Samuel and Harriet Newell
Samuel and Harriet Newell
Harriet Newell was nineteen years old when she became part of the little
band of seven Congregational missionaries that made their way through the
unchartered waters of missions on the 19th of February, 1813. You will
remember that Adoniram and Ann Judson sailed on the Caravan at that
time. With them also sailed Samuel and Harriet Newell. Excitement must
have filled their hearts, but surely there was an underlying sorrow of
separation that would be theirs from family and friends. They seriously
questioned whether they would ever return. As the ship lay in harbor the
night before sailing, Harriet Newell took pen in hand and wrote her mother
as sweet a letter as possible. I thought you would appreciate reading it
yourself:
"Here am I, my dear mother, on board the brig Caravan in a neat little
cabin. . . . I have at length taken leave of the land of my forefathers
and entered the vessel which will be my place of residence till I reach the
desired haven. Think not, my dear mother, that we are sitting in silent
sorrow, strangers to peace. O, no; though the idea that I have left you,
to see you no more, is painful indeed, yet I think I can say that I have
found the grace of my Redeemer sufficient for me-his strength has been made
perfect in my weakness. We have been engaged in singing this evening, and
can you believe me when I tell you that I never engaged in this delightful
part of worship with greater pleasure? . . . I never shall repay you, my
dear mother, for all the kindness and love you have shown me thus far in
life. Accept my sincere thanks for every favor, and O, forgive me for so
often causing you pain and anxiety. May the Almighty reward you a
hundred-fold for your kindness to me. And now, my dear mother, what more
shall I say but ask you to pray for me and engage other Christians to do
the same . . . . It is late-I must retire-dear mother, adieu."
You know the story of the rejection by the East India Company of the
missionaries in India. The Newells had left India for the Isle of France
the next August, and the ship they took was battered unmercifully by winds
and waves, and thus the journey was three long months. Far out in the
Indian Ocean a baby girl was born to Harriet. She was given her mother's
name, and the young couple rejoiced temporarily. But the weather turned to
cold rain, and the baby took sick and died. Soon thereafter the young
mother fell ill. In time they arrived at port and a Danish doctor was
secured to minister to Harriet, but it was in vain. Samuel sat at her
bedside day and night trying to catch her every word. She said, "Tell my
dear mother how much Harriet loved her. Tell her to look to God and keep
near to him and he will support and comfort her in all her trials. Tell my
brothers and sisters from the lips of their dying sister, that there is
nothing but Christ worth living for. Tell them, and also my dear mother,
that I have never regretted leaving my native land for the cause of Christ."
Soon thereafter Harriet died as Samuel sat helplessly at her side. In a
strange land Samuel buried his wife without a friend to stand by his
side. She was the first American to give her life for the cause of
worldwide missions!
