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.
They arrived in Calcutta on the 8th of August, 1820. The voyage was of
no essential benefit to Mrs. J.'s health, neither was her visit to
Calcutta; but at Serampore she so far recovered as to make them desirous
to return to Rangoon, where they arrived on the 5th of January, 1821.
The converts received them with the utmost affection; their old friend
the vicereine again occupied her former palace and welcomed Mrs. Judson
with friendly familiarity, and new inquirers presented themselves at the
zayat. In translating the Scriptures, the acute and fertile mind of
Moung Shwa-gnong was an invaluable assistance, while another convert of
cultivated intellect was equally useful in other missionary labors.
Though through fear of being subjected to extortion, some of them had
been obliged to flee to the woods, not one disciple had disgraced or
dishonored his profession. A violent effort and been made by some of
Moung Shwa-gnong's enemies, to ruin him in the opinion of the viceroy,
by complaining of him that he was making every endeavor "to turn the
priests' rice-pot bottom upwards." "_What consequence?_" said the
viceroy, "_let the priests turn it back again._" All the disciples from
that time felt sure of toleration under Mya-day-men, (the name of the
viceroy.)
The history of the next few months presents nothing novel in the life of
this little Christian community, to which there were however some
accessions. But Mrs. Judson was gradually sinking under the disease
which had so long troubled her, until at length it was found essential
to her _life_ even, that she should seek some more propitious climate.
After much anxious deliberation it was resolved that she should sail for
Bengal, and thence to America. Her feelings on leaving the 'home of her
heart,' and the husband of her youth, as well as the spiritual children
that God had given them in that heathen land--to try alone the perils of
a long and tedious voyage, in a state of health which rendered it
doubtful whether she would ever reach the land of her nativity, or
return to that of her adoption--can scarcely be conceived, much less
described. Her own words are:
"Those only who have been through a variety of toil and privation to
obtain a darling object, can realize how entirely every fibre of the
heart adheres to that object when secured. Had we encountered no
difficulties, and suffered no privations in our attempts to form a
Church of Christ, under the government of a heathen despot, we should
have been warmly attached to the individuals composing it, but should
not have felt that tender solicitude and anxious affection, as in the
present case.
"Rangoon, from having been the theatre in which so much of the power,
faithfulness and mercy of God have been exhibited; from having been
considered for ten years past as my home for life, and from a thousand
interesting associations, had become the dearest spot on earth. Hence
you will readily imagine, that no ordinary consideration would have
induced my departure."
She arrived in Calcutta Sept. 22d, 1821. Finding when she reached there
that the American captains of vessels declined taking passengers,
without an exorbitant price, she decided not to take passage to America.
On mentioning her circumstances to a lady in Calcutta, the latter
strongly recommended the advantages of a voyage to England, on account
of the superior accommodations, medical advice, and female passengers in
English ships. A pious captain offered to take her for about one third
of the price demanded for a voyage to America, provided she would share
a cabin with three children, who were going to England an offer which
she immediately accepted. The father of the children subsequently
arrived in Calcutta, and generously paid the whole price of the cabin,
which enabled her to go without any expense to the Board.
She writes: "If the pain in my side is entirely removed while on my
passage to Europe, I shall return to India in the same ship, and proceed
immediately to Rangoon. But if not I shall go over to America, and spend
one winter in my dear native country.
"Ardently as I desire to see my beloved friends in America, I cannot
prevail on myself to be any longer from Rangoon than is absolutely
necessary for the preservation of my life. I have had a severe struggle
relative to my immediate return to Rangoon instead of going to England.
But I did not venture to go contrary to the convictions of reason, to
the opinion of an eminent and skilful physician, and the repeated
injunctions of Mr. Judson.
"My last letter from Rangoon was dated Oct. 26. Moung Shwa-gnong had
been accused before the viceroy, and had disappeared. Mr. Judson had
felt much anxiety and distress on his account, fearing he had done
something in the way of retraction, which prevented his visiting him.
But in a fortnight he was agreeably surprised at seeing him enter. He
informed Mr. J. that having been accused, he had thought it the wisest
way to keep out of sight; that he had put all his family on board a
boat, and was going up the country among the sect of heretics with whom
he once associated, and had now come to take leave, obtain tracts,
gospels, &c. Mr. Judson furnished him with what was necessary, and bid
him God speed. He will no doubt do much good among that class of people,
for it is impossible for him to be any time with his friends without
conversing on the subject of religion. Moung Ing had returned, as
steadfast and as much devoted to the cause as ever. He and Moung Shwa-ba
spend every evening in reading the Scriptures, and finding the places
where the apostles preached, on a map which Mr. Judson has made for
them. Another Burman has been baptized, who gives decided evidence of
being a true Christian. Have we not, my dear sir, every reason to trust
God in future, when we see what he has done in Rangoon. Could you see at
once the difficulties in the way of the conversion of the Burmans, the
grace of God would appear ten times as conspicuous as it now does. When
we hardly ventured to hope that we should ever see one of them truly
converted, how great is our joy to see a little church rise up in the
midst of that wilderness, consisting of thirteen converted Burmans."
On her passage to England, her old enemy, the liver-complaint, again
attacked her; but bodily illness did not prevent her from endeavoring to
benefit the souls of her fellow-passengers; and with regard to two of
them, her efforts did not seem unsuccessful.
On arriving in England, she was cordially invited by the Hon. Joseph
Butterworth, M.P., to make his house her home. He afterward, at a public
meeting, referred to her visit as "reminding him of the apostolic
admonition, 'Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some
have entertained angels unawares.'"
At his house she met many persons, distinguished for literature and
piety, among whom were Sumner, Babington and Wilberforce.
After spending some time at Cheltenham, to which place she had been sent
for the benefit of its waters, she accepted a pressing invitation to
visit Scotland, where, as in England, she received valuable presents and
innumerable acts of kindness. The piety of her English friends seemed to
her of the most high-toned character, and their ardent friendship called
forth her warmest affections. Though on her way to a still dearer
country, the land of her birth, she could not part with them without the
tenderest regret.