Within a month after the new station at Petchaburi was opened,
the missionaries reported the extraordinary case of a Siamese who
had come to believe upon God and Christ through portions of the
Scripture that had come into his hands, although he had never
seen a missionary and had never met a Christian. The name of this
man was Nai Kawn. Writing to his family in America under date of
July 17, 1861, Dr. House quotes in part from a letter which Mrs.
McFarland had written to Mrs. House giving the story; and in part
from Mr. McGilvary:
“I wish Dr. H. could be here to examine a ‘diamond’ we have
found here (_i. e._, a native of Petchaburi, which name
means ‘city of diamonds’). We do believe it a true, genuine
diamond, and though it needs to be polished it will one
day shine in our Saviour’s diadem in glory. It seems an
extraordinary case in many respects. The man is a middle aged
Siamese, resides about five miles from Petchaburi capital;
had never seen a missionary, but some of our Christian tracts
and portions of the Scripture—which he had got from his
neighbours—appears to have been the means of enlightening
his mind and converting his heart. He had taught his little
boy the Lord’s prayer and the ten commandments.”
“Mr. McG. writes: He certainly has the clearest idea of
the Scripture of any heathen convert I have met with. He
literally knows John, Acts, Romans (all the Bible he has yet
seen) by heart; can repeat whole chapters without missing
a word. He evidently studied for months and years....
Seems delighted to find us, as if his highest wish had
been realised. Wishes to come and live with us at once to
learn more perfectly the Gospel, and to assist to teach and
distribute books. To try his sincerity, no encouragement
was offered him, fearing he might wish support from the
missionary. ‘Oh, no,—he wished no compensation, as he had
enough to live on.’ He has a few hundred ticals and wants
no more. He has settled one son with three hundred ticals,
and the other son he has just left with us where he can be
taught the Christian religion. Says he would not give up the
new religion for the offer of being king of Siam. Comes to
worship, walking five miles over muddy roads. Longs to see
another Siamese Christian—has hunted all over to find one.”
In the fall of that year Dr. and Mrs. House were obliged to spend
several months in Petchaburi to relieve the McFarlands, who went to
Bangkok for medical attendance. During that sojourn the doctor had
several conversations with Nai Kawn; and in letters to his brother
in America narrates the confession of that remarkable convert:
“Doctor, the Siamese think only of getting a living. That
they must have nor always are they very scrupulous as to the
means they resort to. Before—in the days of my sinfulness—I
was so too. Then I had not reflected upon, was not attentive
to my condition. I saw myself a sinner; when I became
conscious of this, the Lord Jesus Christ was pleased to
forgive me.
“My wife formerly—when I began to talk in the house with
those that came to see me about the religion of Jesus—would
go away, stop her ears, would say ‘I won’t hear it,’ and off
she would go. Now she says nothing, listens, sometimes says
there is good in it; will hear me when I pray in the room at
night.
“I remonstrated with my neighbours but, Doctor, they are
wilfully set in their wickedness. But, Doctor, we cannot make
them repent. It is only those whom God pleases to choose.
“They tell me that when the king hears that I have become
a disciple of Jesus I shall be whipped. I tell them, if he
kills me I care not. If the Lord gives me to die, I must die
as the Lord willeth. But while I live, I must bring forth
fruits to offer Him.”
Nai Kawn was never formally enrolled in the Church. He had found
the acme of joy and of liberty in the Gospel before he knew of
the church as an organisation. The witness of his conduct, the
testimony of his lips and the evidence of his fellowship with
Christians was more vital and compelling than a formal profession
of ecclesiastical relationship. The honour of having been the first
native at Petchaburi to become a member of the Church was gained
two years later by Nai Kao.
Another honour of primacy in the profession of religion was
attained at Bangkok in 1861, when Maa Esther became the first
Siamese woman to unite with the Church of Christ. She had been
given, a poor sick child, to Mrs. Mattoon by her father at an early
age; and had been adopted and reared by Mrs. Mattoon. She had
accompanied her foster mother to America in this same year. Maa
Esther has continued a faithful, consistent Christian all these
remaining years, and has been a zealous worker for the cause of
Christ.
What was the final evangelising tour by Dr. House was taken in
1862, when, accompanied by Rev. N. A. McDonald, who had lately
joined the mission, and Rev. Robert Telford, who was maintaining
the Baptist work among the Chinese in Siam, he made a trip
along the eastern coast of the gulf as far as Chantaboon. The
responsibility for the school, together with the condition of Mrs.
House’s health, made it inconvenient for him to continue this phase
of the work which he greatly enjoyed.