Along with the turn of the tide in the relations of the government
there came to the workers the cheer of gathering the first fruits
from the seed of their own sowing. Though there was no evidence
of the native Siamese being interested in the Gospel, yet the
missionaries were not left without a token that their work was
honoured of God. Two years after the organisation of the church, a
Chinese convert was received. Under date of Oct., 1851, Dr. House
wrote to his parents:
“It is at last our privilege to write to you of one who, once
a worshipper of idols, is now a worshipper of Jehovah.... His
name is Ooan Si Teng, a Chinese twenty-four years old, born
on the Island of Hainan, has been here some six years, speaks
and reads Siamese and also reads his native language. He has
been living in the family of Mr. Mattoon for the past two
or three years. From his first acquaintance with us he has
been convinced of the folly of idol worship and has renounced
it.... He accompanied Mrs. Mattoon to Singapore as bearer
for little Lowrie; and Dr. Lane, with whom Mrs. Mattoon
resided while there, says of him that had he already been a
professing Christian, his conduct could not have been more
exemplary.
“So it was with great joy that at our last communion October
5, we received him to the ordinance of the Lord’s appointing.
The eyes of more than one of us were filled with tears of joy
as we looked on this interesting scene.... In all probability
he was the first native of that Island to be converted to
protestant Christianity.”
While there was bright hope of the immediate prospects on the
field, from the Mission Board there came the discouraging reply,
“No money, no men,” in response to pleas for recruits. The reports
of the dire situation under the old king had not yet been
overtaken at home by the news of the marvellous change under the
new government.