SKETCHES FROM THE LIVES OF MR. AND THE MRS. JUDSONS by M. L. H.

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, June 24, 1880

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 56, No. 1

SKETCHES FROM THE LIVES OF MR. AND THE MRS. JUDSONS.

By M. L. H.

The missionary spirit exhibits the same characteristics wherever it exists; and, although it may manifest itself in various ways and by different means, it has one source and one object. S. D. Adventists are professedly a missionary people, yet in other denominations noble men and women have possessed this spirit in an eminent degree. Even at the present time we read of persons whose minds have never been enlightened by the rays of present truth, and whose souls have never been stirred with the thrilling and important truths designed for this time, whose efforts in the cause of Christ exceed ours.

We are in danger of making the missionary work too narrow, of associating it with some particular branch, to the exclusion of others equally important. It is the salvation of souls which we seek, and the means within our reach for the accomplishment of this, are many and varied.

We do not consider it necessary to go to foreign lands or heathen nations in order to become missionaries, but many who have thus done have left us noble examples of devotion, self-denial, and sacrifice. If we read their lives carefully, we shall be impressed with the fact that with the same earnestness, activity, and undying love for souls which they possessed, great results can more easily be achieved in our own land of freedom, where are so many facilities for missionary labor, than in heathen countries.

Prominent among those who have in the past given themselves to the missionary cause in other countries are Mr. and the three Mrs. Judsons. We have thought that brief sketches from their lives might be of interest, and therefore will present from time to time some of the most interesting incidents connected with their missionary experiences, as found in the printed memoirs of their lives and labors.

Adoniram Judson was born in Malden, Mass., August 9, 1788. He was the eldest son of Adoniram and Abigail Judson. His father was a man of vigorous mind, resolute will, strong common sense, and inflexible integrity. His system of domestic government probably belonged more to the patriarchal than to the present dispensation.

His son Adoniram at an early age gave promise of unusual ability. His intellect [illegible] acquisition great, and his perseverance [illegible]. [Illegible] these elements [illegible] eminence which [illegible] somewhat to excess. His temper [illegible] his own family.

When about fourteen years of age, his studies were interrupted by a serious attack of illness, and for a long time his recovery was doubtful. As soon as the violence of the disease subsided, he spent many long days and nights in reflecting on his future course. His plans were of the most extravagantly ambitious character. First as an orator, then as a poet, and then as a statesman, he was sure, in his castle-building, to attain to the highest eminence. After a time one thought crept into his mind and imbittered all his musings. Suppose he should attain to the very highest pinnacle of which human nature is capable; what then? Could he hold his honors forever? His favorites of other ages had long since been turned to dust, and what was it to them that the world still praised them? What would it be to him, when a hundred years had gone by, that America had never known his equal? He did not wonder that Alexander wept when at the summit of his ambition; he felt sure that he should have wept too. At length his mind reverted to religious pursuits, and gradually instituted a comparison between the great worldly divine, toiling for the same perishable objects as his favorites, and the humble minister of the gospel, laboring only to please God and benefit his fellow-men. Here, he thought, is sublimity after all. Here is fame which reaches into the other world, and is the only one worth possessing, because it is the only fame that triumphs over the grave. But here his reverie was broken by these words which flashed across his mind, “Not unto us, not unto us, but to Thy name be the glory.” He desired to be truly religious, yet religion seemed entirely opposed to all his ambitious plans. In this state of mind he entered the Providence College, now Brown University, at the age of sixteen. A classmate, speaking of him, says that he has no recollection of his ever failing, or even hesitating in recitation.

At the close of his term he received the highest appointment in the commencement exercises.

It was at this time that French infidelity was sweeping over the land like a flood, and young Judson did not escape the contamination. In the class above him was a young man by the name of E——, who was amiable, talented, witty, exceedingly agreeable in person and manners, but a confirmed deist. A very strong friendship sprang up between the two young men, and Judson soon became, at least professedly, as great an unbeliever as his friend. Upon unfolding his infidel sentiments to his father, he was treated with the severity natural to a masculine mind that has never doubted, and to a parent who after making innumerable sacrifices for the son of his pride and love, sees him rushing recklessly on to his own destruction. His mother was none the less distressed, but she wept, prayed, and expostulated. His father's arguments had no effect upon his mind, but he had nothing to oppose to his mother's tears and warnings, and they followed him wherever he went. About this time he visited New York and other States, and it so happened that he fell in company with a young man of deep piety, whose conversation was characterized by a godly sincerity, a solemn but gentle earnestness, which addressed itself to the heart; and Judson left him deeply impressed. The next night he stopped at a country inn. The landlord mentioned to him that he had been obliged to place him next door to a young man who was exceedingly ill, probably in a dying state, and hoped it would cause him no uneasiness. Judson assured him it would not, beyond pity for the sick man. But he passed, nevertheless, a very restless night. Sounds came from the sick chamber; but it was not these which disturbed him. He thought of what the landlord had said—the stranger was probably in a dying state; and was he prepared? Alone, and in the dead of night, he felt a blush of shame steal over him at the question; for it proved the shallowness of his philosophy. The clear-minded, intellectual, witty E——, what would he say to his weakness? But still his thoughts would revert to the sick man. Was he a Christian, calm and strong in the hope of a glorious immortality? or was he shuddering upon the brink of a dark, unknown future? Perhaps he was a “free-thinker,” educated by Christian parents and prayed over by a Christian mother; and in imagination he was forced to place himself upon the dying bed, though he strove with all his might against it. As soon as he had risen in the morning, he inquired for his fellow-lodger. “He is dead,” was the reply. “Do you know who he was?” “Oh, yes; he was a young man from Providence College; his name was E——.” Judson was completely stunned. Not until hours had passed did he attempt to pursue his journey. One single thought occupied his mind, and the words, “Dead! lost! lost!” were continually ringing in his ears. He knew the religion of the Bible to be true, and felt its truth.

M. L. H.