CHAPTER V.
Mr. and Mrs. Judson, and Mr. Rice, become Baptists—Mr. Rice returns to America—Mr. and Mrs. J. sail for Madras—Arrive at Rangoon 69
CHAPTER VI.
Sketch of the Geography, History, Religion, Language, &c. of the Burman Empire 87
CHAPTER VII.
Establishment of the Mission at Rangoon 101
CHAPTER VIII.
Letters of Mrs. Judson—Birth and Death of a Son—Arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Hough 116
CHAPTER IX.
Mr. Judson’s Visit to Chittagong—Persecution of Mr. Hough, and his Departure for Bengal—Return of Mr. Judson—Arrival of Messrs. Colman and Wheelock 129
CHAPTER X.
Mr. Judson commences Preaching—First Convert baptized—Death of Mr. Wheelock 142
Visit to Ava—Unsuccessful Interview with the King 161
CHAPTER XII.
Arrival in Calcutta—Return to Rangoon—Dr. Price joins the Mission—Mrs. Judson sails for America 177
CHAPTER XIII.
Mrs. Judson’s Visit to America—Mr. Wade joins the Mission—
Sail for Calcutta 185
CHAPTER XIV.
Messrs. Judson and Price visit Ava 199
CHAPTER XV.
Return of Mrs. Judson—War with the British 213
CHAPTER XVI.
Account of the Scenes at Ava during the War 227
CHAPTER XVII.
Narrative continued—Removal of the Prisoners to Oung-pen-la—Mrs. Judson follows them 243
CHAPTER XVIII.
Removal to Amherst—Mrs. Judson’s Death 261
CHAPTER XIX.
Progress of the Mission after Mrs. Judson’s Death—Mr. Boardman joins the Mission—Dr. Price’s Death 279
CHAPTER XX.
Present State of the Mission—New Station formed at Tavoy 289
CHAPTER XXI.
Concluding Remarks—Mr. Judson’s Address to American Females 314
MEMOIR.
CHAPTER I.
Mrs. Judson’s Birth, Education, and Conversion.
“I am a man, and feel a concern in every thing that relates to mankind,” was the generous sentiment of a Roman poet, which touched a kindred chord even in the bosoms of his iron-hearted countrymen. It is this universal sympathy which has always given a charm to biography. The earliest human compositions were narratives of the exploits and adventures of distinguished individuals. History, which has been called “philosophy teaching by example,” owes the greater part of its usefulness and interest, to its sketches of individual character, and its details of private conduct. And the inspired volume has this additional evidence of its origin from Him who knows what is in man, that a large portion of it consists of biography. The life and the death of many, both of the enemies and of the friends of God, are here recorded, to teach mankind, in the most emphatic manner, the happiness which springs from piety, and the folly of those who know not God, and obey not the Gospel.
It is remarkable, too, that Jehovah has thought proper to mention, in his word, with honourable commendation, many “holy women,” whose lives displayed the excellence of religion, and whose zeal in duty, firmness in suffering, and intrepidity in danger, entitle them to rank among the noble band, of whom the world was not worthy. The Bible, though written in a part of the earth where the female character is undervalued, is full of testimony to the moral and intellectual worth of woman. It is no small evidence of its divine origin, that it thus rises above a prejudice which seems to be universal, except where the Bible has dispelled it. Christianity alone teaches the true rank of women ; and secures to the loveliest and best portion of our race the respect and influence which belong to them.
But no precedent or argument is needed to justify the publication of a Memoir of Mrs. Judson. Those who have acquired any knowledge of her character are, it is believed, desirous to know more ; and all the friends of Missions must wish to trace the progress of a life which has been so closely connected with the history of the Burman Mission.
Mrs. Ann H. Judson was the daughter of Mr. John and Mrs. Rebecca Hasseltine. She was born December 22, 1789, at Bradford, (Massachusetts) where her venerable parents yet reside.
It has been said, that the character of men is formed by the education which they receive ; the companions among whom they are placed ; the pursuits to which they are led by inclination or necessity ; and the general circumstances of the situation into which accident or choice may have guided them.
This opinion, though doubtless it derives some plausibility from the undeniable effects of education, of example, and of the numberless other influences which affect the minds and the hearts of men, is yet untrue, in regard both to the intellectual and moral character. Neither the reason nor the affections are so obsequious to the power of external circumstances, as readily to take any new shape and direction.
There exist, without doubt, in the original structure of every mind, the distinctive elements of the future character. Favourable opportunities may be needed, to develope this character, but they cannot alone create it. The “village Hampden,” or the “mute inglorious Milton,” may exist, in many a hamlet ; and the call of an oppressed country, or the inspirations of learning, might arouse, and summon them forth to action, but could not bestow the noble patriotism of the one, or the genius of the other.
It is for this reason, that men feel a curiosity to learn something of the early years of individuals, distinguished either by uncommon qualities, or by remarkable actions. It seems to be thought, that such individuals must have exhibited, in childhood, some of the traits which marked their matured character. It gives no surprise to the admirers of Pope, to learn that he “lisped in numbers ;” and those who were charmed and moved by the eloquence of Massillon, or Whitefield, would readily believe, that the former was accustomed, while a boy, to repeat to his schoolfellows the sermons which he had heard ; and that the latter composed discourses while he served, at an early age, as the waiter at an inn.
The lamented individual, a sketch of whose life is attempted in the following pages, was known to the public, almost wholly as a missionary. But every one, who feels a concern to know what she did and suffered, in the performance of her public office, will be desirous to learn some facts relating to her early life, and some details of her personal history. These will naturally be expected to shed light on her public character, and to strengthen the interest with which her eventful course will be followed.
It is a cause of regret, that the means of gratifying this natural curiosity are so few and scanty. The reasons have already been explained, why no more of the productions of her pen have been preserved ; and the reader may easily imagine the difficulty of gathering the fugitive recollections which yet linger in the memory of her friends. From this source, however, a few facts have been collected.
In her earliest years, she was distinguished by activity of mind, extreme gaiety, a strong relish for social amusements, and unusually ardent feelings. She possessed that spirit of enterprise, that fertility in devising plans for the attainment of her wishes, and that indefatigable perseverance in the pursuit of her purposes, of which her subsequent