1840 LUTHER RICE. Rare Adoniram Judson Co-Worker, Haystack Revival, Baptist Missionary

Very rare first, and only edition of the Memoir of Luther Rice [1783-1836]. During the Haystack Prayer Revival, he sensed a call to missions and traveled out with Adoniram Judson in 1812. Along with Judson, he was convinced of believer's immersion. While in India, they met William Carey, etc., But they were in a precarious financial situation.

It was decided that Judson would stay in India and Rice would travel home, break ties with the Congregationalists, join them to the Baptists, and begin raising funds for Judson. It turned out this was his sweet spot; he spent the rest of his life organizing, recruiting, and raising funds for the early Baptist Missionary Society in America. 

Excellent content on the revival, Adoniram Judson, early Baptist missions, etc., 

Additionally, a fascinating provenance. This copy is signed twice by Albert Thornhill. Thornhill was an elder at Liberty Baptist Church in Virginia. He helped oversee the formation of one of the first "negro" Baptist churches in the state. It was recorded in their minutes that in 1866 the negro members of the Church came and presented a plan to start their own church. Thornhill helped Albert Johnson acquire a preaching license with the Baptists and within the year, Johnson was Ordained and the pastor of Springfield Baptist Church [Colored]. 

[Luther Rice]. Memoir of Rev. Luther Rice. One of the First American Missionaries to the East. Baltimore. Armstrong and Berry. 1840. First Edition. 344pp

Good -. Rubbed, as shown, small section of spine neatly relaid as shown. Front matter heavily toned with light stains. One page of text very wrinkled somewhat inexplicably, not impacting legibility. Foxing throughout. First signature forward in binding. Solid and usable.