p. 17 | Burma by Ollie Oberholtzer

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 6, 1908

Burma

By Ollie Oberholtzer

Most of my energy has been devoted to the language; and, while it is hard, I feel that the Lord has helped me thus far. I am now spending my spare time on the colloquial; for it is very different from the written language. I can understand when they speak slowly, and can say short sentences. I had a woman for interpreter; but she had no love for our people, and was an injury to the work. I have our Sister Mah May, who is free to go with me. She is energetic and consecrated.

In July she brought an old friend of hers—a civil surgeon—to see me. I found him a good, Christian man, with his heart in the missionary work. He said he had been criticized for spending so much of his time in the missionary work; but as he was pensioned, having lately retired, he could do as he wished. He had stood alone, and taught the soon coming of our Lord, so was naturally interested in our work. I was called away; but the Burmese brethren did what they could. Then Brother Votaw came over for a few days, and when I returned, I found the doctor and his wife fully in the truth as far as they had been taught. They were anxious to learn all, and to tell it to others.

The other day I was in his office, and noticed a large book on the table. He said, “This is my Tamil Bible. I have had a very intelligent Tamil here this morning, and took this Bible, and taught him these truths. The man said, ‘I am not a born Christian, but a converted one [meaning he had been converted from heathenism], but I never was taught these things; and how strange it is; for the lady who taught me was rich in Bible knowledge.’”

The Lord has his children here waiting for the truth, and he only asks us to bring it to them, and they have the language and customs, and will carry the work as we could not do for years. Dr. Cooper will be a great help. He, Mah May, and I went to give a reading to a very intelligent family last night. There was present a teacher of the government school. As they called for a reading on the Sabbath question, I gave it, and I know the Lord blessed. Never had I seen the beauty in God’s Word as I did last night. Truths flashed in my mind, and I shall look back on that night’s work as having been done by One higher than I. I felt so tired and nervous, I thought I could not go. I came away fresh and happy. Eleven were present, most of them Europeans.

I look for results here. One day when ready to go, I did not see Mah May. I inquired where she was, and was told that she had gone to a Burmese sister, to pray that the Lord would bless our work there. I thought of our home people, and wondered how many thought of two or three meeting and praying for the worker as he goes to interested ones.

I was up to Kyuklto for two months. No Christian work has ever been done

in this place of eight thousand inhabitants. I wanted so much to talk to the people, but it was little I could do. One day I was talking to an old woman and a little girl, through my interpreter. The latter upheld Buddhism. When her little brother came in, he said there was no use arguing: there was no comparison between the Christian’s God and Buddha—the Christian’s God was the true God. I asked him how he knew this. He said he had overheard some people talking. One day the parents of this boy and girl came to see me. His mother sat at my feet, took up my book of Matthew, and read three chapters, saying, “Good!” She at last asked me to give her the book. I gave her a copy of the Bible. I taught the little girl the song, “Jesus Loves Me.”

I have become quite a Burman. I can sit on a mat as easily as though I was accustomed to it all my life. My health is good. I am so glad the work is going; for soon we shall be gathered home. OLLIE OBERHOLTZER.