I enjoy reading biographies of missionaries and other Christian heroes from the past. One of my all-time favorites is the story of Adoniram and Ann Judson. They were the first missionaries sent out from the newly formed United States of America. Born August 9, 1788, Adoniram was raised by his father, who was a pastor and his mother, who was a prayer warrior.
Although the time period was quite different, the same spiritual problems were experienced then as they are now. When Adoniram went to college at Brown University, he walked away from his Christian faith. The remarkable story of his conversion is one that is worth the time to read. The hope and promise of a new nation were as much in the heart of Adoniram as any other young American in the late 1700s/early 1800s. His aims and ambitions were high. He planned to become a lawyer, and possibly a future congressman or senator, but God had other plans for Adoniram. The Lord was going to give him the high calling of a missionary’s life.
Before leaving for the mission field, he met and fell in love with the young Ann Hasseltine. He agonized at the thought of asking her parents (who were well known and well established in the community) for her hand in marriage. He worried even more about the many suitors who were already interested in her. Prior to their wedding in 1812, he wrote to her parents to request their blessing. I felt such conviction in his proposal letter. Adoniram had a clear and remarkable understanding of not only the Gospel message, but the cost it demands.
“I have now to ask, whether you can consent to part with your daughter early next spring, to see her no more in this world; whether you can consent to her departure, and her subjection to the hardships and sufferings of a missionary life; whether you can consent to her exposure to the dangers of the ocean; to the fatal influence of the southern climate of India; to every kind of want and distress; to degradation, insult, persecution, and perhaps a violent death. Can you consent to all this, for the sake of him who left his heavenly home, and died for her and for you; for the sake of perishing, immortal souls; for the sake of Zion, and the glory of God? Can you consent to all this, in hope of soon meeting your daughter in the world of glory, with the crown of righteousness, brightened with the acclamations of praise which shall redound to her Savior from heathens saved, through her means, from eternal woe and despair?”
To Adoniram’s relief, her parents left the decision to Ann. Thankfully, she accepted his proposal, and they were married in 1812. The Judson’s life models to us Amos 6:1, “Woe to those who are at ease in Zion…” The NLT says, “What sorrow awaits you who lounge in luxury in Jerusalem…,” and the NIV says, “Woe to you who are complacent in Zion…” In other words, do not grow comfortable in your Christianity.
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