To the Golden Shore: The Life of Adoniram Judson

Quick InfoTitle: To the Golden Shore, a biography of Adoniram JudsonAuthor: Courtney AndersonYear Published: 1956, 1987Category: BiographyTags: Suffering, Frontier Missions, John PiperPriority: 4 – An immensely helpful and crucial read that would be a great book to glean from.Brief SummaryIn 1812, at the age of 22, Adoniram Judson left America for India (eventually ending up in Burma) as one of America’s first foreign missionaries, burning in his heart to obey the command to make disciples of all the nations (Mt 28:20). During his missionary career, he suffered through chronic fever, a torture camp, depression that drove him to mysticism, frequent threat of death, and constant discouragement. The beginning of his ministry saw little fruit, and the latter part bore fruit only through immense suffering. Many of his children died early due to illness. Those that didn’t die from disease, he had to send to boarding school when they came of age. He buried two of his wives with his own hands. He saw the little band of believers that the Lord would raise up scattered over and over again. In seemingly every possible way, Satan opposed the progress of the gospel in this man’s ministry.And, by the grace of God, he soldiered on to the very end. This is his legacy: the entire Bible had been translated into Burmese. There were dozens of missionaries in Burma through the American Baptist Convention society. His gospel tracts had been distributed to tens of thousands, and only to those who asked. Because of his influence thousands had come to faith. And his influence in Burma (now called Myanmar) persist even today, through His Bible translation and church planting. But, of course, his influence is most significant in heaven. Who knows how many countless Burmese are singing the praise of the Savior because of Judson’s pioneering influence? Only the Lord, but the Lord certainly does know.To the Golden Shore is Judson’s story. It is a fresh wind of refreshment to a soul weary and downcast with the worries of the world; we would do well to know it well.Why Should You Read?I have no small fascination with Adoniram Judson. I first learned of his story from John Piper’s biographical message in the summer of 2011. I continued to fuel my interest by reading Courtney Anderson’s account of his life (this book) in the summer of 2013, and posted many quotes from the book here. This year, I finished another biography, this one written by Vance Christie.And I still want more. Why? My intrigue is certainly influenced in some way by his daring, at times impetuous, courage for the sake of the gospel. It is due in large part to the fact that he was the one of America’s first foreign missionaries. And it is deeply tied to the fact that he was the first to preach the gospel, plant the church, baptize natives, and translate the Scriptures in Burma (modern day Myanmar). All of these are significant reasons, but it wouldn’t be the primary reason.Rather, to me, the greatest appeal is this: reading Judson’s life makes me dream again. It makes me dream the “foolish” thoughts of a fresh believer, of a Christian who sees what God can do as more real than what can be seen with the eye. It makes me again dream rightly, and say with a scoff, “What is sacrifice? What is cost? What is self-denial? What is pain? In the service of my God, gain!” It makes me dream again of doing impossible things by the power of the Spirit of God, of seeing nations bow the knee to Jesus Christ, of preaching the glorious gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, of giving my life unto this singular cause, of dying with the word, “Gain!” on my lips, of entering into the presence of my Master hearing, “Well done.” It makes me dream again of being faithful to the very end.Just how does Judson’s life make me dream? By way of reminder: the God who did the grand and spine-tinglingly glorious things in the past is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The God of Abraham is the same as the God of Adoniram Judson, and is my God. Judson’s life reminds me that never, ever, will any man ever out-dream God’s ability to glorify Himself. Never will it be that I could ever pray for something great, amazing, and glorious for God’s own fame, and He respond, “Oh sorry, I can’t do that.” He “is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 4:20). My Savior said, “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it” (John 14:13-14). We pray in His name — anything! — and He will do it. Do we believe it? Will we pray it?I need this reminder. And as long as the Lord tarries, I will need this reminder, for my soul is constantly forgetful and wandering from the Truth. May the Lord continue to raise up men like Judson, and through them, make His name great among the nations!Prerequisites/CautionsAnderson is shamelessly enthusiastic about Judson, and his eagerness shines throughout the entire narrative. This is perhaps the greatest strength of the writing: you can’t but be swept up into the passion. Yet, I suspect that much of Anderson’s insight into the thoughts and minds of the ‘characters’ is based upon extrapolation rather than research. For a more dispassionate (and in my opinion, much more boring) account of Judson’s life, read Christie’s biography Adoniram Judson.In addition, one should take note that in the 1800s, the Christian missionary culture was very different from modern day. In particular, it was not a scandal to send your children back to America for education, to be raised by extended family members. It was not a scandal to leave your spouse for half a year, maybe even years, at a time for the sake of the missionary endeavor. In fact, it was normative, even expected. The luxuries, or perhaps harmful, of technology like air travel and internet simply didn’t exist. These missionaries had to give up the comforts of wife and children; otherwise, the mission would fail.In addition, we would do well to refrain from naïve, ignorant criticism of so-called ‘legalistic’ missionary methods, in particular barring a new convert from begin baptized if they do not meet a certain level of commitment to Christ. History has shown that this practice, as well as others that American Christians might challenge, are for the good of the church.ReadabilityAnyone who can read this blog post should be able to read this book with ease. I do provide a fair warning though: if read correctly, you will spend hours tearing – both definitions of the word – through this book.QuotesSince this book is a biography, and lengthier than most of the other books I’ve reviewed, it would not be very profitable to list pages upon pages of quotes from each of the chapters. Instead, I will be content to quote a few relevant Scriptures that captive the essence of Judson’s life. God’s Word is the eternally relevant Word.Matthew 1037 “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.Matthew 1929 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.Philippians 121 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

