Emily: “Welcome to Love Notes: Timeline Edition. I’m Emily Cox. Today, we’re traveling back to the 19th century to meet Ann and Adoniram Judson. The Judsons are known as some of the very first
American missionaries to take the gospel to unreached people groups outside North America. *turning to Ann and Adoniram* I’m so excited to have you guys on the podcast today! Let’s start by talking about your missions work – Adoniram, how did you decide to pursue ministry in Burma?”
Adoniram: “Well, my heart turned toward the mission field when I was a student at Andover Theological Seminary. It was at that time that I discovered a passionate sermon by an Anglican chaplain promoting Christian missions in the East. His positive outlook and interest in Bible translation influenced me toward taking the gospel to this part of the world.”1
Emily: “Fascinating. How about you, Ann? What drew you toward the mission field?”
Ann: “Ultimately, it was God’s providential intervention – but he used Adoniram to show me where he wanted me to be. Until I met my husband, my plans for my life looked a little different.”
Emily: “Really? Tell us how you met.”
Ann: “It was at my parent’s house. Adoniram was visiting us in conjunction with a missions event.”
Emily: “What did you think of Adoniram when you first met him?”
Ann: “*laughing* He was very quiet..”
Adoniram: “That’s because I was thinking about her!”2
Ann: “Yes! Later I learned why Adoniram didn’t say much. He was quiet, but he was thinking deep thoughts..”
Emily: “He was smitten?”
Ann to Adoniram: “Were you smitten?”
Adoniram: *laughing* “Yes. I guess I was.”
Emily: “So what did you do then?”
Adoniram: “I wrote a letter to Ann’s father!”
Ann: “I remember that letter!”
Emily: “What did the letter say?”
Ann: “Adoniram asked for permission to marry me. But he warned that our ministry together would involve risking ‘every kind of distress..degradation, insult, persecution, and perhaps a violent death’”3
Emily: “That doesn’t sound like a very attractive proposal.”
Adoniram: “You’re right – it doesn’t! But I believe shining the light of Christ into the darkness is worth all those risks, and more.”
Ann: “So do I!”
Emily: “And you said yes.”
Ann: “I did. It took me a little while, though.”
Emily: “Why is that?”
Ann: “So many things were running through my mind. I had no illusions about my future with Adoniram – he was clear that marrying him meant joining him as a missionary thousands of miles away from everything I had known.”
Emily: “I can understand that – you didn’t want to make such an important decision without counting the cost.”
Ann: “Exactly. I did a lot of thinking and praying and journaling. Many of my friends thought accepting Adoniram’s proposal meant throwing my life away. If I had rejected it, they would have just said that was the logical thing to do. But I believed it was my responsibility to seriously consider his proposal and come to a biblical decision. I believed that if God wanted me to join Adoniram on the mission field, I would be willing to give up my comfortable life in Massachusetts and risk all the dangers he told me about. Once I concluded that’s what God wanted me to do, that settled it.”4
Emily: “And your life since then hasn’t been easy..”
Ann: “Absolutely not. But God has been faithful.”
Adoniram: “He has.”
Ann: “There have been many challenges in our ministry..the East India company opposing our work; hostility from local leaders. But God has sustained us through all of this, and I know that the One living inside of us is greater than whatever difficulties we face.”
Adoniram: “Yes. I am confident that God will preserve us as long as He has work for us to do in Burma. At the same time, I think of martyrs like Steven who lost their lives for the sake of the gospel. I’m willing to make the same sacrifice, if that’s part of God’s plan.”
Ann: “So am I.”
Emily: “It sounds like you guys are made for eachother.”
Ann: “Quite seriously, we are. God brought us together to bring the gospel to people who have never heard it.”
Adoniram: “And most importantly, He created us to glorify him and enjoy him forever. Whether we live or die, He is with us.”
Emily: “I’m so encouraged by your testimony, Ann and Adoniram. Before we close, I’m going to ask you a couple more questions. Adoniram, what is something you love about your wife?”
Adoniram: “Wow..what do I not love about her? She’s beautiful inside and out, and her courage inspires me to be strong in the Lord. Without Ann, I don’t know that I would be here doing what I’m doing.”
Ann to Adoniram: “You’re so sweet! We also need to remember that without God, neither of us would be here, and there would be no good news to share.”
Adoniram: “True.”
Emily: “That’s a good reminder. So how about you, Ann? What’s something you love about your husband?”
Ann: “As you probably noticed, Adoniram is very encouraging! When I feel down, he brings sunshine to the situation and points me toward an eternal perspective.5 That is such a help to me and I love that about him. If my husband wasn’t so encouraging to me, it would be a lot harder for me to be an encouragement to him. I’m thankful for how we can build up and sharpen one another.”
Emily: “That’s great. What a blessing to be on the same page spiritually with your spouse and help one another on your journey to heaven.”
Ann: “Indeed.”
Emily: “Thanks for having this conversation with me today, Ann and Adoniram! It’s been great talking to you guys.”
Ann: “It’s been great talking to you as well!
Adoniram: “Thanks for having us on your podcast.”
Works Referenced.
Note: Superscript in interview text expresses the influence of source material, not necessarily the absolute historical verification of statements. “Love Notes: Timeline Edition” strives for historical accuracy but also may include creative license within the parameters of known facts.
1.
The Life of Adoniram Judson – Christian Audio Lecture by Thomas Sullivan
https://safeshare.tv/x/FfKV_VaIFJc#
Claudius Buchanan Bio
https://www.wmcarey.edu/carey/buchanan/star.htm
2, 4, 5.
Ann Judson: The Grace of Resilient Courage
Professor Tom Nettles
https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=1026131921515
3.
The Life and Significance of Ann Hasseltine Judson (1789-1826)
By Sharon James
Also:
Adoniram Judson and the Missionary Call by Erroll Hulse
https://www.chapellibrary.org/book/ajat/adoniram-judson-and-the-missionary-call-hulseerroll
God Calls it Good 