Mark Rogers writes about A Peculiar Proposal, Adonirum Judson’s proposal to Ann Hasseltine, and Adonirum’s letter to Ann’s father. Here’s an excerpt from Adonrium’s letter to her father:

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, 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 the crown of righteousness, brightened with the acclamations of praise which shall redound to her Saviour from heathens saved, through her means, from eternal woe and despair.

I don’t have the book handy, but I have always been struck by an account in The Baptist Heritage: Four Centuries of Baptist Witness of the commissioning of Adonirum. Ann was seated in the church while her husband was commissioned for missionary service. When it came time for Adonirum to take his vows, Ann knelt where she sat and silently took the vows with him, giving herself wholeheartedly to share in his work.