I am currently reading a book entitled “ My Heart in His hands” – Ann Judson of Burma. What an overwhelming book. I am just halfway through the book and I had to put it down because I could not bear to read of the hardship and suffering any longer.
Ann Judson (1789-1826) was the first female American missionary to set sail to Asia, with her husband Adoniram Judson (1788- 1850). The journey was a difficult one that took four months and the physical and emotional hardship that was to come far exceeded anything that anyone could imagine. Her good friend Harriet Newell and her husband soon followed in their footsteps, which was a joy to the Judsons as they were isolated from people since they departed from America. But Ann soon received news that Harriet and the baby she was carrying, had both died at sea. But Ann writes this after her visit to the grave some months later “The visit revived many painful, solemn feelings….But I was struck on beholding the large cross in the centre of the cemetery. This reminded me of the triumph of the cross over death; a triumph of which every saint will at last partake and be crowned with eternal life.”
Ann herself gives birth to her first baby stillborn; and her second dies after eight months. “Death has entered our dwelling and made one of the happiest families wretched. Our little Roger Williams, was three days ago laid in the silent grave. Eight months we enjoyed the precious little gift, in which time he had so completely entwined himself around his parents hearts, that his existence seemed necessary to their own. But God has taught us by afflictions, what we would not learn by mercies - that our hearts are His exclusive property. And whatever rival intrudes, He will take it away.”
Ann and Adoniram labored for seven years, learning the languages and translating scriptures, before they saw their first Burmese convert. An excerpt from a conversation with this new convert – “These words (from the scriptures) take hold to my heart and make me tremble. Here God commands us to do good not to be seen by man. How unlike our religion this is! When Burmese make offerings to the Pagodas, they make a great noise with their drums and musical instruments that others may see how good they are. But this religion makes the mind fear God; and in its own accord, fear sin.” What a glorious example this is of persevering by the grace of the Lord for there was nothing else keeping them going.
Death and disease frequently threatened their lives. Ann had to return to America for 2 years at one time as her health was failing, but they decided that Adoniram should remain in Burma to continue the work, for the sake of the gospel. Ann writes “Nothing but the duty to God, to ourselves and to the perishing Burmese, compelled us to adopt this course of procedure, though agonizing to all natural feelings of our hearts.”
Dear friends, what are you and I living for? Whether you are a Christian or not, I pray that the lives of these people will help you to ask this question and find the answer to it. Ann and Adoniram Judson gave their lives to save the souls of sinners by bringing the gospel to Burma. They counted nothing greater than doing that. What is the greatest thing that we will do in our lives?
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