I use three primary sources for these vignettes, consulting with others for corroboration and background. For September 1, two of my books referred to the death of Sarah Boardman Judson.
Sarah (nee Hall) was born in 1803. The Lord saved her soul, and she became a member of the First Baptist Church in Salem, Massachusetts. There she became intensely interested in the salvation of others and particularly in missionary work. “How can I be so inactive, when I know that thousands are perishing in this land of grace; and millions in other lands are at this moment kneeling before senseless idols!” At the age of 22, Sarah met George Boardman, and their mutual interest in missions led them to marry on July 3, 1825. Thirteen days later they set sail for Burma. Together they accomplished a great work among the Karen people of the mountains of Burma – but the ministry of George Boardman was short. He was cut off by disease after only six years on the field. Sarah returned from the mountains to serve in the lowlands with the missionary team of Adoniram Judson.
Judson who had been widowed several years earlier, fell in love with Sarah, and on April 10, 1834 they were married. Sarah was once again the perfect helpmeet for one of God’s missionaries. She was particularly skilled at languages, helping to translate the New Testament into the Peguan language and “Pilgrim’s Progress” into Burmese.
After the birth of her last child in 1844, she became ill. When it was decided that a long sea voyage was needed, Brother Judson agreed to his first furlough in 33 years, and the family took ship for America. At first Mrs. Judson showed signs of improvement, but quickly she began to decline again. Fearing that his wife would have to be buried at sea, Judson prepared for the worst, but the ship managed to reach the Isle of St. Helena, in the Southern Atlantic, where on this day in 1845, Sarah Judson made her exodus from this world into the presence of the Lord.