AMONG THE LAOS TRIBES

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 15, 1902

AMONG THE LAOS TRIBES.

In northern Siam, with its tropical jungles, its picturesque mountain scenery, its fertile plains and narrow gorges, its streams abounding in rapids, and withal its seclusion from many of the commercial advantages and the corrupting influences of modern civilization, dwell the Laos tribes, occupying several provinces tributary to the king of Siam. Buddhism is the religion of the land. The people are described as simple in their style of living, and "affectionate, and domestic in their tastes," loving "not only their own children, but children generally."

Between forty and fifty years ago, missionary work was begun among the Laos tribes. As usual, work in medical, educational, and publishing lines has been given attention. Hon. Hamilton King, U. S. minister resident and consul-general to Siam, recently visited this section of the country, and in a letter to the Independent he gives the result of his observation of the work being done there. He says:—

From the first the medical work has been given a prominent place, and has proved a valuable auxiliary; . . . and untold numbers of lives have been saved during the last third of a century. The loathsome disease of goitre abounds in this country and to the north, and from the infancy of the mission a splendid work has been done in alleviating the sufferings caused by this disease. Work among the lepers, many of whom are found in this country, has been prosecuted for the last seven years, and much good is being done. . . . The missionary physician has free access to every home in northern Siam.

For many years past the medical work has enjoyed the favor of the rulers. . . . Prince Damerong, Minister of the Interior, told Mr. King, "I want to say to you that I have great respect for your American missionaries in our country, and appreciate very highly the work they are doing for our people."

The missionaries have established schools for both boys and girls.

At Chiengmai there is "a well-equipped printing-house; and during the past year over a million and a half pages have been printed by this establishment, and 25,000 books and tracts have gone into the hands of the people. . . . Aside from the influence of the tracts and Scriptures placed in their homes, the missionary has created for this people a printed language, and is laying for them the foundation of a healthful literature."

Mr. King thus describes the influence of these agencies on the people:—

As we approached the city where the work has been longest in operation, it was interesting each day to mark the external evidences that greeted us. Each day the women that we met were more neat and trim in appearance; their clothing was more comely, their faces wore a more hopeful look, and they bore the mark of better things in their lives. The roads were better. Better-tilled fields, better-kept fences, better houses, more thrifty homes, and a general improvement in all that goes to make up a prosperous and thrifty people were evident in this province. The gardens looked more thrifty, water-wheels were doing the work of the hand,

wheeled vehicles were taking the place of the woman's pack, and all spoke of an advance.

This is the true work of the religion of Christ, to elevate and ennoble the character, and to broaden the life, making it fuller and richer, while it gives a sure hope for the future. For "godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come."

Among the elements that have made for success in this mission, Mr. King mentions two significant principles: The missionaries "show respect for those things that are sacred to the Siamese;" and, "They have the wisdom to let the Siamese govern their own people."

This is one of the fields that the truth for this time has not yet entered.