On the 5th of February, 1812, Mr. and Mrs. Judson were married at Bradford;
on the 16th Mr. Judson and his associates were ordained in Salem, and on
the 19th they sailed for Calcutta. While on the passage, a change occurred
in the feelings and views of Mr. Judson which materially changed his whole
course. He was aware that at Serampore the Baptists had established a
mission station which was in successful operation. He knew that he should
come in contact with the peculiar views of that denomination, and be under
the necessity of replying to the objections which would be urged against
his own sentiments. His own mind was at rest upon the subject; but he
wished to be fully armed against all the arguments which he should meet on
his arrival. To prepare himself for an encounter with Dr. Carey and his
associates, he commenced the diligent study of the word of God and such
works as he had in his possession. As he advanced in his investigation,
doubts began to thicken around him; his mind, instead of being more fully
convinced, began to waver; the arguments of Baptists he did not know how to
overcome. Thus it continued for a while, until, a short time after their
arrival, Mr. and Mrs. Judson threw aside their former views of baptism, and
adopted the sentiments of another denomination. The particulars of this
change are given by Mrs. Judson in a letter to her friends. By her we are
informed that for a long time her husband's new notions did not correspond
with her own. With woman's ingenuity and skill, she sought to dissuade him
from any public statement, and even from an investigation of the subject.
She well knew to what such a step would lead. The friends who had been
so kind to her, who were then supporting her, who were willing still to
support her, would be obliged to withdraw their aid. They could not, in
conscience, support a missionary who was promulgating what they deemed an
error, and consequently would recall her husband to America. Nor was this
the worst. She had many personal friends who would be unable to appreciate
her motives and understand her true position. They would be surprised,
grieved, and perhaps offended. And to be encountered, was the odium of