Straits Settlements by G. F. JONES

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Jun 22, 1905

Straits Settlements

By G. F. JONES

SINGAPORE.—We are glad to have entered this large city of many nationalities. There is a very great work to do here, and we are praying that more help will speedily come. We have to face the problem of reaching all nations in this city, therefore it is a very important center for our work in the East. The majority of the Chinese using the Malay tongue, eagerly take the educational advantages offered by the different denominations here, and by the government. They are industrious and persevering, and with this education are employed in all banks and mercantile offices as clerks. Many are not averse to Christianity, but, through fear of breaking ancestral ties, they remain in heathenism. The Chinese are among the richest people of Singapore, and such help as we are able to give them by medical missionary work they would gladly welcome. Several of the Europeans have told us that a good sanitarium would do well here, as it is very necessary. The truth of this statement is seen by the willingness of the people to take the Australasian Good Health. And although the missionaries are working up a strong prejudice against us, we are finding substantial friends by means of the health journal. Truly, medical missionary work is the “right arm of the message.”

No time should be lost in establishing the medical work here. We trust that the needs of this pivotal center of our

island work in all its branches will be considered and supplied very soon.

Brother Munson’s last letter from Sumatra tells of an invitation to us by the resident to work among a hill tribe of twenty thousand living in forty villages, hitherto unentered by any denomination. This is an opportunity which we think must not be overlooked. And, furthermore, in two months from now the resident will visit them and encourage them to build a missionary’s house and schools, ready for us. Here is a work waiting for us, and it is expected that we shall take it up. Shall we fill this opening? We hear a distinct voice in this, saying, “Come over and help us.”

A small printing-press is needed here to print our tracts and a small paper in the Malay tongue. Penang and other important cities are as ready for our work as Singapore. We are overwhelmed at the magnitude of the work to be done, but rejoice in the hope that there shall be delay no longer.

An interest has begun here, and it is spreading before us. We are eagerly pressing on. A few are considering the importance of obedience; and when a real beginning has been made, others will not be so shy to identify themselves with a peculiar people.

Our climate is a moist heat, and enervating; but the evenings are pleasantly cool, redeeming the effects of the hot day. I have seen thus far that we are blessed with far better health than the majority of the people, not excepting the very native in his own climate. God is fulfilling his promise.

G. F. JONES.