Luther Rice: Dreamer and Doer John Mark Terry John Mark Terry is the A. P. and Introduction had a violent temper and a fondness for Faye Stone Professor of Christian Mis- Luther Rice and Adoniram Judson. Writ- alcohol. Though a member of the Congre- sions and Evangelism at The Southern ers always link their names. They write of gational Church in the town of North- Baptist Theological Seminary. He joined their call to mission and their appointment borough, Massachusetts, he was not active. Southern Seminary in 1993 after as the first American foreign missionaries. Sarah Rice was a lively, intelligent extensive experience on the mission field Baptist authors wax eloquent about their woman who took great interest in her and in theological education. Dr. Terry conversion to Baptist beliefs. They tell how church as well as her family. She was care- is the author of four books, including Luther Rice came home to America to raise ful to teach her children the Scriptures, and Evangelism: A Concise History and support, and then give the rest of their required young Luther to memorize por- Church Evangelism. attention to Judson’s sacrificial service in tions of the Westminster Catechism. Burma. They ignore Luther Rice for the As a child Luther was a quick learner more sensational career of Judson. and diligent student. He was an obedient Perhaps their emphasis is natural, but child with an amiable temperament. It it seems hardly correct. It could well be that seems that he was a confident youth. When Rice made the greater contribution to Bap- he was sixteen, without consulting his par- tist missions. His indefatigable journeying ents, he contracted to travel to Georgia to and heartfelt appeals awakened Baptists to secure lumber for ship building. This trip their responsibilities to a world in need. lasted about six months, and the task was Rice’s career may have been more mun- completed satisfactorily. The family was dane, but it was no less meaningful. apprehensive that Luther would acquire This article focuses on the key period of bad habits on the trip, but these fears Rice’s life, 1813-1820: During these years proved unfounded. he sounded the trumpet call of missions, Luther’s education in the local grammar and Baptists responded. It gives a brief school and experiences on the farm pre- sketch of his life, emphasizing his promo- pared him well for life as a prosperous tion of mission support. Concern for mis- Massachusetts farmer. He had been bap- sions united Baptists in the nineteenth tized as a baby in the Northborough century. The career of Luther Rice spans Congregational Church, but was scarcely the formation of the Baptist denomination interested in spiritual matters. In his nine- in the United States and the development teenth year, this young farmer began of many of its institutions and ministries. reading a biography of John Newton, the Looking to our roots is salutary, and our slave-ship captain who became a pastor Baptist roots are quite instructive. and hymn writer. As Luther began a long spiritual quest, he was pained by the Luther Rice’s Early Years results of self-examination. He wrote a On March 25, 1783, Luther Rice was friend: born the ninth child to Amos and Sarah Rice. Amos Rice was known as “Captain” When I became convinced that I had not experienced a change of heart, Rice because of his long service in the Con- convinced too, that such a change tinental Army. He was a man of excess. He was essential to happiness … and 40 saw, too, clearly that I ought to love for college. He studied three years at the God, and possess absolute submis- sion to his holy will; I was reduced Leicester Academy to prepare himself for unavoidably to keen anguish and college. To defray the expenses of his very great distress…spent most of schooling, he taught in a day school and my time, in literally weeping and wailing…it did also seem to me that gave singing lessons at night. During this if I should find mercy and deliver- time period he led prayer meetings in pri- ance from the wrath to come, I would vate homes. endeavor to rescue others from the same most wretched condition.1 Luther must have done well in his stud- ies because, when he entered Williams Rice continued in his spiritual distress College in 1807, he did so well on the for about two years. His anguish disturbed entrance test he was enrolled as a sopho- his sleep and injured his health. Luther’s more. While at college, Rice was licensed friends became alarmed. to preach by the Mountain Association, Berkshire County, Massachusetts.3 At Wil- At length the period of deliverance liams College, the novice preacher found drew nigh…I felt that I should be a group of students fervently interested in willing thus to put a blank into the hand of God, to be by him filled as missions. Samuel Mills led in the organi- he might please!…I was absolutely at zation of the Sol Oriens Society at the the disposal of God; and should know the details of my destiny just college in 1808. The society developed out as the same should be developed. of a weekly prayer meeting for campus And I found in this disposition of revival. The group soon changed their absolute unreserved submission to the will of God, a sweet and blessed name to the Society of Brethren, and their tranquility.2 main concern was to encourage the con- version of the heathen through the effort Finally, peace came to Luther. He united of society members. When the members with the Congregational Church at North- graduated from Williams, they formed a borough on March 14, 1802, just before his similar society at Andover Seminary. Their twentieth birthday. He became an active “Society of Inquirey on the Subject of Mis- member of the church. His industry in sions” became a model for many other stu- organizing home prayer meetings dent groups. Charles Chaney notes, “What aroused antipathy and distrust among was born in spiritual awakening was chan- many neighbors and church members, but neled into the missionary enterprise.”4 he was not easily discouraged. Luther Rice was an active member of the At the time of his conversion, Rice was missions society. Missions was often on his working with his father on the farm and mind as he went about his activities. He had no plans to leave his work. As the later wrote this account of his decision to youngest son, everyone assumed he would become a missionary: stay on the farm and care for his parents in their old age. A local pastor, however, It was during a solitary walk in the suggested that Luther attend college to woods, behind the college, while meditating and praying on the sub- prepare for ministry. The suggestion aston- ject, and feeling half inclined to give ished the young farmer, but the idea capti- it up, that the command of Christ, “Go into all the world and preach the vated him. Not long after, against his gospel to every creature,” was pre- father’s wishes, Luther began to prepare sented to my mind with such clear- ness and power that I came to a full 41 5 decision. tioned the Board of Commissioners for appointment, but they were hesitant He remembered soon after, “I have delib- because of lack of funds. As Judson later erately made up my mind to preach the related, gospel to the heathen…I do not know but it may be in Asia.”6 They gave him leave, on condition that he would occasion them no additional expense, but provide for Luther Rice the Missionary his own outfit, and raise the money In June 1810, Gordon Hall, a recent for his passage. With this hard con- graduate, returned to Andover Seminary dition he cheerfully complied, and immediately started on horseback, to consult with the faculty about devoting and traveled day and night, though himself to missionary service. He had been in the depth of winter, to raise the 7 greatly influenced by the published reports needful sum. from William Carey in India. Hall’s arrival Rice raised the money in only six days, greatly excited the members of the mis- appearing tired, but fully financed at the sions society. Adoniram Judson addressed group’s ordination service at the Taber- a letter to the General Association of nacle Church, Salem, Massachusetts on Massachusetts (Congregational ministers), February 6, 1812. which was meeting in Bradford the same The ordination service was inspiring week. Judson, Samuel Nott, Jr., Samuel J. even for the weary Luther Rice. Leonard Mills, Samuel Newell, James Richards, and Woods preached the sermon. Samuel Luther Rice all volunteered their services Spring gave the charge. He concluded his as missionaries. Later the group feared that message— their number might overwhelm the asso- ciation; therefore, the names of Richards Go then, with the tender compan- and Rice were deleted. ions of your bosoms, like pilgrims Perhaps one reason Rice allowed his and strangers, and lay your bodies by the side of Ziegenbalg and Swartz, name to be stricken from the list was an that you may meet them and Eliot unresolved love affair. He was engaged to and Brainerd, and all other faithful Rebecca Eaton, a pious young school missionaries in the realms of light, and so be ever with the Lord. We, in teacher from a fine family. Luther spent the mean time, will pray, that the sal- months trying to persuade her to accom- vation of souls may be your joy, and pany him to the mission field.