Progress in Burma

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 10, 1907

Progress in Burma

THE following extract shows how people of a new tongue in Burma have accepted the truth. Brother L. F. Hansen, who sends this word from Rangoon, is compelled to change from the Burmese field on account of his health:—

“The interest in our work is steadily increasing. In fact, at this time there is truly a great stir in the borders of the camp. A minister (Church of England) preached recently against the Sabbath, and as his sermon was succeeded by a good shower of our tracts, the people are anything but ‘settled.’ There is an intense undercurrent that would fain develop into active persecution. Indeed, it has a slight savor of this ultimate purpose already. Both men and women discuss the Sabbath question on the trains and at the firesides.

“The entire Protestant missionary fraternity are quite united in opposing us. And as our work has come forcibly to the notice of the Lord Bishop of Rangoon by the conversion of a deacon,

for twenty years a worker in church and school, and several lay members, no small stir has been created throughout the entire episcopate, which is crystallizing into open opposition and denunciation.

“All the different societies are importing heavily of anti-Sabbath literature, which is diligently circulated. And what is true among the English-speaking population is being duplicated among the Burmans. Here Brother Maung Maung’s Burmese tracts come in good play.

“The interest of our people is great. All take hold. One sister has given two hundred rupees for tract work in Burmese. Elder Votaw is growing stronger in the battle.

“The interest in our medical work is necessarily dying out while we are bedridden. I trust some younger medical workers may be sent at an early date to take up our work, for it is a worthy field.

“We are also anxious that some young couple should be sent to take up the Karen language. It was among the Karens that Judson found a ready response to the gospel. They have no special system of religion, and their traditions teach them to look for the white man to bring them the message of hope. As fast as the Baptists can occupy the territory, their work becomes established among this people. Opposition seems unknown. And now Brother Maung Maung has found Karen Sabbath-keepers of spontaneous development. Some have kept it for two years as a result of Bible study alone. They can speak some Burmese, so Maung Maung can teach them more of this way. We must get a Karen worker to lead out in the language and work. On the China borders these people come for many days’ journey to inquire from the missionaries, and to be baptized. Scores come at one time. How different from running scores of times after one and then not getting him, to have scores come at one time, and they in turn go back and bring others.

“God is gathering from this generation the revenues of ages. His guest-house must be filled. This is the situation to-day in Farther India. And yet we can not stay to share in the harvest.”

From all sides comes the news of a stirring and an awakening among the people. It means, brethren and sisters, that the time has come when this truth is to have the attention of the world.