An Echo From the India Conference
By H. H. Voraw
On the morning following the one upon which Brother Barlow gave the account of the work among the Santals, Brother H. B. Meyers occupied the time in relating the leadings of God in connection with the opening of the work in Burma. Brother Meyers is really the pioneer of our work in the Burmese field. Even before he entered the ministry, he canvassed all the cities of Burma, and the Straits Settlements. (Do not be misled by this statement, and conclude that this is a small field; for Brother Meyers was assisted by his eldest son, and they canvassed only the Europeans and the English-speaking natives, who comprise a small portion of the entire population.) During this canvassing tour, Brother Meyers was much impressed with the character of the people, and as soon as he began preaching, he went to Rangoon to work. Immediately upon arriving, he found a young native woman who, by reading the Bible, had become convinced of the Sabbath truth, and was observing the “Sabbath according to the commandment.” She had known nothing of any people who kept the seventh day, and had taken her stand, influenced only by the Spirit of God. When, however, she learned of our work, she greatly rejoiced, and has worked most diligently in behalf of the truth. After Brother Meyers began work, this lady’s brother, Mong Mong, became convinced, and obeyed, although it caused him to lose his position in the government offices, where he was earning about eighty dollars a month. For two years he has been most faithful, and has labored unceasingly for his people. In all this time he has received no remuneration whatever, but at this conference meeting it has been decided to give him wages. I think he has proved himself worthy. His brother, a public-school inspector and highly educated man, is in the valley of decision, and he said recently that he could not stand much longer the pricking of conscience in regard to his Sabbath desecration. Altogether, there are about twenty Sabbath-keepers in Rangoon, besides some isolated ones in different places. Brother Mong Mong gave an interesting account of a conversation which he had with three ministers belonging to the American Baptist Mission. They attacked him upon the Sabbath question, and one said, “Don’t you know, Mong Mong, that in ancient Egypt Monday was reckoned as the first day of the week?” Mong Mong said to each one of them personally, “Do you think that Monday is the first day of the week?” Each man replied in the affirmative. Then he said, “Did Christ rise on Monday?” They were so beaten they would not reply. Then one of them began to quote from Canright’s “Adventism Renounced.” Mong Mong stopped him, and asked, “When you go into the pulpit to preach, do you use Canright’s book or the Bible?” The man replied, “The Bible.” “Then,” said Brother Mong Mong, “take Canright away, and stick to God’s Word, and don’t quote Canright for proof.” Last Sabbath we held the ordinances here, and after the feet-washing Brother Mong Mong said, “When my people see such humility, they will all be Christians.” This shows how impressive this service is to those who have not seen it before. I thank the Lord for giving us such services. During the conference it has been decided that we shall go to Burma. Remember us in your prayers, thinking while you pray that I shall be the only ordained minister of our faith in the Burmese field, among a population of nine million.