Quaint, old-time title pages sought to present an epitome of the
contents of the volume. While the name of Dr. House occupies the
sole post of honour on this present title page, none would be more
urgent than he to have that place shared by his wife, Harriet
Pettit House, and her assistant, Arabella Anderson-Noyes, and by
their godson, Boon Itt, whose achievements occupy a good share of
the pages that follow.
The essential material in this book has been drawn from the letters
and journal of Dr. House, now for the first time available for the
purpose. This material has been supplemented by correspondence with
various individuals connected with the principal persons mentioned.
The facts thus ascertained have been interpreted and amplified by
the careful reading of nearly every book in English on Siamese
subjects. For this reason, the narrative may claim to be fairly
complete and authentic.
Two reasons have prompted publication. One reason is to make
accessible valuable historical materials. In the archives of the
Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions no records covering this
period have been found other than the meagre references in the
annual reports of the Board. The diary of Dr. House’s co-worker,
Rev. Stephen Mattoon, was destroyed by fire; and, so far as is
known, no other private records for those early years are in
existence. The only primary source of information is the chapter,
“History of Missions in Siam,” from the pen of Dr. House, in
the volume _Siam and Laos_, in which his modesty has obscured
the importance of his own labours. So this book is offered as a
contribution to the history of the Church in Siam.
The other reason is that the Church is entitled to the stimulus of
the heroic examples of these godly people. Biographies, at best,
do not appeal to a large circle of readers. Missionary biographies
appeal to fewer still. However, a book that stimulates a few
hundred workers in the vineyard of the Lord may effect more good
in the long run than a book of great but passing popularity. I
venture to believe that few will read the record of the life-work
of Dr. and Mrs. House and the brief story of Boon Itt without
being quickened by the example of their persistent faith, buoyant
hopefulness, sublime trust and apostolic devotion.
Not the least worth while do I count it to be able to place this
narrative in the hands of the young Church of Siam that she may
transmit to the rising generation the story of “THE MAN WITH THE
GENTLE HEART.”
I acknowledge with appreciation the hearty encouragement of friends
to publish what my own inclination would have allowed to remain in
private manuscript. Also, I gladly state that publication would not
have been possible without the financial assistance of friends who
feel that the Church of today should have the privilege of knowing
these noble characters, but who themselves prefer to remain unnamed.