The Karens by H. H. VOTAW

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 7, 1911

The Karens

By H. H. VOTAW

H. H. VOTAW

It is more than seven years since the first plea was made for some one to begin work for the Karens. During a visit to Burma, Elder J. L. Shaw became interested in this nation, and wrote telling of the openings for Christian missions among them. The following year Brother L. F. Hansen and I wrote several articles for our periodicals, calling attention to the fact that even new tribes of Karens were being found at this late day which held the same traditions that those already known held, thus being especially susceptible to gospel influences.

Again and again in the last six years, the workers in Burma have written appeals for a man and his wife to be sent to work among this neglected people. At each biennial conference of the India Mission a resolution has been passed asking for such help. This call is the longest unanswered call of any sent from this field. At the last meeting of the advisory board of the India Mission, an action was taken asking me to write again for the REVIEW, setting forth the reasons that seem to make it imperative that we begin work without further delay.

It is admitted, I believe, by all that the traditions of the Karens make them more ready to receive the good tidings than any other heathen tribe in the world. They say that their demon-worship is inspired only by fear, because the knowledge of the great God was taken from them, owing to their sins. They say that he promised again to reveal himself to them. They expected that this would be done by fair-faced messengers from the West. They have preserved an account of the creation that is much like that of the Biblical record. The flood is also remembered in their folk-lore. Other things, I am told, indicate that they must once have had light upon things that are taught in the Word.

In the days of the Burmese kings, the Karens suffered much from the rulers. The result was that they hid away in the hills. Since the British have ruled, and they have found security in the more fertile plains, many, thrown into contact with the Burman Buddhists, have accepted Buddhism. Such are much harder to reach with Christianity than are their demon-worshiping brethren. Why should we wait?

From the borders of Siam on the south, to the undefined territory to the north of Burma, fragments of this interesting people are found. Being without a written language till the missionaries began work for them, differences have sprung up; and yet it is said that the person who knows one of the dialects can readily learn others.

It was among the Karens near Moulmein that Dr. Judson and his associates first labored. There they gathered the

first-fruits of the harvest of the Karens. The last branch of the tribe to be found is located many days' journey from the railway, partly in Burmese and partly in Chinese territory, away in the north. The Baptist missionary who wrote concerning these latter ones, reported that he had had inquirers come from a distance of ten days' journey in opposite directions from his mission stations.

Recently a Karen man was persecuted and brought before the civil court by some missionaries. He had been excommunicated for teaching that the coming of the Lord is near at hand. I could not help feeling that if our people hold their peace, even the stones may cry out the warning. We may refuse to send help, but we shall be the losers.

The one who comes should be prepared to undergo some privation. The Karens are located farther from the centers of population than the Burmese, on the whole. Many things may be more difficult to obtain, and comforts will have to be sacrificed; but it will pay.

One thing applies to all mission work in the East, and is true of this work as well as of all the rest. The East moves slowly, and the one who comes should be prepared to wait for the fruit to appear without becoming discouraged.

I would to God that this word of appeal might result in some consecrated man and wife responding. Who will be the apostle to the Karens? Who is willing to forsake home and friends now for the sake of gathering up the fragments of the Karen tribes, teaching them again to love the God whom they have all but forgotten, and at last presenting them as trophies of Christ's power to save, when he appears to gather his elect from every nation, kindred, tribe, and people?