The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1909-04-01
ADONIRAM JUDSON AND HIS co
LABORERS.

Adoniram Judson was born in NAL
den, Mass, August 8, 1888. His
father was a Congregational minis
ter. a man of high ideals and sterl-
ing character. The atmosphere Of the
home was favorable to personal re-
Iigion. At fourteen, during pro-
tracted illness, religion was made a
matter of serious thought with him.
But the spirit of infidelity was sweep
ing over the land. His closest COL
lege friend was confirmed deist.
After brief term of teaching In Ply
mouth, Judson left home, an unbe-
lever. In connection with this event,
occurred one of the
Strange Proyidences
which marked his life. One night he
stopped at a country inn. In an ad-
Joining room lay young man, sick
and dying. Judson could not sleep.
The thought of the young man sick,
dying, and perhaps unprepared, trou-
bIed him During the night the man
died In the morning Judson was
startled to learn that the stranger
was none other than his college
friend A terrible feeling rushed over
him. Deep conviction of sin seized
him. Anxious1y and almost despair
ingly he turned toward home. On
December 2, 1903, he dedicated him
self to God, and in May, 1909, at the
age Of twenty-one, Joined the Third
congregational Church, Plymouth.
During his theological course at
Andover, he came into contact with
kindred spirits,-Samuel Mott, Jr.,
Samuel J. Mills, Jr., James Richarus,
Luther Rice and Gordon Hall. He
made his decision to give his life to
foreign missions. After his marriage
to Ann Hasseltine, February S, 1872,
they embarked on the brig Caravan.
bound for Calcutta. During the long
sea voyage, Judson made a careful
study of New Testament teachings
concerning the church and its ordi-
nances. AS he read and pondeTed,
he became convinced that the Bap-
lists were right in their position that
faith should always precede baptism,
and that baptism Is immersion. He
had the courage of his convictions,
and upon reaching India he and Mrs.
JudsOn were baptized. To all con-
cerned, the Judsons themselves, their
associates in India and their friends
and supporters at home, this was
most trying. Yet the hand of God
was manifestly guiding. When the
news reached America, the Baptists,
then a small and scattered denomi-
nation, were so stirred that on May
10, 1914, they met in Philadelphia
and formed the Baptist Missionary
Union. Thus the second great mis-
sionary society of America came into
existence.
The East India Company was so
hostile to missions that on their ar
rival Judson and his wife were or
dered to return to England. But by
strategy they secured passage in the
Creole, bound for the Isle of France
Three months later they sailed for
Madras, and after arriving found the
East India Company more hostile
than ever. Knowing that as soon as
an order could be received from Ben
gal, they would be arrested and sent
TO England, Judson inquired the des-
tfnation of every ship in the harbor.
The only one that would sail in sea-
son was the Georgiana, bound for
Rangoon. Thus strangely did God
choose their destination for them.
They reached Rangoon, July 10,
1913
Heartrending Sufferings.
The first mission house at Rangoon
was situated a half-mile from the
city, near the place Of public execu-
ton. The refuse of the city streets
was thrown there. They were in con-
stand danger of attack from robbers
and wild beasts. The hot climate
and hardships of their lonely life told
severely upon Mrs. Judson; she was
obliged early in the year 1915 to take
a voyage to Madras. The same year
great sadness came into their home
in the death of their little son. Mr.
Judson himself showed signs of
breaking. For the two-fold purpose
of regaining strength and securing a
native Christian helper, Mr.. Judson
set sail for Chittagong. He expected
to be absent from home only a few
weeks. But the voyage proved a
stormy one. The supply of food ran
short. For three or four weeks the
ships crew and passengers had moth
ing but mouldy broken rice from ma
tive vessels and limited supply of
water. Mr.. Judson was Frustrated by
fever. and when at last he reached
shore he was so emaciated and weak
that he could hardly stand. His alb
sence heightened nearly two-thirds of
a ye@r. Meanwhile, Mrs. Judson
suffered tortures of suspense. There
were threats of persecution, ravages
of cholera, and rumors of war. One
after another the English vessels slir-
ped away until only one remained.
Their co-workers, George H. Hough
and wife, decided to leave before it
was too late, and urged Mrs. Judson
to do likewise. But she refused to