Adoniram Judson, Jr, a Baptist missionary to Burma was born in Malden, Massachusetts, on August 9, 1788.Parents: Revd Adoniram Judson of Woodbury, Connecticut, a Congregationalist, and Abigail Brown Judson of Tiverton, Rhode Island.
Education: Brown University | Andover Theological Seminary Wikipedia
While at Brown he adopted deistic views which brought severe disappointment to his parents. However, a providential encounter with the agonizing death of an atheistic friend arrested his attention. He resolved to abandon his wicked way and return home. He was a changed man.
During this period of spiritual crisis he entered the Theological Institution at Andover. Soon after, he dedicated his life to God. On May 28, 1809 he publicly professed his faith in Christ and joined the Congregational Church pastored by his father. While studying at the seminary, he and a small group of friends became interested in foreign missions. Together, Adoniram Judson, Jr, Samuel Nott, Jr, Samuel J. Mills, Jr, and Samuel Newell submitted their burden to the General Association of Massachusetts. This concern for missions developed into the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM).
On September 19, 1811, Adoniram Judson, Sameul Nott, Samuel Newell, and Gordon Hall were appointed by the ABCFM to serve as missionaries in the far east. In January of 1812, Luther Rice was also appointed to serve along with them.
Many things were converging upon Judson all at once. Just prior to his departure he took Anne Hasseltine to be his wife, and shortly after their departure Judson resigned his appointment by the Congregationalist ABCFM, due to his adoption of the Baptist position.
Upon their arrival in Rangoon, Burma, Judson began to study the Burmese language. Being a man of words, Judson completed a Burmese grammar in three years time. It was three years later before he gained enough confidence to preach in the Burmese tongue. About this same time Judson had the joy of baptizing his first convert. Judson completed a translation of the NT into Burmese in 1823. He finished his translation of the OT in 1834.
In 1850 Judson became ill. His doctor suggested a sea voyage. However, Judson died on this voyage on April 12, 1850 and was buried in the Indian Ocean near the Andaman Islands.
Judson is a hero of modern missions. His dedication and zeal for preaching the gospel have made an indelible mark upon the face of missions. Judson always put the preaching of the Gospel before social work. Even his pursuit of translating the Bible into the native tongue of the Burmese shows the priority he placed upon the the Gospel. Many today are trying to reverse this method emphasizing humanitarian aid and social work. Many people groups still do not have the Scriptures in their own tongues. Judson's example is challenging and worthy of our consideration.
Wholesome Words has a fantastic online directory of biographical sketches, writings, and recommended works on Adoniram Judson.
Wikipedia | Adoniram Judson
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