UPPER BURMA | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 5, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 10.

UPPER BURMA.

The Rev. Ola Hanson, of Bhamo, Burma, missionary of the American Baptist missionary Union, thus writes to the Independent of a new mission field in Upper Burma:—

“The opening of the Burma State Railway from Mandalay to Katha marks a new era in the history of Upper Burma. A large tract of new country is now open for missionary work, but where are the workers? The whole of Upper Burma between Mandalay and Bhamo, not to speak of the country north of the last-mentioned place, on both sides of the Irrawaddy, is virtually as yet an unbroken field. An occasional visit of some missionary, to the villages along the river, has been undertaken; but nothing has been done in the interior. The workers in Mandalay, Sagaing, and Bhamo have all they can do to work the districts close at hand. What is needed is the opening of at least two new stations somewhere along the new road. The railroad, the telegraph, the tradesman, and fortune seeker, have already found their way to places where missionary work ought to have been done long ago.

“The work among the Burmans, Shans, and Kachins in Upper Burma witnesses a steady progress. A number of Burmans have been baptized recently, and the new Shan work in Nam Kam has had some additions. The Kachin language may now be regarded as being reduced to writing. It has been my joy to see a new spelling-book and catechism ready for use; and in a few weeks the Gospel of John, the first part of the Scriptures ever translated into Kachin, will be in the hands of our school-children. This, to be sure, is a small beginning, but with the blessing of God it may be a means of accomplishing great things.”

“The recent troubles in Western China have made us anxious for the welfare of our brethren across the border. A telegram (and, by the way, it is worth mentioning that telegraphic communication between Burma and the interior of China is now possible) from Mr. Smith, of the China Inland Mission, in Tali Fu, assures us, however, that they are all safe, and that no trouble is expected in that part of the country. It is, however, easy to see that their position must be a trying one. They need our prayers.

“The annual convention of the Baptists in Burma, recently held in Rangûn, was in every way a success. A healthy progress has followed the work in every part of the country; new fields have been opened; the number of baptisms are up to the average; a greater need of spiritual power, always a hopeful sign, is felt in many places. The cold season, with new opportunities for jungle work, is again inviting us to new efforts; and let us pray that this may be a year of great ingathering in every part of this needy country.”