manifested a laudable zeal in establishing schools, in which, however,
the Siamese language alone is taught. His Majesty is most fortunate in
having such an able and progressive representative in the North as the
present High Commissioner, Chow Prayā Surasīh Visithasakdī. And the
country is no less fortunate in having a ruler whose high personal
character and wise administration command the confidence and respect of
all classes. He is interested in educating the people, and in everything
that advances the interests of the country.
I regard the educational question as the great question now before the
mission. The existence of the Siamese schools greatly emphasizes the
importance of our own work, and the necessity of maintaining a high
standard and a strong teaching force in Siamese, English, mathematics,
and the sciences. Their schools then will be tributary to ours.
The ultimate prevalence of the Siamese language in all the provinces
under Siamese rule, has been inevitable from the start. All governments
realize the importance of a uniform language in unifying a people, and
have no interest whatever in perpetuating a provincial dialect. The
Siamese, in fact, look down with a kind of disdain upon the Lāo speech,
and use it only as a temporary necessity during the period of
transition. And the Siamese is really the richer of the two by reason of
its large borrowing from the Pali, the better scholarship behind it, and
its closer connection with the outside world.
These two forms of the Tai speech—with a common idiom, and with the
great body of words in both identical, or differing only in vocal
inflection—have been kept apart chiefly by the fact that they have
different written characters. All of the Lāo women and children, and
two-thirds of the men had to be taught to read, whichever character were
adopted; and they could have learned the one form quite as easily as the
other. Had the mission adopted the Siamese character from the start, it
would now be master of the educational situation, working on a uniform
scheme with the Siamese Educational Department. Moreover, the Siamese
language in our schools would have been a distinct attraction toward
education and toward Christianity. And thus there would have been
available for the North the labours of two or more generations of able
workers in the southern mission, from which so far the Lāo church has
been mostly cut off. The whole Bible would have been accessible from the
first; whereas now nearly half of it remains still untranslated into the
Lāo. If the future needs of the Siamese provinces alone were to be
considered, it might even be doubted whether it were worth while to
complete the translation. When the monks, in their studies and teaching,
adopt the Siamese, as it is now the intention of the government to have
them do, Lāo books will soon be without readers throughout Siam. When
for the young a choice is possible in the matter of such a transcendent
instrument of thought and culture as language, all surely would wish
their training to be in that one which has in it the promise of the
future. These words are written in no idle criticism of the past, and in
no captious spirit regarding the present; but with full sense of the
gravity of the decision which confronts the mission in shaping its
educational policy for those who henceforth are to be Siamese.
Meanwhile, Lāo type and books in the Lāo dialect are needed, not merely
for the present generation of older people who cannot or will not learn
a new character, but also for the instruction and Christianization of
that much larger mass of Lāo folk beyond the frontier of Siam as
revealed by recent explorations. Removed, as these are, entirely from
the political and cultural influence of Siam, and divided up under the
jurisdiction of three great nations of diverse and alien speech, it is
inconceivable that the Siamese should ever win the ascendency over them.
Nor has either of these nations any immediate and pressing incentive
toward unifying the speech of its provincials, such as has actuated Siam
in this matter. If the field of the Lāo mission is to be extended to
include these “regions beyond”—as we all hope that it soon may be—Lāo
speech will inevitably be the medium of all its work there. Then all
that so far has been accomplished in the way of translation, writing,
and printing in the Lāo tongue, will be so much invaluable capital to be
turned over to the newer enterprise.
As regards the medical department of the mission, the Lāo field has been
an ideal one for its operation and for demonstration of its results.
When the field was virtually closed to the simple Gospel, the missionary
physician found everywhere an exalted, not to say exaggerated, idea of
the efficacy of foreign medicine, and a warm welcome for himself. Dr.
Cheek, who virtually founded our regular medical work among the Lāo, had
been on the field but a short time when he reported thirteen thousand
patients treated in one year. Probably no subsequent physician has had
such absolute control of the situation as he had, so long as he gave his
time and talents to his calling. But even the layman finds his medical
chest an invaluable adjunct to his evangelistic work, as we have had
frequent occasion to notice. We are devoutly thankful for—we might
almost envy—the influence that our medical missionaries have exerted in
the civilization and the Christianization of the Lāo tribes.
