The Life of Adoniram Judson

by Edward Judson

A P P E N D I X A. — Autobiographical Record of Dates and Events, by A. Judson. 5oi B. — Mr. Judson's First Tract for the Burmans 568 c.-the Threefold Cord 571 D. — Advice to Missionary Candidates 577 E. — The Kathayan Slave 580 F. — Wayside Preaching 589 illustratio ns.

Genres: Biography, Christian, History, Nonfiction

Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1883

About the author

Edward Judson (1844-1914) was an American Baptist clergyman, born at Moulmein, British Burma, a son of the missionary Adoniram Judson and his second wife, Sarah Hall Boardman. He graduated in 1863 at Brown University, in 1868 was appointed professor of Latin and modern languages in Madison (now Colgate) University, in 1874-75 traveled abroad, and after being ordained to the Baptist ministry in the latter year was pastor of a church at Orange, N. J., until 1881. Thereafter to the time of his death he occupied the pulpit of a New York City church, first known as the Berean Church, later as the Memorial Baptist, and finally as the Judson Memorial, Dr. Judson having erected a large building on Washington Square to house the congregation, equipped with the facilities of an "institutional" church. He lectured on theology at the University of Chicago (1904–06) and on Baptist principles and polity at Union Theological Seminary (1906–08) and was made professor of pastoral polity at Colgate. In 1899 he published a Life of his father, and he wrote also The Institutional Church.

Reviews

[Vaclav · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a trying life his was! the disappointments and the loneliness. but what a wonderful way God has gifted this young man to learn the languages and translate the Bible into Burmese. a vivid example of a faithful and extraordinary pioneer among the people who knew nothing of Jesus!

[Doug Adamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adoniram Judson is a hero of mine and I have read a number of biographies and short accounts of his life and ministry. Some, such as Courtney Anderson's To the Golden Shore and Vance Christie's Devoted for Life are very good biographies and I would heartily recommend either of them to your consideration (slight lead to Christie's work). This account of Judson's life and ministry was issued by one of Judson's younger children, Edward Judson who was still a young child (5 1/2) when his father died in 1850. That said, he presents a commendable record of his father's life and ministry. This work contains a large quantity of sections from letters to and from Judson and family and fellow workers. It also includes six appendices which are worth reading. One is a record of dates and events of Judson's life (which, in this printing does not extend beyond January 1849). Other appendices give samples of Judson's tracts and writings; as well as one by his third wife, Emily C. Judson, and an account of a fellow sufferer from Judson's time in the death prison. In my opinion, the many excerpts from the letters and the writings in the appendices serve to give a better feel for the person of Judson and his family than do other biographies, including those by Anderson and Christie. This edition is digitally recovered by forgotten books and there are times when letters or words are missing or unclear and there are many other lines and marks. That said, I am thankful to have a copy of this book. It is definitely a good read.

[Christelle Jesudian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating account of XIXth century American missionary Adoniram Judson and his work in Burma. Written by his son, Edward Judson, it relies on correspondences, testimonies and personal writings. Adoniram Judson's achievements are impressive: he mastered the Burmese language after 6years (and was even complimented by the Burmese King of the time), translated the Bible after 20 years and almost finalised an English/ Burmese dictionary afterwards and last but not least, started a significant amount of churches of Bible believing christians. This biography is thorough and also allows to have a glimpse into his amazing wives (Ann Haseltine, Sarah Boardman and Emily Chubbuk) who successively supported and accompanied him in his work. This remarkable biography allows to understand the life-long sacrifices of missionary life in far away lands at that time.

[Sam Boychuk · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit slow so far. Of course biographies from the 18th century read more like wikipedia articles, they are complete, reference filled, exhaustive overviews of a life, not narrative tour de force. That said there is definitely lessons to be learned and a life (lives) well lived to be gleaned form. Just be patient with the dry (at times) narrative features of this work. By all means read it! Just take your time.

[Hope Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thorough account of an inspiring man, with many first-hand sources, such as letters and eyewitness accounts.