Your ShelfYour Projects

Burma

25%

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 14, 1909

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 86, No. 41.

Read the full edition

Burma

By H. H. Votaw

IN the matter of our literature in Burma, God has signally worked for us. It is difficult to sell sufficient small tracts and pamphlets to make a livelihood, but a brother was especially burdened to labor in this way. All over Burma the government has rest houses, where the officers can stop when traveling. I went to the government, and asked if our brother canvasser might have the same privilege. I approached the governor's assistant secretary first, and he said, “That is a pretty tall order.” That dampened my enthusiasm a little; but the more I thought about it, the more firm was my faith that God still works in the affairs of men; so I went to the chief secretary, who gave me a very kind hearing, and said, “Write it out.” And when I wrote it out and sent it in, the reply came that the governor in counsel is pleased to grant the request that this brother be allowed to occupy the bungalow free of charge.
Just before coming away [to attend General Conference] one of the sisters in our church came to me and said, “I was very much impressed in talking with my tailor who sews for me. He said, ‘Mistress, many things in the world aren't right to-day.’ I said, ‘Yes, what do you mean?’ He said, ‘The Chris­tians do many things that the Bible prohibits. They aren't careful even in matters of eating and drinking, and you know to a Mohammedan a pig is the filthiest thing in the world.’ Then he said something upon another subject, using a term in his language meaning that it is time for him to appear. I said, ‘Whom do you mean? Mohammed?’ ‘O, no,’ he replied, ‘I mean Jesus Christ.’”
The Mohammedans are expecting Christ. I have talked with many educated Mohammedans, and they have told me that it is almost time for Jesus Christ to come and set things right. Isn't God going before us to prepare the nations for this message that we bear? I do not see how we as a people can listen to the suggestion of the enemy that God can not finish this work. Brethren, we make a fatal mistake if we try to limit the power of God. When I think of what there is to be done, it seems impossible; but when we turn to the infinite power of God, it seems as easy as can be, and God places before us those things which show that the end is approaching, and that very rapidly. H. H. VOTAW.