Somewhat of the present status and importance of the medical mission may
be judged from the following facts: Dr. J. W. McKean’s projected Leper
Asylum is the largest charitable institution ever planned in the
kingdom. The new Overbrook Hospital in Chieng Rāi, the generous gift of
the Gest family of Overbrook, Pennsylvania, is the finest building in
the mission. The Charles T. Van Santvoord Hospital in Lakawn is another
similar gift. Native physicians, trained as far as present opportunities
permit in Western surgery and medicine, are now maintained at certain
posts by the Siamese government. And especially the work of Dr. Arthur
Kerr, the government physician in Chiengmai, and his unremitting
kindness to the mission, are deeply appreciated by us all.
I cannot close these remarks without making special reference to the
work of my old friend and classmate and early associate in the mission,
Dr. Jonathan Wilson. In addition to his other most valuable labours, he
spent years of loving and devoted service in the preparation of hymns
for Lāo worship, Which will mould and lead the spiritual life of this
people for years to come. The Lāo are lovers of music. Many of them have
received much of their religious instruction through the use of these
hymns. His influence in the Lāo church may be compared to that of Watts
and Wesley for the English race.
* * * * *
Our long isolation as a mission has enabled us to appreciate the coming
to us in late years of a number of distinguished visitors, who have
greatly encouraged and strengthened us.
At the Annual Meeting in December, 1900, we were favoured with a visit
from our United States Minister, Hon. Hamilton King, and his two
daughters. Referring to his visit, the “Lāo Quarterly Letter” said: “His
addresses to the missionaries and native ministers and elders of the
Presbytery were much appreciated, and our large church building was
crowded on two successive Sabbaths to hear his eloquent words of
encouragement to native Christians, and his warm commendation of
Christianity to non-Christians. It has been said that one of the best
things which a United States Minister can take to a non-Christian land
is a good Christian home. And this is just what Mr. King has brought to
Siam.”
At the Annual Meeting of the following year, in Lakawn, we received the
first official visit we ever had from one of the Secretaries of our
Board, in the person of Rev. Arthur J. Brown, D.D., accompanied by his
good wife. The importance of these secretarial visits to distant
missions can hardly be overestimated. It is impossible to legislate
intelligently for a constituency twelve thousand miles away. No amount
of writing can give the varied kinds of information necessary for a full
understanding of the people, the missionaries, their surroundings, and
the needs of the field, which a single visit will convey. Then, too,
there are questions of administration and mission polity, requiring
settlement in the home Board, which can with difficulty be understood
through correspondence. Dr. Brown’s official visit was most helpful, as
also his words of encouragement, his sermons and addresses. The pleasure
derived from the personal visits of Dr. and Mrs. Brown to various
members of the Mission will always linger in our memories.
[Illustration:
HIS MAJESTY, MAHĀ VAJIRAVUDH, KING OF SIAM]
Another notable visit to Chiengmai was that of the Crown Prince of Siam,
now His Majesty Mahā Vajiravudh, in the winter of 1905-6. On this visit
His Royal Highness very graciously accepted the invitation of the
mission to lay the corner stone of the William Allen Butler Hall, the
recitation hall of the new Boys’ School. On that occasion he delivered
an address, of which the following is a translation:
“Ladies and Gentlemen:—I have listened with great pleasure to
the complimentary remarks which have just been made. I regard
them as indisputable evidence of your friendship for the whole
Kingdom of Siam.
“During my visit to the United States, the American people were
pleased to give me a most enthusiastic welcome. I may mention
particularly the sumptuous banquet with which your Board of
Foreign Missions honoured me. I perceived clearly that the
American people received me whole-heartedly and not
perfunctorily. This also made it evident to me that the American
people have a sincere friendship for the Kingdom of Siam. Of
this fact I was profoundly convinced, and I certainly shall not
soon forget my visit to the United States.
“This being so, I feel compelled to reciprocate this kindness to
the full extent of my ability. As my Royal Grandfather and my
Royal Father have befriended the missionaries, so I trust that I
too shall have opportunity, on proper occasions, to assist them
to the limits of my power.
