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Experiences in Burma

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 28, 1910

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 87, No. 17.

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Experiences in Burma

By Ollie Oberholtzer

OLLIE OBERHOLTZER, M. D.
The rains this year have been unusually heavy, nearly two hundred fifty inches having fallen, and have continued two months longer than usual. The work can not be carried on so actively, and sometimes we feel that a great deal of time is wasted. Ten days of rain, when the water pours down in torrents day and night, is not the most pleasant experience. During our heaviest rain I had a class of five or six that came daily for Bible study. Two were Buddhists. The others had made a profession of the Christian religion. One young man, on being questioned as to where he was going every day during his vacation, and thus not being able to join the others in their sports, answered that he was coming to my place to study the Bible. The boys made light of him; his teacher warned him. He told them he was only studying the Bible, and he could not see how that could hurt him.
It is quite laughable at times to see the vague idea the people have of Americans. One day a boy, walking with his father, said, “Father, I thought the Americans were all aborigines, but I do not think our doctor is.” Evidently he thought I was superior to most Americans. At another time a Chinaman said, “O, you are an American! I do like the Americans. They all have such good hearts.” Then he asked if all are missionaries. I had to tell him not all of them are.
The thorns among the roses are no sharper here than at other places. And there are just as many roses, and at times I think they are of a sweeter fragrance than those in many other places.
Some time ago I visited Amherst. Here lies the body of Ann Hasseltine Judson. As I stood by that silent grave that has stood as a monument to the Christian religion since 1826, I tried to realize something of the difference in laboring in Burma to-day, under English rule and modern conveniences, and one hundred years ago under Burmese government. Surely the Lord has gone before this message, and prepared the way. I lifted my heart to him in prayer for more of that patient, forbearing, persevering spirit that characterized the life of Ann Hasseltine Judson. While in Amherst, I stopped at the old Baptist mission home, which was built more than sixty years ago. Here I found many old relics, brought years ago from America by some missionary. Among them was an old book of daily reading, bought by a missionary in Calcutta on her way to Burma in 1835. Under different dates, I read the following:—
“Another year is past; a doubtful few remain. Reflect, my soul, upon what hast thou done eternal life to gain.” —Dec. 31, 1837.
“Hitherto the Lord has helped me.” —Dec. 31, 1856.
“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me.”—Dec. 31, 1878.
“The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me. Praise the Lord.”—Dec. 31, 1879.
“Thus far the Lord has led me.”—Dec. 31, 1882.
“Goodness and mercy have followed me all the days of my life. Lord, help me to finish my course with joy.”—Dec. 31, 1888.
This last was penned but a short time before her death. I do not suppose the contents of this little book were written for others to read; but, as they spoke volumes to me, I thought they would help some one else. Though this woman lies silent in death, her children and grandchildren are carrying on her work. When I meet people who have labored here for years and years to bring a knowledge of the true God to this people, and know that this message must reach them, how to do this as the Lord would have it done, is a problem not easily solved. If the people at home could realize how much the workers in the dark corners of the earth need wisdom and strength, there would be a more earnest cry to God raised in their behalf.
One woman who has been laboring in Burma more than forty years, said to me: “While I do not like your doctrine, I love your missionaries; and there is one point in which I can join hands with you—the second coming of Christ.” She asked me for some literature upon the subject, and said her experience was that she could get the interest of the natives more easily by talking of the second coming of Christ than in any other way. I gave her a Burmese tract. She began to read it to a man for whom she has been laboring for some time. He became so interested that he did not want her to stop reading, and was deeply disappointed afterward to find she had given the tract away before he had heard it all; but she promised she would secure another copy for him.
Another day a Burmese man from a distant village called upon this woman. As she could not see him until the afternoon, she gave him a copy of the above-mentioned tract, and asked him to go to a Christian’s house, read it, and return to her in the afternoon. He returned, much exercised in mind, and said, “Is this all true? If so, how is it I have lived here all these years and no one has told me, although I meet Christians almost every day?” When we see these great masses of people with their babel of tongues, steeped in ignorance and superstition, and remember that before the end they are to hear the message, it takes faith of no ordinary kind to believe this will be accomplished in a short time. But the Lord is able to bring this about. The work in Burma is onward. When I arrived here two and one-half years ago, in Rangoon was a little Sabbath-school of about fifteen members. Now their hall is quite well filled with as earnest a company of believers as you will find anywhere,—a company who demonstrate, by their offerings, that they love this message. There are also Sabbath-schools in Moulmein and Meiktila.
