Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Thursday September 30, 2010

While enjoying a protracted exchange with a dear and long time friend the subject of the marriage of Adoniram Judson to Ann Hasseltine was passed back and forth and I recalled doing an article on Judson's request to Ann's father for her hand in marriage. I dug out the quote, it's in many books, and sent the quote. I have thought about it throughout the blank moments of today as I drove around etc.

Here is the request written after knowing Ann only one month:

"I have now to ask, whether you can consent to part with your daughter early next spring, to see her no more in this world; whether you can consent to her departure, and her subjection to the hardships and sufferings of missionary life; whether you can consent to her exposure to the dangers of the ocean, to the fatal influence of the southern climate of India; to every kind of want and distress; to degradation, insult, persecution, and perhaps a violent death. Can you consent to all this, for the sake of him who left his heavenly home, and died for her and for you; for the sake of perishing, immortal souls; for the sake of Zion, and the glory of God? Can you consent to all this, in hope of soon meeting your daughter in the world of glory, with the crown of righteous, brightened with the acclamations of praise which shall redound to her Savior from heathens saved, through her means, from eternal woe and despair?"

You have to admit Judson engaged in no sugar coating of reality here. The request to Ann's father stands out in Christian history as one of the most to the point and doctrinally correct one ever proffered.

I was/am struck by the similarity of Judson's statement of fact to the truth Jesus tells all who will take up the cross and follow Him. Christ did NOT promise a rose garden to those who make up His Bride. He spoke to them/us with the unvarnished truth that life with Him in this earthly sojourn is not to be a hip hip hooray jubilant romp through life, but rather one for the most part of suffering, rejection, persecution, distress and as Judson said, perhaps a violent death.

While Judson and Jesus were/are brutally honest about the terrible possibilities of service here below, they both emphasized the glory to come. The glory to come is almost an afterthought to many Christians today. Yet such is the main thrust in scripture.

Concerning Abraham, the father of the faithful God states in Hebrews 11:10:

For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

While he looked for the City, he endured faithful and so must we.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2010 Use with credit You will love this article; a story book marriage http://www.middletownpress.com/articles/2010/09/27/news/doc4c9ffe9318a29522505351.txt

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