Burma by Heber H. Votaw

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Mar 29, 1906

Burma

By Heber H. Votaw

INSEIN.—Upon my return to Rangoon from Moulmein I found Brother and Sister Hansen fairly swamped in work. The medical work is keeping them very busy at present. They are also doing evangelical work. Brother Hansen has given over to me a part of his Bible readers. I believe he has written concerning the pastor who is studying with us. He is still coming to us three times a week. Just now we are in the midst of the Sabbath question. God has stirred this man's heart, and we are praying that he may obey fully. He has been in Burma for about twenty-five years, and is a very active, vigorous man still.

One man has recently begun to keep the Sabbath through reading the Oriental Watchman. He is not instructed in the other points as yet, but we hope to hold studies with him soon.

Three young Burmese women who have been attending the Sabbath-school for some time, have very recently begun properly to observe the Sabbath. They show evidences of a good work being done in their hearts, and we hope ere-long to baptize them. One is from a Buddhist family, but has been staying with one of our sisters for some time.

Soon after our arrival here, a missionary told me that if I baptized only those who gave up the use of tobacco, I would never be overworked. I bless God that his power is just as great in Burma as in America, and already we have seen several stop the filthy habit. God is endeavoring to have us ready for the “glorious appearing,” and every man that has this hope purifieth himself.

I have learned of an aged brother down at Tavoy who is keeping the Sabbath. I hope during this dry season to make a trip to that place.

The great cry in these fields is for some one to stay with the converts, and teach them; and so much has this been done by other churches, that we find the people afraid to try to stand alone. The most telling thing that the enemy uses is, “Soon your teacher will leave you, and then you will have no church to go to.” We are sowing the seed of personal trust in God. We seek to have all understand that God loves the laity as much as the teachers, and will hear the prayers of one as quickly as of the other.

Moulmein was the first capital of British Burma. But since the transference of governmental offices to Rangoon, the former city has ‘died.’ To give you an idea of it, let me describe the city. There are seventy thousand inhabitants, not a railroad, not a street-car line, mail arrives three times a week only, not a four-story building in the place. It is built along the river front, and is about seven miles long, but a range of hills hems in the town on the back so closely that its greatest width is but little over one-half mile. The Baptists first secured a real foothold in the city and its vicinity. After Dr. Judson found it unadvisable to stay longer in the territory of Burmese kings, he located in Moulmein, which was at that time in the hands of the British. It is near here—at Amherst—that his first wife lies buried. As we entered the river (Moulmein lies some twenty-eight miles from the sea), we could see the village of Amherst off to the east. We hoped to visit it, but did not have an opportunity to do so. The only means of reaching it was by a large rowboat; and it would have taken all night to go, consequently we deferred our visit. We had the privilege of meeting one of the very, very few persons who still live to whom Dr. Judson administered baptism. This woman—Pwa Hla by name—is the mother of our Brother Maung Maung. She has reached the advanced age of ninety-three, I believe. As I looked at her kindly old face, and compared it with those who have been idolaters all their lives, I was convinced

anew that the religion of Jesus Christ is infinitely superior to all the combined philosophies of the East, in its power to transform sinners.

We are well, and of good courage. The plague has abated somewhat, but cholera has broken out. This but helps us to remember that God is our keeper.

HEBER H. VOTAW.