MR. and Mrs. Judson had been in Burmah about five years, and very busy ones they had been. From early morning till often late at night the missionary sat at his desk translating scripture texts or gospel books into the Burmese language, for the printing press was doing good work, and quite a number of tracts had been given to the people who thronged the bazaars and markets, or came in crowds on every holiday to visit the idol temple at no great distance from the mission station.
Mrs. Judson had very little spare time; household cares and duties took up some hours of every day, while her willingness to correct proofs, reading with great care the first printed sheets of every book as they were passed through the press, as well as the patient, thorough way in which the work was done, must have been a great help to Mr. Judson.
She wished very much to open a day-school for native girls; but as Burmese fathers and mothers did not seem quite willing to trust their young daughters to her care, she could only wait and pray that in His own time and way the Lord would give her the joy of seeing those in whom she felt so great an interest taught the way of salvation, and go quietly on sowing good seed in the minds of her servants, or telling Bible stories in very simple words to a few poor women who attended a Sunday afternoon class of which she was the teacher.
Glad and thankful as the laborers were for the work done, one thing caused them very real sorrow: they felt quite sure that it was the Lord who had opened a door for the gospel in Burmah, and He would bless His own word; but at the time of which I am telling you they could not rejoice over even one soul won for Christ. Though Mr. J. often received visits from natives, who came to ask questions about what they called "the new religion," the inquirers did not seem to feel the burden of their sins, and though they said the Christian books were "very good," they went on going to the heathen temples just as they had done before.
What could the Judsons do? In one sense of the word—nothing, for they were quite helpless in this matter; and deeply they must have felt their own utter weakness. And so, in simple faith and dependence upon God, they turned to Him in prayer, asking His blessing upon words spoken and books given in the name of Christ.
And I think the way in which these prayers were answered must have filled their hearts with joy and praise.
One morning, as Mr. Judson sat busily writing, a Burmese gentleman, attended by his servant, might have been seen going up the steps that led to the mission-house. His face had an earnest, thoughtful look, and he made several low bows on seeing the missionary. He was kindly received and seated near Mr. Judson. He did not seem in any hurry to speak, and the missionary waited. At last the stranger said almost in a whisper "How long will it take me to learn the religion of Jesus?”
Had Mr. Judson heard or understood the question rightly? For a moment he could hardly believe that he had done so, his joy was so great, for, as far as he knew, his visitor was the first Burman who had ever really wanted to know, in the words of the Philippian jailor, "What must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:3030And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? (Acts 16:30).)
Again a brief pause, and we may be sure that a cry went up to God for all the grace and wisdom needed to lead that poor troubled soul to Him who said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:66Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6).)
I will tell you as nearly as I can, in his own words, what Mr. Judson said: "If God gives light and wisdom, the religion of Jesus is soon learned. But without God a man may study all his life long and make no progress.”
The stranger bowed his head as if in assent, but did not speak, so the missionary asked, "But how came you to know anything of Jesus? Have you been here before?”
"No, Sir," replied the Burman.
"Have you seen any of the Christian writings?”
"Yes, I have read two little books," was the reply.
“Who is Jesus?” Mr. Judson next asked. The head of the stranger bent lower still, and for a moment he seemed unable to speak, then said in a voice unsteady from deep feeling, “He is the Son of God.”
"Who is God?" was the next question.
"He is a Being without beginning or end; One who cannot grow old or die, but always is.”
Mr. Judson next handed two small tracts to his visitor. He took them, read the titles, smiled as if he had met old and very dear friends, and said:
"I have seen these books before, they have been my teachers." Then turning to his servant, he read a few passages to him, saying as he closed the book, "Yes, this is the true God. This is the right way.”
Before leaving, he asked, "Have you not another book?”
Mr. Judson told him that in a few weeks he hoped to be able to give him a much larger book (the Gospel of Matthew) which he was then engaged in translating, a book from which he would, he told him, learn many things about the life and death of the Lord Jesus.
“But have you not even a few pages of this book ready now? Cannot you give me a small part of it?” the stranger pleaded.
Two sheets of paper, on which the first five chapters of the gospel had been printed, lay at that moment on Mr. Judson's study table. With a silent prayer for blessing, he rose from his chair, folded the sheets and gave them to his visitor, who seemed much pleased, and said "Good-bye," without stopping to ask a single question about the laws, manners or customs of England and America.
About the same time Mrs. Judson was much cheered by signs of real interest among the women who attended her class. About twenty names were on her attendance register, and though her scholars were rarely, if ever, all present at one time, still she thanked God and took courage.
The day had been a very hot one, and Mrs. Judson, who we may be sure was feeling tired, sat resting for a few minutes after her pupils had gone, when one of them returned, and sitting down at the feet of her teacher said:
“I am troubled and know not what to do. My mother, my grandmother, and my great-grandmother all went on feast days to the temple of the idol; they all gave offerings of rice and money to the priests. How can I give up the old religion for one of which I have not long heard?”
"But you do not wish to go to hell because your relations have done so, do you?" asked Mrs. Judson.
A long, earnest talk followed. The way of salvation through faith in Christ was clearly pointed out. After some weeks, the same young woman, the first, as far as we know, of Burmah's daughters to accept the gift of God (see Rom. 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)), again sought an interview with her teacher, saying with tear-filled eyes, "I do believe in Christ, and I pray to Him every day.”
Dear young reader, have your lips confessed, has your heart believed on this same Jesus, not only as Son of God, but as your very own Savior?