Siam was the first nation of the Far East to make a treaty
voluntarily with Europe. Siam was the first Asiatic power with
which the United States entered into diplomatic relations. Siam was
the first Oriental people to adopt Western customs, upon accession
of King Chulalongkorn, in 1868. Siam was the first non-Christian
land to grant religious liberty to its subjects in relation to
Christian missions, in 1870.
Siam was the first field entered by the Presbyterian Board of
Foreign Missions after its organisation. In Siam was organised the
first Protestant church of Chinese Christians. In Siam the first
zenana mission work was undertaken. Siam is the last independent
state in which Buddhism is the established religion.
Yet Siam is little known to Western people. She is neither
belligerent nor turbulent, therefore offers no military spectacle.
She has no foreign ambitions, therefore arouses no diplomatic
concern. Her trade is largely with China, therefore she makes no
impress upon the commercial mind of the west. She lies off the
beaten path of world traffic, therefore tourists seldom visit the
land.
[Illustration:
Sketch of
SIAM
as of 1847 et seq.