Burma by HERER H. VOTAW; MRS. H. H. VOTAW

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jun 15, 1905

Burma

By HERER H. VOTAW; MRS. H. H. VOTAW

By request of the committee in Calcutta, we are now connected with the work in Burma. Thus far the weather has been mild, and we are told that it has been about as warm as it is at any time of the year. Those who have been in both Rangoon and Calcutta say that the heat is never so great in the former as in the latter place. We have a nice start in the Burmese language, and hope, by the grace of God, to be able to work directly for the Burmans inside of a year.

Already we feel a real love in our hearts for these people. They seem such a hospitable race that we soon learn to love them. We have been able to hold some Bible readings, with an interpreter, and also some with Burmese who can understand English.

Just now we are expecting to make a short trip down to Maulmain. There is considerable interest in that place. A man came to Rangoon to visit us, and inquired about some points of faith. He is a minister of the High Church of England. As he left, he gave a pressing invitation for us to come to Maulmain and hold services. He said he would get the crowd, and act as interpreter.

I never have been in a place where it seems too difficult for men to obey after being convinced. 'Government' is the overtowering giant in this country, and the height of ambition cherished by most young men is the desire to be in some branch of government employ. To embrace this message is to preclude forever the hope of being in such service. And if a man has been in this work for years, he feels that he can do nothing else. The people here do not seem possessed of the ready resources of the West. All seem to be able to do but one thing. But God has given grace to some, and they have stood most nobly for the truth.

As soon as we can handle the language properly, we hope to get out among the agriculturalists—those who are independent of employers. If once they can be convinced, they will be free to obey. To those in the field, school work seems to present the most promising results. The boys are taught by the Buddhist priests, and a large part of the teaching consists in indoctrinating them in Buddhism. If we had a school, we could easily get pupils; for the people are quick to recognize the superior training given in English schools.

HERER H. VOTAW, MRS. H. H. VOTAW.