To know the truth

I’ve been reading “My Heart in His Hands” by Sharon James. It’s about the life of Ann Judson, wife of Adoniram Judson, missionaries to Burma in the early 1800s. There are many excerpts from Ann’s letters throughout the book, which have been a blessing and challenge to read. One of them especially caught my attention this morning as I read…

Not long after having been in the country, Ann wrote this letter to her friend Nancy:

“An examination of the subject commenced on board the Caravan. As Mr. Judson was continuing the translation of the New Testament, which he began in America, he had many doubts concerning the word baptize. This, with the idea of meeting the Baptists at Serampore, when he would wish to defend his own sentiments, induced a more thorough examination of the Pedobaptist system. The more he examined, the more his doubts increased; and unwilling as he was to admit it, he was afraid the Baptists were right and he wrong. After we arrived at Calcutta, his attention was turned from this subject to the concerns of the mission, and the difficulties with government. But as his mind was still uneasy, he again renewed the subject. I felt afraid he would become a Baptist, and frequently urged the unhappy consequences if he should. But he said his duty conpelled him to satisfy his own mind, and embrace those sentiments which appeared most concordant with Scripture. I always took the Pedobaptist side in reasoning with him, even after I was as doubtful of the truth of that system as he.

We left Serampore to reside in Calcutta a week or two before the arrival of our brethren; and as we had nothing in particular to occupy our attention, we confined it exclusively to this subject. We precured the best authors on both sides, compared them with the Scriptures, examined and re-examined the sentiments of Baptists and Pedobaptists, and were finally compelled, from a conviction of truth, to embrace those of the former. Thus, my dear Nancy, we are confirmed Baptists, not because we wished to be, but because truth compelled us to be.

We have endeavoured to count the cost, and be prepared for the many severe trials resulting from this change of sentiment. We anticipate the loss of reputation, and of the affection and esteem of many of our American friends. But the most trying circumstances attending this change, and that which has caused most pain, is the separation which must take place between us and our dear missionary associates. Although we are attached to each other, and should doubtless live very happily together, yet the brethren do not think it best we should unite in one mission. These things, my dear Nancy, have caused us to weep and pour out our hearts in prayer to Him whose directions we so much wish and need. We feel that we are alone in the world, with no real friend but each other, no one on whom we can depend but God.”

Doesn’t the sacrifice and commitment of these dear people challenge your heart?

An excerpt from Ann’s diary on September 1st:

“I have been examining  the subject of baptism for some time past, and, contrary to my prejudices and my wishes, am compelled to believe, that believer’s baptism alone is found in Scripture. If ever I sought to know the truth; if ever I looked up to the Father of lights; if ever I gave up myself to the inspired word, I have done so during this investigation. And the result is, that, laying aside my former prejudices and systems, and fairly appealing to the Scriptures, I feel convinced that nothing really  can be said in favour of infant baptism or sprinkling.

We expect soon to be baptized. O may our hearts be prepared for that holy ordinance! And as we are baptized into a profession of Christ, may we put on Christ, and walk worthy of the high vocation wherewith we are called. But in consequence of our performance of this duty, we must make some very painful sacrifices. We must be separated from our dear missionary associates, and labour alone in some isolated spot. We must expect to be treated with contempt, and cast off by many of our American friends – forfeit the character we have in our native land, and probably have to labour for our own support, wherever we are stationed.”

Ann and Adoniram were baptized by immersion in the Lal Bazaar Baptist Chapel in Calcutta on September 6, 1812. William Ward, colleague of William Carey, conducted the service.

John 8:31-32 “…If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

~ by ninarose on February 3, 2010.