Ann Judson, Baltimore, to Mrs. Thomas Baldwin, Boston, 27 February 1823.

Baltimore Feb 27. 1823

My Dear Mrs Baldwin

         By our good friends, the Lincolns, I cannot forbear sending a few lines, tho’ you are in my debt. I was much distressed to hear of your severe indisposition but am rejoiced to learn that you are convalescent. It is undoubtedly necessary, that we should be afflicted in this way, or we should forget the frailty of our bodies, & our liability to sudden death. But when, by these light afflictions, our spirits are more conversant with heaven, when they leave, as it were, these sickly bodies, & enter the invisible world, behold the moral perfections of God & the glories of the Saviour, then what reason have we to rejoice in them, & to say, “it is good for me to be afflicted.” I trust my dear sister, this has, in some measure, been the rose with both of us during our confinement this winter. It is necessary that I should be afflicted. When in the enjoyment of perfect health, my spirits are so buoyant that I am frequently in danger of losing religious enjoyment, & attending too much to scenes, with which I am surrounded. For the last five weeks I have been very ill, & more than once, gave up all hope of ever seeing Rangoon again. But for the last ten days, I have improved very rapidly, & have now no unfavourable symptoms excepting debility, occasioned in part from being bled so largely in the arm. My cough & pain in the side are entirely removed, tho’ my lungs are still weak. I have not been out excepting very lately in a close carriage for exercise, this winter, nor have I heard a single sermon out of my chamber. I have, however, sometimes been refreshed with female prayer meetings in my room, & brother is very kind in reading to me constantly, in the bible & religious books. I cannot tell you, how anxious I am to return to Boston, to Bradford &c. As soon as the travelling will allow, we shall set out for the North, & hope to be in Bostonby the first of April. – How interesting & distressing, the intelligence from Burmah! Surely God will continue the mission in that country. I have just been reading Mr Judsons Journal, sent me by Dr Stoughton. The late converts, are all well known to me; three of them are women, who constantly attended my meetings. O how I long to be in Rangoon. A female prayer meeting too, conducted entirely by themselves! This is more than I ever expected. Poor foolish Price! I know well the girl he has married. She formerly was my servant!!! But this is not the worst of it. The dignity of the Mission is exceedingly lowered. He is now a slave to the King who will not be very ceremonious in his conduct towards him, after the novelty of his medical exhibitions have ceased. I sometimes tremble for Mr Judson in being connected with him, & am ready to wish he had not accompanied him to Ava. But I presume he did not venture to trust him alone. But let us hope for the best. God reigns, & can turn the foolishness, as well as the wickedness of men to the promotion of his own glory. Dear Mrs Colman there, is still living. O what a scene of suffering has she witnessed. I do hope Dr Baldwin will encourage Mr Broadman to go out with me to India, to take Mr Colmans place. What an interesting missionary field. It must not be given up. I intended writing only a few lines but I have almost filled my sheet. Love to Mrs Carleton, & tell her I am quite offended that she has not written me. Affectionate regards to Dr Baldwin & your niece & believe me my dear Mrs Baldwin

  Yours very affectionately

  A. H. Judson

I hope you will be able to read this letter, but I am rather doubtful –

Address: Mrs Baldwin | Boston

Text: Ann Judson Papers, RG 1108, American Baptist Historical Society Archives, Atlanta, GA.