Of late I have been doing some work in the Rangoon church, and the eagerness shown to have me call and talk on health principles demonstrates their interest in this part of the message. I also visited Meiktila, in Upper Burma. Here I met Mohammedans, Burmese, and natives of India, anxious to learn the message of health. In Meiktila there is a real interest springing up among the Buddhists to know more about our religion. One man ordered a Bible. We find here, as well as at home, healthful living is the opening wedge.
On my return home, I stopped a few days in Rangoon. While there, an intelligent native called. He had had much difficulty in finding us. He wanted to purchase health literature. He is a strict vegetarian, and that fact seemed to form a bond of sympathy between us, and he looked to us for instruction. After he had secured his books, I found, in the course of conversation, that he was quite well informed. He begged us to visit his village upon his return from a three months’ vacation. We thought of course he was a Christian, and asked him to what church he belonged. “O,” he said, “I am a Hindu, but desire to learn.” We gave him a supply of health literature, and also the Oriental Watchman. He wrote me that he had read all, and then passed them on to others to read. He holds a good government position, and assures us that he will gather the people together to hear us, if we will come to his place.
About the same time, we learned of a woman who had begun keeping the Sabbath by reading some tracts and the Oriental Watchman, and was calling for some one to teach her more fully. It was thought best that I visit her, as, while instructing her, I could have a change to a dry zone. August 1 I started for Pagan, the capital of the old Burmese dynasty. This is a place of great interest to tourists. Here are ruins of buildings erected eight hundred years ago. At one time thirteen pagodas adorned the surrounding hills, while many had fallen to ruins. Even now, as far as the eye can see, are lofty pagodas. Bricks are constantly being unearthed with the history of one thousand years ago. I could not help but think of a time in the near future when there will be a terrible shaking among those old bricks, and when the image of Buddha, standing so grand and tall to-day, about thirty feet high, covered with gold, will be prostrated, as was Dagon.
It was with just a little misgiving that I started on a trip of day and night by train, and one day by boat, to teach one woman. When I arrived, I found her much surprised to see me, as she had written for me not to come, since her husband had been transferred, and they had their belongings all packed, ready to move, but were waiting until their relief came. But she said if I could stay with the house so torn up, we could study just the same. I assured her that did not in the least inconvenience me,and my object was to study the Bible. Then she said, “I am so glad to meet you. Since May 15 I have been keeping the Sabbath, and as soon as my friends heard it, they began flooding me with letters telling me how wrong I was, until I just began to wonder, and only this morning I went into my room and asked God to make it plain to me to-day in some way if the Sabbath is right. Now here you have so unexpectedly come, I take this as a direct answer to my prayer.” I remained ten days. The day before I was to leave, their relief came, and the next day they moved to their new post of duty.
In many places there are calls for me to go into homes to teach the truth. People have been reading the Oriental Watchman for years, in some instances living in places where there are only a few European families, hearing no preaching, and many such are anxious to have some one come. While some of the calls are very important, yet since I have had so much of the language study, it does not seem the correct thing for me to leave the Burmese work, with millions of these people sitting in darkness, and as yet only two laborers even studying the language, to fill these urgent calls. What Burma needs is a good lady Bible worker, yes, two. In Rangoon one could have all she could do holding Bible studies in nice, pleasant homes of people who are anxious to know the truth. One person would be busy following up these calls from districts where a minister seldom is heard. Can we not have these helpers? We thank the Lord for the assistance that is on the way; you have no idea how we look forward to her coming. Brother R. R. Cook was here a few days ago, and as work has been a little more tiring than usual, and I felt myself giving way, I told him I did not believe I could hold out two months longer, if it were not that relief was in sight.
We are now entering our cool season; and although I have not been so well, I am feeling much better, and with cool weather and the coming help, I shall soon be well again. [Later.—Since this was written, the lady helper Sister Oberholtzer was so anxiously looking for to join her in her work actually reached Burma, but you can imagine the severe trial it caused this faithful servant of the Lord, to experience the help and companionship of this new worker for a short time, and then see her fail in health, and soon after obey the physician’s verdict to “return to America.” It was so hard to bear, but Dr. Oberholtzer remained at her post, and is waiting now for other assistance to reach her.—Ed.]
Moulmein.