There are already several great reviews on here that outline the thrust of the book, the ministry of Judson, his relevance to missions, and his impact on readers. I say amen to all of that. Instead of rewording what has been said so well already, I will try to paint more intimate view of the man Adoniram Judson, what made him tick, and why God used him.I agree with John Piper that Adoniram was a living example of the John 12:24-25 principle:"24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life."Adoniram's full life is one marked by continually dying to his desires and all he held dear. I tell you the suffering and loss this man experienced is in ways hard to comprehend. From being born in the year that marked the beginning of the coldest 20 year span of history at that time to dying alone at sea, hardship abounded. He listened to his best friend from college die in a room beside his; he lost the 3 children from his first wife before losing her; he lost three of eight children from his second wife before she died on a trip back to America (where they had to bury her in South Africa and continue the journey); he spent 2 years imprisoned in a Burmese death prison where he nearly starved to death and slept with his feet tied to an elevated bar so that only his shoulders rested on the ground. And this was all in a day when correspondence to friends, family, and overseers back home could take years to go back and forth and the best medicine of the day was salivation with mercury coupled with 3 to 6 month voyages in sea air away from spouse and mission house. On and on tragedy abounds (see the review by D. MILLS)...BUT he pressed on fueled by the belief that:1. God is sovereign and in complete control of all things and 2. God is good.These 2 pillars kept Adoniram going through hardship and fervent on seeing the glory of God displayed through a church established in Burma. He knew God was working His divine will through this suffering and knew it had to be for his own good. "He knew there must be a just Plan and loving Planner in all that was happening. Everything was doubtless for God's good purpose (p. 349)." This blew me away throughout the book. At times, I wept with heartache over the extreme loss this man endured, as he fought to see Burma converted, a Bible translated, and his wife loved with all he had.Here are some other gems I uncovered as I poured over these precious pages:[Upon choosing missions over an American pastorate position] "...in what other career could he both defy his father and obey him; be like him, but unlike; follow, yet surpass?" p. 54The great missionary William Carey of India joined the voices of others by telling Judson, Burma mission soil was too hard and it would be better to "forget Burma." p.133[While wrestling with the doctrine of baptism as a Congregationalist, being sent from a Congregationalist mission board, as America's first foreign missionary...feel the magnitude :)] "He...said he felt it his duty to examine closely a subject on which he felt so many doubts," and "...determined to read candidly and prayerfully, and to hold fast, or embrace the truth, however mortifying, however great the sacrifice." p.143"Funds, location of a mission, support, organization---all these hung in the air. But Adoniram never concerned himself with such matters. He was satisfied that Baptism was the only correct creed. He had a burning determination to convert the heathen himself. For the rest, let others worry." p. 146"The poor Burmans are entirely destitute of those consolations and joys which constitute our happiness; and why should we be willing to part with a few fleeting, inconsiderable comforts, for the sake of making them sharers with us in joys exalted as heaven, durable as eternity! We cannot expect to do much, in such a rough, uncultivated field; yet, if we may be instrumental in removing some of the rubbish, and preparing the way for others, it will be a sufficient reward. I have been accustomed to view this field of labor, with dread and terror; but now I feel perfectly willing to make it my home the rest of my life." p.166"It was the unhappiest evening they had ever spent. At last they had arrived at the destination Adoniram had aimed at for three years, the place he had dreamed of, the goal of his ambition; and they had never regretted anything more in their lives." p. 169[Upon the death of their second son, first wife Nancy reflected] "Our hearts were bound up with this child; we felt he was our earthly all, our only source of innocent recreation in this heathen land. But God saw it was necessary to remind us of our error, and to strip us of our only little all. O, may it not be vain that he has done it. May we so improve it that he will stay his hand and say 'It is enough.'" p. 193"No one that really knows Him can help loving Him." p. 241"We live only for the promotion of the cause of Christ among the Burmans." p. 260"Though government difficulties are before us, hell is also before us, and those who are really afraid of hell cannot help embracing Christ." p.261"He had learned to pray in prison." p. 333[To Adoniram from inquiring natives as the Gospel began to go forth] "Are you Jesus Christ's man?" p. 399"Take the bitter cup in both hands...you will soon learn a secret, that there is sweetness at the bottom..." p. 401"The motto of every missionary, whether preacher, printer, or schoolmaster, out to be `devoted for life.'" p. 409[Sick in the throat, near death, and in much difficulty to speak] "And why should I wish to live any longer? I am unable to preach." p. 424[A Burmese woman recalling his ministering] His talk came "through his lips as though it was the voice of God." p. 427All in all, this book is most worthy of being read. Mr. Judson's testimony and life rank among those nearest my heart in all of Christendom. Please read it, be inspired, and then follow him as he followed Christ by becoming a seed, dying, and bearing much fruit.Today 3,700 Baptist churches find direct origins from his ministry and his Bible translation is still hailed as the finest in the Burmese language.

