Overview

Romance. Capture by pirates. Rescue from the French Revolution. Storms at sea in wooden ships. Death prison. Sacrifice to save others. Gospel advance. Faith in the face of unthinkable trials. Devastating loneliness and God’s provision. Triumphant fruit in a dark land after decades of perseverance. The biography of Adoniram Judson has it all. But which one should you read?

Courtney Anderson’s To the Golden Shore: The Life of Adoniram Judson, is the classic biography. All believers should read this book during their life time. Don’t be intimidated by its length. This book is a page-turner. In addition to the riveting accounts of how God worked and delivered in Judson’s life, this biography also includes many original quotes which gives the reader a glimpse into Judson and his team’s walk with God. What God did for Judson and through Judson, He can do today. This book is an inspiration and encouragement to every believer who reads it.

Highlights

  • Judson’s letter to his future father-in-law asking for Ann’s hand in marriage, honestly telling him that if he agreed, he would probably never see her again after they left for Asia as missionaries.
  • God using Ann to provide for Adoniram in death prison and his unlikely survival.
  • The providential protection of the Burmese Bible translation through the war and death prison.
  • God sustaining Judson through unthinkable trials and deaths in his family and the amazing fruit that came forth in the end.
  • Brilliant accounts of gospel advance against stern opposition.

Quotes

  • “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 to a heathen land, and her subjection to the hardships and sufferings of a 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 a crown of righteousness brightened by the acclamations of praise which shall resound to her Saviour from heathens saved, through her means, from eternal woe and despair?” (p. 83)
  • “The motto of every missionary, whether preacher, printer, or schoolmaster, ought to be ‘Devoted for life.'”” (p. 409)
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Other Sources

Related biographies include…

Adoniram Judson is highlighted in Daring Devotion, Introduction and Day 3. His first wife Ann’s story is in Daring Dependence, Day 29. His second wife Sarah’s testimony is in Daring Devotion, Day 11.