April 12, 1850. Though we are 10 days early, it is time to recall the passing of Adoniram Judson, Jr., 175 years ago on 12 April 1850. He was aboard the French vessel Aristide Marie hoping that salty sea air would renew his strength.
During the forenoon of Friday, the 12th, his countenance was that of a dying man… At three o’clock he said, in Burman, to Panapah, a native servant, “It is done: I am going.” And at fifteen minutes past four o’clock he breathed his last. “His death,“ says Mr. Ranney, “was like falling asleep. Not the movement of a muscle was perceptible, and the moment of the going out of life was indicated only by his ceasing to breath.”
A strong plank coffin was soon constructed; several buckets of sand were poured in to make it sink; and at eight o’clock in the evening the crew assembled, the larboard port was opened, and in perfect silence, broken only by the voice of the captain, all that was mortal of Dr. Judson was committed to the deep, in latitude thirteen degrees north, longitude ninety-three degrees east…” (Edward Judson, The Life of Adoniram Judson (New York: Anson D. F. Randolph & Company, 1883) p. 546.)
The Episcopal Church in America has set aside April 12 as Adoniram Judson Feast Day. You may review their litany at: TheJudsonLegacyProject.com—Entries—1900-Present—An Interlude: Adoniram Judson Feast Day.