I bought this for a friend and he reads it every night. He just loves it; not only is it a true story, but it's informative, inspiring, and entertaining!

I BOUGHT THIS BOOK FOR MY LIBRARY IN MY LOCAL CHURCH THE REFORMED BAPTIST CHURCH IN INVERNESS I HOPE TO BUY MANY MORE LIKE THIS

Good book

A very well written account from cradle to grave of this trailblazing Pioneer.

This is probably one of the best missionary biographies ever written, certainly the best I have ever read (narrowly edging out John Paton's autobiography from the number 1 spot). It's an absolutely incredible, almost unbelievable) story of perseverance and faithful endurance under almost unimaginable suffering and hardship. Anyone who has an idealised picture of missionary life will soon have that view taken from them as they read about the horrific sufferings that Judson had to endure for decades before seeing real lasting results. And modern readers know that today there are well over a million baptists in Burma as a result of his perseverance. A very inspiring and moving book; if nothing else it will make you realise that your life with all its problems actually isn't that bad.One thing I will say about the kindle version, it's clearly just an uncorrected OCR of the printed edition, as it is full of spelling and punctuation errors, including entire words missing from sentences. 99% of the time it is clear what is meant (eg. 'Bumma' is obviously meant to be Burma) so the meaning of the story isn't lost, it's just distracting and annoying to find in a text that I paid money for. Still heartily recommended, but might be worth getting the paperback version instead.

This book is a valuable read. Long, but high value.The impact left by Adoniram Judson’s life in Burma is still there to this day. I suppose if a life can be viewed as a form of currency, then without a doubt Adoniram Judson spent every last cent of his life in the service of the Gospel in Burma.I love the outlook of the man, that mission work is for the full term of one’s natural life, that it is not something to be dabbled in for a season only. No wonder that he and many other missionaries of a similar mind-set / heart-set have left a deep mark for good in the world with respect to the Kingdom of God.Also, the man does not dilute or water down or back away from stating in simple but absolutely crystal clear terms what the bible declares about Jesus: Acts 4:12 “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name given under heaven by which men must be saved.” He held to this in a time when potential converts had to weigh the risk and cost of following Jesus in terms of imprisonment, confiscation of property, or even loss of life.Why are we so fearful and ashamed to state this so unequivocally today? … when the bible is not a book waiting to be translated into our language but is available in many translations, and when the cost to us is only the derision of men?One more thing: the cost. Adoniram Judson engages in mission work - in carrying the Gospel to where it has not been made known - at a time when there are no guarantees. There is no insurance policy, no promise of safety, no ready welcome. He persists in his work, even in the face of sickness, the death of two wives, imprisonment, the death of children, the incredible strain on mental health … and, as mentioned above, he does this for life, for as long as he draws breath.Would that we would take to heart the example as detailed in this valuable book. Not only as a series of unique stories of courage and service, but as something to emulate. It is not enough to only be emotionally moved by the compelling story, or to merely be intellectually stimulated by the content. At the heart of this book lies the fact that Adoniram Judson was obedient. That is the point, the raison d'etre out of which the impact of his life and the stories flow …No, none of us can ever “be” Adoniram Judson. And God never calls us to be. But, if I understand Jesus’ simple directive correctly: we are to deny self, take up our cross daily, and follow Him.This is for life, and not just for a season; this is at cost, not insisting on absolute guarantees as to safety; and this must embrace not backing away from or diluting or being ashamed of what the bible states clearly and emphatically: that “God in Christ was reconciling the world to Himself.”This comes as a one-of-a-kind, unique, nothing-else-on-the-table solution for dealing with the issue of sin: Acts 4:12 “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name given under heaven by which men must be saved,” something Adoniram Judson held to in a time when potential converts had to weigh the risk and cost of following Jesus in terms of imprisonment, confiscation of property, or even loss of life …