p. 17 | Burma by Heber H. Votaw

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Mar 15, 1906

Burma

By Heber H. Votaw

INSEIN.—We have good news to report, but I am at a loss to know how to tell it clearly. A part of the work was done by Brother and Sister Myers, some by our faithful brother, Mg. Maung, his sister, Mah May, and Brother Mg. Mya Htoon, and, lastly, we watered, and God gave some increase.

For a long time there has been an urgent, steady call from Moulmein. The rainfall is so heavy there that we were loath to go during the rainy season, especially during our first season here. But as soon as the rains stopped, we left Brother and Sister Hansen in charge of the work in Rangoon, and went to Moulmein.

We found one brother already keeping the Sabbath. He had been convinced for about a year, but has been obeying for only five or six months. He is as earnest as a man can be. He has given up tobacco, tea, etc., and spends all his time in studying and preaching the truth. He goes into the jungle villages, and preaches to Buddhist and Christian. His sister, Mah Thaue Me, was also keeping the Sabbath. They were keeping this day about as people generally observe Sunday, so our first care was to instruct them in regard to proper Sabbath observance. They received the word gladly, and upon Friday did all the work of preparation.

Another member of this family, David Hpo Hla, also accepted the message while we were there. For nearly twenty years he has been in the employ of a mission as a catechist. When I arrived in Moulmein, he came to his sister's home, where we stopped, and began asking questions. Soon we were studying together two or three hours every day. As new ones began coming in, he interpreted for me, thus he went over some of the points of our faith many times. After we had studied for some days, he came in one morning, and announced that he could not sleep at night. We thanked God, and took courage. One Sabbath we studied some points in the life of King Saul. Early Sunday morning he came over and said, “I don't want to hold another service in my church.” After some talk, he went and conducted services that day, and left his resignation for his priest, to take effect at once. The priest wrote and chided him; the bishop wrote and scolded the priest for laxity in caring for his charge; the people of the parish and the children of the school wept. But our brother's face was so bright and happy, and his whole being so joyful in the Lord, that we knew that all that was being said was not affecting him.

One woman came to our Sister Mah May, and said, “Those people have taken the best man in the church.” We have known of similar statements being made in America, as a result of the giving of the message.

Brother Hpo Hla had taken several degrees in the Masonic lodge, but before I thought of his doing so, he had withdrawn from this order. He has accepted some position with a lumber firm, where he can keep the Sabbath, and where he will be put in a quiet place suited admirably for study.

His wife is with us in the truth, and I hope his five children may all be trained in this message. As I looked at them, I longed for a school of our own.

A young lady whose parents bitterly opposed her, saw the Sabbath, and is endeavoring to keep it, but I can not say how she will do finally. She is a good Burmese scholar, and I am hoping she will be firm.

An old man came to us and acknowledged the points shown. But he is so beset by his family and church friends, that I am not sure of the results. If we can keep in touch with him, I entertain strong hopes for him yet. He seemed so earnest.

One woman, fifty years of age, and always a Buddhist, has requested baptism. She smokes, as all Burmese women do, and of course I can not baptize her yet; but we are hoping to help her to see the importance of giving this habit up. If she gains the victory, and upon questioning seems fully instructed, she will be our first fruit from Buddhism direct.

Mrs. Votaw gave much of her time to visiting and canvassing; in fact, she went whenever able, and sometimes when ill. Her burden lies in the direction of the heathen, mostly. She went with the Good Health and “Story of Daniel” to the English-speaking Burmese, and although most of them refused the book, almost all took the paper, and she embraced the opportunity to speak of Christ and of his return. Her canvassing brought into the mission more than our wages for the month spent in Moulmein.

Brother Maung Maung is now following up the interest, and we shall return soon, and then we hope to hold a baptismal

service. Our work reaches all classes. Mrs. Votaw secured orders from Jews, Mohammedans, Hindus, Buddhists, Romanists, and Protestants. God has honest ones in all, I believe.

We have received a most cordial invitation to stay with an Eurasian family when we return to Moulmein. The woman has a reputation for piety, and we hope to show them the precious and solemn message of the hour.

HEBER H. VOTAW.