A Visit to Burma by J. L. SHAW

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 9, 1908

A Visit to Burma

By J. L. SHAW

J. L. SHAW

In harmony with plans laid at our council in Calcutta in November, the writer left the Mountain Mission Home on March 4, to visit Burma. This journey covered nearly five thousand miles, and occupied about six weeks. Unfortunately it was postponed until the heated season began. As we descended from our cool and pleasant mission in the mountains, the hot air of the plains soon made us feel that India's long summer had begun. The intensity of the heat during this part of the year none know but those who have experienced it. Dr. H. C. Menkel accompanied me as far as Calcutta.

For more than a month we had been in Mussoorie, looking for a location for a sanitarium in the mountains. It had been a trying yet blessed experience. So little did we know of conditions, and what might be a suitable location for a sanitarium, and so continuously were we baffled in our efforts to find the right place, that we were brought several times daily to our knees to ask God for wisdom lest a mistake be made. No sooner would what seemed to be a favorable property be found, than something intervened, and it could not be leased. Days and weeks passed, and nothing seemed to be accomplished, save the trying of our faith. In the end, however, prayer was answered. A suitable place was found, and our souls were greatly encouraged in God.

One Sabbath was spent in Calcutta with the church and workers at the sanitarium bath and treatment rooms. We found all of good courage. The fervent testimony of a blind brother who had recently accepted the truth greatly rejoiced our hearts; the glorious advent hope had taken hold of his soul. We were glad to find the sanitarium treatment rooms doing better than in previous years. About eight years ago the sanitarium work was started in Calcutta, and carried forward under exceedingly trying circumstances. The hot, damp climate made the work difficult for workers of northern birth, and a number lost their health, and some their lives, in the heroic effort to found a sanitarium in India. The excessive rent and the keen competition of government hospitals, have also hindered the work. Because of these conditions it was finally decided to move the sanitarium to the mountains of Mussoorie, and to continue only the treatment rooms in Calcutta, both of which plans at this writing seemed well advised. The Mussoorie Sanitarium, which has just been started, though small, has about all it can accommodate, and more than its corps of workers is able to care for; and the bath and treatment rooms of Calcutta have been doing unusually well, being able to clear off some of the indebtedness.

From Calcutta Dr. Menkel returned to Mussoorie to join his band of workers, and to make ready to open the Mussoorie Sanitarium. The writer proceeded on his way across the Bay of Bengal to Rangoon, which is seven hundred fifty miles distant, a journey of three days by mail steamer. At this season of the year the bay is smooth. The new turbine boats, lately introduced, make the journey in a shorter time than formerly.

It was a pleasure to be once again in Rangoon after an absence of nearly four years. I like the city. It has an air of thrift and energy about it not often seen in the Orient. The city has grown immensely the last few years. Again we found ourselves mingling with the Burmese people. As a race they are good-natured and happy, love to dress when they can afford it, and spend money freely. A writer on Burma says, “To the eye of one who has just landed in Rangoon, each individual seems to have arrayed himself as fantastically as possible, or to have gone to the other extreme, and failed to array himself at all.”

We were glad to see Elder H. H. Votaw and wife and Brother and Sister Cook. These gave us a very cordial welcome to Burma. The work was started in Rangoon about six years ago. For more than three years Brother and Sister Votaw have labored in the trying heat of this city, yet with very definite results. A thriving little company of Sabbath-keepers has been raised up, and one year ago they were organized into our first church in Burma,—an evidence that the work of reform begun by Judson nearly a century ago is still moving onward.

Two days after arriving in Rangoon, it seemed best to go to Moulmein, where Dr. Ollie Oberholtzer has been working alone for more than a year. The journey by water is one hundred thirty-five miles, and is usually made in nine hours. Brother Votaw and I left early Friday morning, expecting to get to Moulmein some time before Sabbath; but a fog prevented us, and we were left asleep on deck, and did not arrive in Moulmein until Sabbath, too late for Sabbath-school. We were thankful, however, to arrive safely, to find Dr. Oberholtzer of good courage, and people interested in the truth. Announcement of meetings had been made, and a few were held with good attendance. A church ought soon to be raised up in Moulmein. While there, Brother Hpo Hla's daughter was baptized.

From Moulmein we returned to Rangoon, where a short series of meetings was held. We were glad to get better acquainted with the Rangoon church. Their zeal was inspiring. God blessed us while together. We were sorry, however, to leave several dear souls still in the balance. How to keep the Sabbath and gain a livelihood is a larger problem in Burma than in more prosperous America.

In company with Brother and Sister Votaw, I then went to Meiktilla, some three hundred miles north of Rangoon, where some meetings had been held a few weeks before, and a little company of five had begun the observance of the Sabbath. One family came fifteen miles by train to meet us, bringing a good supply of bale (sherbet) to quench our thirst, a cooling drink not to be despised when the thermometer keeps continuously above the one-hundred-degree mark and many times reaches 120° or 130°. Even more than the refreshing drink we enjoyed their lively interest in the message. The truth has taken root in northern Burma, and there is a brave little band at Meiktilla, two of whom are lawyers. We enjoyed studying the subject of spiritual gifts and the spirit of prophecy with them. They accepted all that was presented.

Sabbath, March 28, two brethren and three sisters were baptized in a beautiful lake near by. Brother Votaw performed the ceremony. Those who were baptized had made a great sacrifice. The scene was touching, and friends and relatives who beheld the ceremony were impressed. In the evening the ordinances were celebrated. The next day, though they clung to us and would study the truth further, it seemed best to return to Rangoon, where a two days' council with workers in Burma had been arranged.

Some plans were laid at this council, looking forward to the time when Burma will be organized as a separate part of the India Mission field. A committee of four persons, in conjunction with Brother Votaw, was appointed to take the needed oversight of the work in Burma, subject to the advisory board. It seemed advisable that a small branch of the International Tract Society should be opened up in Rangoon, in order that time may be saved in filling orders in that field, and that those who are working in Burma may get in closer touch with the work in the field where they are working. A recommendation was therefore made, subject to the sanction of the advisory board, that a branch depository be opened in Rangoon. Sister Lucy Cook was appointed secretary and treasurer of the same.

Some little time was given to the consideration of our literature. It was felt by all that immediate steps should be taken toward the getting out of literature specially for the Buddhist people. It was arranged to get out a small pamphlet on the second coming of Christ for use among both Christians and Buddhists. Brother Votaw was also

requested to get matter together for a booklet on the subject of health to be sold among the Buddhist people. It seems difficult for the Buddhist to understand that there is a God who has created the heavens and the earth. Small leaflets pointing to God as the creator are therefore to be published, making clear to the Buddhist mind that this earth is not a matter of chance, but was created by an all-wise God.

We were very thankful to find the work in Burma in so prosperous a condition, and to mingle with workers so united in their efforts to advance the cause. We feel certain that the work will continue to develop in this encouraging part of the India Mission field. Though there are many perplexities, we are glad to say that the workers in Burma love the people and the work they have in hand. May God greatly bless them.

Brother and Sister Votaw returned with us to the Mountain Mission Home to secure a much-needed change. While here, Brother Votaw is getting out literature. Meanwhile Brother Cook has the oversight of the work in Rangoon and is enjoying it.

The day we left Rangoon, a few hours before our boat sailed, Miss Orr and Miss Haegert arrived from Madras. It was a pleasure to see these workers again. For more than a year they have been going from one place to another in south India, selling our books and papers. Their presence and help in Burma will give confidence and strength to the work. They are now in Moulmein with Dr. Oberholtzer.

Mussoorie, India.