Last weekend I read a powerful sermon written by John Piper sermon about the life and mission of Adoniram Judson. The message is entitled “How Few There Are Who Die So Hard”, and you can read the full version here. I placed a copy of Piper’s sermon in my son’s backpack for him to read during his flight to Hong Kong.
Adoniram Judson (1788 – 1850) was the first American missionary to devote himself to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the unreached people of Burma (now known as Myanmar). Judson’s forty years on the mission field were marked by tragedy with the death of three wives and several children as well as several other hardships. His work also included times of deep despair, imprisonment and persecution. Yet Judson pressed on with a singular devotion to the Lord and His Gospel message. And as a result of his work there are close to 3700 Baptist congregations in Myanmar who trace their existence to this man’s passion for Christ. Many consider Judson to be one of America’s greatest missionaries.
In the message Piper records a letter Judson wrote to Ann Hasseltine’s father, requesting his daughter’s hand in marriage.
Judson writes to Mr. Hasseltine:
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 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 is 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 righteous, brightened with the acclamations of praise which shall redound to her Savior from heathens saved, through her means, from eternal woe and despair?
That is just the kind of life any father would want for his daughter, wouldn’t you agree?
Piper adds that Ann’s father, amazingly, said she could make up her own mind.
In response to Judson’s proposal, Ann wrote to her friend Lydia Kimball:
I feel willing, and expect, if nothing in Providence prevents, to spend my days in this world in heathen lands. Yes, Lydia, I have about, come to the determination to give up all my comforts and enjoyments here, sacrifice my affection to relatives and friends, and go where God, in his Providence, shall see fit to place me.
The call to missions is a call given to every born-again follower of Jesus Christ. We are all called by God to go into the world. No one is exempt from the mandate. For some, “going” is a call across the room or across the street. For others, “going” is across the country or across the globe. May all of us accept the call to go as Ann Hasseltine did, “to give up all my comforts and enjoyments here, sacrifice my affection to relatives and friends, and go where God, in his Providence, shall see fit to place me.”
I have also read the sermon you mention, as well as part of Adironam’s biography. It is an incredible story of dedication, suffering and all-out commitment to the Lord. I read stories such as his and think: “Wow, that is incredible. That is radical!” Then again, I was reminded just this morning that we, as Christ-followers, must “seek first the kingdom of God.” Maybe what Adironam Judson did was perfectly normal and is what any Christ follower must do. Thank for your reminding us of the call on our lives to do missions – whether across the street or across the globe.
It seems that what I consider radical in reality is to be normal in the Christian’s life. Oh that what I view as uncommon faith would be and become normal in my life, that of my family, and the church. Thanks for posting this…