sustain what we have said of her
conscientiousness and purity of motive in endeavoring to instruct the
young:
"_May 12, 1809._--Have taken charge of a few scholars. Ever since I have
had a comfortable hope in Christ, I have desired to devote myself to him
in such a way as to be useful to my fellow-creatures. As Providence has
placed me in a situation in life where I have an opportunity of getting
as good an education as I desire, I feel it would be highly criminal in
me not to improve it. I feel, also, that it would be equally criminal to
desire to be well educated and accomplished, from selfish motives, with
a view merely to gratify my taste and relish for improvement, or my
pride in being qualified to shine. I therefore resolved last winter to
attend the academy from no other motive than to improve the talents
bestowed by God, so as to be more extensively devoted to his glory, and
the benefit of my fellow-creatures. On being lately requested to take a
small school for a few months, I felt very unqualified to have the
charge of little immortals; but the hope of doing them good by
endeavoring to impress their young and tender minds with divine truth,
and the obligation I feel _to try to be useful_, have induced me to
comply. I was enabled to open the school with prayer. Though the cross
was very great, I felt constrained by a sense of duty to take it up. O
may I have grace to be faithful in instructing these children in such a
way as shall be pleasing to my heavenly Father."
Such being the principles by which she was actuated in commencing the
work of instruction, we cannot doubt that her efforts _to be useful_
were blessed not only by the temporal, but the spiritual advancement of
her pupils, some of whom may appear, with children from distant Burmah,
as crowns of her rejoicing in the last great day.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 1: She thus describes more particularly the exercises of her
mind, in an entry in her Journal a year later.
"July 6. It is just a year this day since I entertained a hope in
Christ. About this time in the evening, when reflecting on the words of
the lepers, '_If we enter into the city, then the famine is in the city
and we shall die there, and if we sit still here we die also,_'--I felt
that if I returned to the world, I should surely perish; if I stayed
where I then was I should perish; and I could but perish if I threw
myself on the mercy of Christ. Then came light, and relief, and comfort,
such as I never knew before."]