p. 331 | Work and Trust

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 29, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 21.

Work and Trust.

DURING a long course of years, even to the closing fortnight of his life, in his last sickness, Dr. Judson lamented that all his efforts in behalf of the Jews had been a failure. He was departing from the world saddened with that thought. Then, at last, there came a gleam of light that thrilled his heart with grateful joy. How did it come? Unexpectedly, Mrs. Judson was sitting by his side while he was in a state of great languor, with a newspaper, a copy of the Watchman and Reflector, in her hand. She read to her husband one of Dr. Hague's letters from Constantinople. That letter contained some items of information that filled him with wonder. At a meeting of missionaries at Constantinople, Mr. Schauffler stated that a little book had been published in Germany, giving an account of Dr. Judson's life and labors; that it had fallen into the hands of some Jews, and had been the means of their conversion; that a Jew had translated it for a community of Jews on the borders of the Euxine, and that a messenger had arrived in Constantinople, asking that a teacher might be sent to them.

When Dr. Judson heard this, his eyes were filled with tears; a look of almost unearthly solemnity came over him; and clinging fast to his wife's hand, as if to assure himself of being really in the world, he said:—

"Love, this frightens me. I do not know what to make of it."

"To make of what?" said Mrs. Judson.

"Why, what you have just been reading. I never was deeply interested in any object, I never prayed sincerely and earnestly for anything, but it came; at some time—no matter at how distant a day—somehow—in some shape—probably the last I should have devised, it came!"

What a testimony was that! It lingered on the lips of the dying Judson; it was embalmed with grateful tears, and is worthy to be transmitted as a legacy to the coming generation.—Sel.