“The third day after we came here, there was a celebration of the worship of Juggernaut. We went about ten in the morning. The immense multitude of natives assembled on the occasion, and the noise they made, answered to the account Buchanan gave. The idol was set on the top of a stone building. He is only a lump of wood, his face painted with large black eyes, and a large red mouth. He was taken from his temple, and water poured on him to bathe him. This is introductory to a more solemn act of worship, which will be performed a fortnight hence. After these poor deluded creatures had bathed their god, they proceeded to bathe themselves. Poor, miserable, deluded beings, they know not what they do. O Mary ! the inhabitants of America know nothing of poverty, slavery, and wretchedness, compared with the natives of India. So very numerous, they cannot get employ; and when they do, they are treated by the Europeans like beasts more than like men. Many of them die for the want of nourishment. Add to all this, they are ignorant of the only way of salvation. Who would not pity the poor heathen, and rejoice to contribute his mite to relieve some of their distresses !”
After they had been here about ten days, Messrs. Judson and Newell were summoned to Calcutta, and an order of the government was read to them, requiring them immediately to leave the country, and return to America. The government of India, at that time, were resolutely opposed to missions. Their motives we need not now canvass. The charter of the East India Company, which was renewed in 1813, was so altered in its passage through Parliament, by the zealous exertions of Wilberforce, Smith, Thornton, Fuller, and other friends of Christ in Great Britain, as to secure toleration for missionary efforts. The British possessions in the East were constituted an Episcopal See, and placed under the superintendence of a bishop and three archdeacons. The Rev. Dr. Middleton was the first bishop, and was succeeded by Bishop Heber, who has since died. It is just to say, that a great change of feeling has taken place among the officers of government, and the European residents, in India. Their fears concerning the effects of missionary operations, have subsided, and they are now disposed to favour and promote them.
This order was a very alarming and distressing one. The thought of returning, without accomplishing, in any degree, their object, was insupportable. The instructions of the board of commissioners, when they left America, directed them to fix the seat of their mission in the Burman empire, unless circumstances should render it inexpedient to attempt it. All the missionaries, however, thought it impracticable to establish a mission there. The despotic character of the government, and the failure of all previous attempts to introduce the Gospel into that empire, induced them to renounce the idea of a Burman mission. Mr. Nott, in a letter to a friend, said, “The Burman empire seems at present out of the question.” Mrs. Newell, in her journal, July 16, 1812, says : “We cannot feel that we are called in providence to go to Burmah. Every account we have from that savage, barbarous nation, confirms us in our opinion, that the way is not prepared for the spread of the Gospel there.” They therefore petitioned for leave to go to the Isle of France, which was granted ; and Mr. and Mrs. Newell sailed about the 1st of August. As the vessel could accommodate but two passengers, Mr. and Mrs. Judson remained in Calcutta, about two months longer. They were entertained with the most liberal hospitality, at the house of Mr. Rolt, an English gentleman : and the treatment which they received from other Christian friends was kind and soothing to their feelings, amid their difficulties.
About this time, Mrs. J. wrote the following letter to her sisters :
“Calcutta, Aug. 23, 1812.
“My Dear Sisters,
“A melancholy pleasure pervades my mind, when I take up my pen to address those whom I love, and whom I never expect to meet again in this world. When thinking of my friends and much loved native land, I frequently join with Ossian in saying, ‘There is a joy in grief when peace dwells in the breast of the sad.’ Grief for the deprivation of my friends, I love to indulge ; and I find every such indulgence binds them more closely to my heart. Can I forget thee, O my country ? Can I forget the scenes of childhood ; and the more endearing scenes of riper years ? Can I forget the parental roof, sisters, companions, and associates of my life ? No, never ! Never, till this pulse ceases to beat, this heart to feel. Yet, my dear girls, think not that I am habitually melancholy, or regret having left my native land. I never was happier, never was more cheerful, and never more satisfied in having engaged in my arduous undertaking.”
The following paragraph, from the same letter, is quoted here, because the opinion of Mrs. J. on the subject referred to, is entitled to much weight, and applies with equal force, to almost every heathen country ;
“Good female schools are extremely needed in this country. I hope no missionary will ever come out here, without a wife, as she, in her sphere, can be equally useful with her husband. I presume Mrs. Marshman does more good in her school, than half the ministers in America.”
While they remained in Calcutta, their minds were agitated with doubt, respecting their future course. They could not stay in Hindostan ; and yet they resolved to devote themselves to missionary labours, if any position could be found, where they could stay and toil. At one time, they thought it expedient to attempt a mission in South America ; and Mr. Judson commenced the study of the Portuguese language. Japan, Persia, Madagascar, and other countries, were thought of, as fields for missionary efforts. Mr. Judson had long regarded Burmah, as the most desirable station ; but it seemed inexpedient, at that time, to attempt to establish a mission there. The following extract of a letter from Mrs. J. dated Calcutta, Sept. 19, will shew in what light the design was regarded, and will increase the evidence which many other events afford, that a special providence conducted them to Rangoon, contrary to their expectations, and to all apparent probabilities :
“We had almost concluded to go to the Burman empire, when we heard there were fresh difficulties existing between the English and the Burman government. If these difficulties are settled, I think it probable we shall go there. It presents a very extensive field for usefulness, containing seventeen millions of inhabitants;—and the Scriptures have never been translated into their language. This circumstance is a very strong inducement to Mr. Judson to go there, as there is no other place where he could be equally useful in translating. But our privations and dangers would be great. There are no bread, potatoes, butter, and very little animal food. The natives live principally on rice and fish. I should have no society at all except Mr. J. for there is not an English female in all Rangoon. But I could easily give up these comforts, if the government was such as to secure safety to its subjects.
“But where our lives would depend on the caprice of a monarch, or those who have the power of life and death, we could never feel safe, unless we always had strong faith in God. Notwithstanding these difficulties, we are perfectly willing to go, if Providence opens the way. Mr. Judson has written to Mr. Chater, at Ceylon, to get all the information respecting that place, he can. Felix Carey has lately arrived from Rangoon, and wishes us to return with him, as he is entirely alone, there being no other Missionary in all Burmah. Mr. Judson and myself enjoy perfect health, and yet this is the most fatal month in the year, and is considered more sickly this year, than many years before. All our brethren have been sick with fevers, but are getting better. Why we are thus distinguished with such uncommon health, we know not, but can only ascribe it to the sovereign mercy of our Heavenly Father. We are still at Mr. Rolt’s, in Calcutta, where we are treated with the greatest kindness. I hope these favours will not induce us to forget our great object, or make us less engaged in our mission than when we were deprived of them. Mr. J. and myself spend the greater part of our time alone, and endeavour to realize the greatness of the work in which we have engaged—our dependence on God for success and direction—and the shortness and uncertainty of life.”
The following letter to her parents shows that they were still “perplexed, but not in despair—persecuted, but not forsaken.”
“Calcutta, Oct. 9, 1812.
“My dear and honoured Parents,
“I know you wish to hear from us every opportunity ; and to bear of our continued prosperity will afford you peculiar pleasure.