The Burmese Elder’s Tithe
I, Elder Loong Nan Mano, beg to show my gratitude for a certain matter. Last year I agreed with a man to work my land, he to receive one half and I one half of the produce. Some two weeks after the rice had been planted, two kinds of disease appeared on it. After these had gone on for a considerable time, Ai Noi, the man who was working the land, came and told me, “We shall not be able to eat any rice from that field this year; the neighbors’ rice is also the same way.” Then I, Elder Nan Mano, set myself to pray and to beg of the Lord Jesus that He would be pleased to help according to His power; and I begged that I might offer a tithe of the produce to the Lord. Thus I prayed every day. After some time, the man Ai Noi came again and told me, “Your rice crop has already become beautiful.” The people talked about it, wondered how it came about, and were astonished. When the rice had been reaped and thrashed, Ai Noi and myself got from that field, which took three baskets of seed, one hundred baskets each, besides what was given to hired helpers. I therefore dedicate to the Lord five rupees.—Selected.