LIVES
OF THE
THREE MRS. JUDSONS:
MRS. ANN H. JUDSON, MRS. SARAH B. JUDSON, MRS. EMILY C. JUDSON, |
MISSIONARIES TO BURMAH.
BY
ARABELLA W. STUART,
(MRS. ARABELLA M. WILLSON.)
A self-denying band, who counted not Life dear unto them, so they might fulfil Their ministry, and save the heathen soul. |
BOSTON: LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS.
NEW YORK: CHARLES T. DILLINGHAM.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eighthundred and fifty-five,
By Miller, Orton & Mulligan,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Northern District ofNew York.
PREFACE.
Among the many benefits which modern missions have conferred on theworld, not the least, perhaps, is the field they have afforded for thedevelopment of the highest excellence of female character. The limitedrange of avocations allotted to woman, and her consequent inability togain an elevated rank in the higher walks of life, has been a theme ofcomplaint with many modern reformers, especially with the party who areloud in their advocacy of woman's rights. That few of the sex have risento eminence in any path but that of literature, is too well known toadmit of denial, and might be proved by the scantiness of femalebiography. How few of the memoirs and biographical sketches which loadthe shelves of our libraries, record the lives of women!
The missionary enterprise opens to woman a sphere of activity,usefulness and distinction, not, under the present constitution ofsociety, to be found elsewhere. Here she may exhibit whatever shepossesses of skill in the mastery of unknown and difficult dialects; oftact in dealing with the varieties of human character; of ardor andperseverance in the pursuit of a noble end under the most tryingdiscouragements; and of exalted Christian heroism and fortitude, thatbraves appalling dangers, and even death in its most dreadful forms, inits affectionate devotion to earthly friends, and the service of aHeavenly Master. Compared with the true independence, the noble energy,the almost superhuman intrepidity of the Mrs. Judsons, how weak anddespicable seem the struggles of many misguided women in our day, whoseek to gain a reluctant acknowledgment of equality with the other sex,by a noisy assertion of their rights, and in some instances, by animitation of their attire! Who would not turn fr