The life of Adoniram Judson — Text and Context

Birth—Precocity—Reverence for his father—Ambition over-stimulated—His sister, Abigail—Playing church—Removal to Wenham—His brother Elnathan—Death of a sister—Childhood reminiscences—“Does the sun move?”—Solving hard enigmas—Proficiency in arithmetic—“Old Virgil dug up”—Studying Revelation—Removal to Braintree and to Plymouth—College life—Teaching school—Publishing grammar and arithmetic—Conversion—Early impressions—Sceptical views—Journey—Startling incident at an inn—Entering the Theological Institute at Andover—Self-dedication—Joining the Church—Consecration to the ministry—Fervent piety 1

CONSECRATION TO MISSIONARY LIFE.

Buchanan’s “Star in the East”—Association with kindred missionary spirits—Haystack monument—Obstacles—Attractions at home—Best men needed abroad—Anticipation of dangers and hardships—Application to Dr. Bogue—The case laid before the _General Association_—Organization of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions—Failure to co-operate with the _London Missionary Society_—Journey to England—Captured by a French privateer—Confined in the hold—In prison at Bayonne—Paroled—Scene at a masked ball—Reception in England—Personal appearance—Return to America—Appointed by the Board—Meeting with Ann Hasseltine—Incident at the table—Sketch of Ann Hasseltine—Marriage—Parting with parents—The wayside prayer—Ordination—Parting with sister—Embarcation 16

CHAPTER III. VOYAGE TO BURMAH. 1812-1813.

The course—Change of views on Baptism—Arrival in Calcutta—Announces to the Board his change of views—Appeal to the Baptists—His baptism—Excluded from India by the East India Company—Journey to the Isle of France—Death of Harriet Newell—Journey to Madras—Voyage to Rangoon—Arrival—The effect in America of his change of views—Organization of a Baptist Missionary Society—Beneficial consequences of his becoming a Baptist—Missionary operations widened—Consolidation and growth of the Baptist denomination 36

Face of the country—Animals—Inhabitants—Industrial life—Government—Religion—History and distribution of Buddhism—Buddhism and Brahminism contrasted—Life of Buddha—Buddha’s Way of salvation—Point of Departure, the Goal, and the Way—Buddha’s moral code—Buddhism and Christianity 56

Rangoon a strategic point—First impressions of Rangoon—The _Task_ before him—The evangelization of Burmah—The _Means_—Not civilization—Not schools for children—The Gospel conveyed to the adult mind—The printed Word—Oral preaching of the Gospel—The press can never supersede the pulpit—His method of preaching—The _Difficulties_—Burman conservatism—Learning the language—Danger of persecution—Sublime faith—Removal into the city proper—Mrs. Judson’s declining health, and voyage to Madras—Birth and death of Roger Williams Judson—Conversation between Mr. Judson and his Burman teacher—His illness—Compiling Burman Grammar—The first tract—Arrival of Mr. Hough and the press—The first inquirer—Matthew translated—Ill health—Horrors of the sea voyage to Madras—Mrs. Judson’s heroism during his absence—Arrival of Messrs. Colman and Wheelock—Beginning of public worship in the zayat—The first baptism—Handpicking among the Burmans—Rising persecution—Determination to go to Ava—Death of Wheelock 74

LIFE IN RANGOON—CONTINUED.

Journey to Ava—Unsuccessful visit at court—Return to Rangoon—Firmness of the converts—Colman’s death in Arracan—Revival amid persecution—First baptism of a Burman woman—Letter from Burman converts to American churches—Mrs. Judson’s alarming illness—The voyage to Calcutta and return—Series of conversions and baptisms—Mrs. Judson’s visit to America—Personal appearance—Mr. Judson’s solitude—Arrival of Dr. and Mrs. Price—Death of Mrs. Price—Second journey to Ava—Favorable reception at Court—Return to Rangoon—Purpose to establish a mission at Ava 147

LIFE IN AVA AND OUNG-PEN-LA.

Third journey to Ava—Bright prospects—Gathering war-cloud—Cold reception at Court—War between the English and Burmans—All the white foreigners thrown into prison—Duration of imprisonment—The place—Horrors of an Oriental jail—Serene faith—Mrs. Judson’s intercessions—Birth of Maria—Removal to Oung-pen-la—Final release—His personal reminiscences of his captivity—A British officer’s description of Mrs. Judson 212

Treaty of peace—Condition of affairs in Rangoon—The Wades and Boardmans at Calcutta—Description of Mr. and Mrs. Boardman—The founding of Amherst—Removal to Amherst—Accompanying the English Embassy to Ava—Uncongenial employment—Mrs. Judson’s death—His return to Amherst—Arrival of the Wades and Boardmans—Death of little Maria—Decline of Amherst—Removal to Maulmain—Death of Mah-men-la—Death of his father 282