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.
We have now to relate some distressing events connected with the
mission, which for a time threatened its very existence.
Mr. Judson having decided to commence a course of public preaching to
the natives, thought best to secure the assistance of a native convert
from the province of Arracan, who spoke the Burman language, to assist
him in his first public efforts. He therefore embarked for that
province, leaving Mrs. Judson to continue her efforts with the females
under her instruction; while Mr. and Mrs. Hough were to prosecute the
study of the language. He intended to be gone but three months, but at
the end of that period, when his return was daily expected, a vessel
from Chittagong, the port to which he had sailed, arrived at Rangoon,
bringing the distressing tidings, that neither he, nor the vessel he
sailed in had been heard of at that port. Letters received by Mrs.
Judson from Bengal, also brought similar intelligence.
While the missionaries left in Rangoon were in this state of fearful
alarm and suspense, Mr. Hough received an order to repair instantly to
the Court House with a threat, that "if he did not tell all the truth in
relation to the foreigners, they would write with his heart's blood."
This message spread consternation among the native teachers, domestics
and adherents, some of whom heard that a royal order had arrived for the
banishment of all foreign teachers. Mr. Hough was detained at the
court-house from day to day on the most flimsy pretences, ignorant of
the language, and with no one to intercede with the government in his
behalf, for it was contrary to etiquette for a woman to appear before
the Viceroy, his family being absent. Mrs. Judson being at length
convinced that the petty officers of government were acting in this
matter without authority, and for the purpose of extorting money from
Mr. Hough, with the intrepidity that always marked her character,
"taking her life in her hand", went boldly to the palace with a petition
for his release. The Viceroy immediately granted it, and commanded that
Mr. Hough should receive no further molestation.
To add to the distresses of the missionaries, the cholera now raged
around them with fearful violence and there were rumors of war between
England and Burmah. Six months had passed, and still the fate of Mr.
Judson was a fearful mystery. The English vessels were hastening their
departure from the harbor and soon they would have no means of leaving
the country, whatever might occur. Mrs. Judson writes: "Mr. Hough has
been for some time past desirous to have Mrs. Hough, his children and
myself go to Bengal. But I have ever felt resolved not to make any
movement till I hear from Mr. Judson. Within a few days, however, some
circumstances have occurred which have induced me to make preparations
for a voyage. There is but one remaining ship in the river; and if an
embargo is laid on English ships it will be impossible for Mr. Judson
(if he is yet alive) to return to this place. But the uncertainty of
meeting him in Bengal, and the possibility of his arriving in my
absence, cause me to make preparations with a heavy heart. Sometimes I
feel inclined to remain here, alone, and hazard the consequences. I
should certainly conclude on this step, if any probability existed of
Mr. Judson's return. This mission has never appeared in so low a state
as at the present time. It seems now entirely destroyed, as we all
expect to embark for Bengal in a day or two. Alas! how changed are our
prospects since Mr. Judson left us! How dark, how intricate the
providence that now surrounds us! Yet it becomes us to be still, and
know that he is God who has thus ordered our circumstances."
A fortnight later, she writes: "Alone, my dear friends, in this great
house, ... I take my pen to record the strange vicissitudes through
which I have passed within a few days."
On the 5th of this month, I embarked with Mr. Hough and family for
Bengal, having previously disposed of what I could not take with me....
My disinclination to proceed had increased to such a degree that I was
on the point of giving up the voyage; but my passage was paid, my
baggage on board, and I knew not how to separate myself from the rest of
the mission family. The vessel however was several days in going down
the river; and "before putting out to sea was to be detained a day or
two longer at its mouth." "I immediately resolved on giving up the
voyage and returning to town. Accordingly the captain sent up a boat
with me, and agreed to forward my baggage the next day. I reached town
in the evening,--spent the night at the house of the only remaining
Englishman in the place, and to-day have come out to the mission-house,
to the great joy of all the Burmans left on our premises. Mr. Hough and
his family will proceed, and they kindly and affectionately urge my
return. I know I am surrounded by dangers on every hand, and expect to
see much anxiety and distress: but at present I am tranquil, and intend
to make an effort to pursue my studies as formerly, and leave the event
with God."
Thus did this heroic woman, with that divine "instinct that seems to
guide the noblest natures in great emergencies, decide to return alone
to the mission-house, there to await the return of her husband, or the
confirmation of her worst fears concerning his fate." It was a wonderful
exhibition of courage and constancy; "and gave assurance of all the
distinguished qualities, which at a later period, and amid dangers still
more appalling, shone with such brightness around the character of this
remarkable woman. The event justified her determination; and within a
week after her decision was taken, Mr. Judson arrived at Rangoon, having
been driven from place to place by contrary winds, and having entirely
failed of the object for which he undertook the voyage.
"Mr. and Mrs. Hough, after long delays, reached Bengal, carrying with
them the press and all the implements of the printing-house. Their
removal was subsequently productive of many embarrassments to the
Mission, and seems never to have been fully justified either by Mr.
Judson or the Board of Managers in America."[3]
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 3: Gammell.]