“Your invitation to me to-day to lay the corner stone of your
new School Building, is another evidence of your friendship and
goodwill toward Siam. I have full confidence that you will make
every endeavour to teach the students to use their knowledge for
the welfare of their country. Therefore I take great pleasure in
complying with your request, and I invoke a rich blessing on
this new institution. May it prosper and fulfil the highest
expectations of its founders!”
In response to a request from the Principal that he would name the new
school, His Royal Highness sent the following reply:
“CHIENGMAI, January 2d, 1906.
“I have great pleasure in naming the new school, the foundation
stone of which I have just laid, The Prince Royal’s College. May
this School which I have so named, be prosperous, and realize
all that its well-wishers hope for it. May it long flourish, and
remain a worthy monument of the enterprise of the American
Presbyterian Church of Chiengmai. This is the wish of their
sincere friend,
“VAJIRAVUDH.”
Little did we then think that His Royal Highness would so soon be called
to fill the high office left vacant by the lamented death of his
distinguished father, King Chulalangkorn, which occurred October 22d,
1910.
In December, 1908, Mrs. McGilvary’s brother, Professor Cornelius B.
Bradley of the University of California, while on a visit to the land of
his birth and of his father’s labours, paid us a visit in the North. He
was present at our Annual Meeting in Lakawn, and on Sunday preached the
Communion sermon, and again in Chiengmai. It was to the astonishment of
all who heard him, both natives and foreigners, that he could converse
fluently and flawlessly, and could so preach, after an absence of
thirty-six years. It was upon this visit to Siam, that he made a special
study and translation of the Sukhōthai Stone—the earliest known monument
of the Siamese language.
In company with Professor Bradley came Mr. William McClusky, a business
man, on a visit to his daughter, Mrs. M. B. Palmer. The significance of
this visit lies in the fact that Mr. McClusky has remained among us, and
has identified himself with the work of the mission, endearing himself
to all.
* * * * *
In 1905 Mrs. McGilvary returned to the United States for a much-needed
change. I remained on the field until 1906, when I was cabled for on
account of the very serious state of her health. I found her very low,
and my visit was devoted to the restoration of her health. In the autumn
she was sufficiently recovered to make our return possible, and the
voyage was undertaken in compliance with her own ardent wish. She was
greatly benefited by the sea-voyage, and since her return her health has
been fully restored.
On May 16th, 1908, my daughter, Mrs. William Harris, gave a dinner in
honour of my eightieth birthday, at which all our missionary and
European friends in Chiengmai were guests. Dr. McKean expressed the
congratulations of my friends in an address, from which I quote the
following: “Eighty years of age, sir, but not eighty years old! We do
not associate the term old age with you, for you seem to have drunk of
the fount of perpetual youth.” But the sentiment to which I most
heartily subscribe is the following: “There is a common maxim among men
to which we all readily assent; namely, that no man is able to do his
best work in the world without having received from God that best of all
temporal gifts, a helpmeet for him. We most heartily congratulate you
that, early in your life in Siam, Mrs. McGilvary was made a partner in
this great life-work. And no one knows so well as yourself how large a
part she has had in making possible much of the strenuous work that you
have done. To her, likewise, we offer on this happy occasion our hearty
congratulations and our fervent wishes for an ever-brightening future!”
On December 6th, 1910, Mrs. McGilvary and I celebrated our Golden
Wedding. As this occurred during the Annual Meeting of the Mission, most
of our missionary friends, as well as our friends of the foreign colony,
were present. It was a matter of great regret, however, that Dr. Wilson,
who was present at the wedding fifty years before, was too feeble to
come to Chiengmai on this occasion. The many beautiful gifts received
were another token of the loving regard of our friends and dear ones in
this and in the homeland. Among the many letters and telegrams received
was a cablegram from our children in America. “It was like a hand-clasp
and a whisper of love flashed around the world.” Dr. Arthur J. Brown,
speaking for himself and the members of the Board of Foreign Missions,
wrote: “We greatly rejoice in your long and conspicuously devoted and
influential service for the Lāo people. We share the veneration and love
with which we know you are regarded by the people among whom your lives
have been spent, and by the missionaries with whom you have been so
closely associated. It would be a joy if we could join the relatives and
friends who will be with you on that happy day in December. We invoke
God’s richest blessings on you both. Mrs. Brown and all my colleagues in
the office unite with the members of the Board in loving
congratulations.”
One of the most valued of these messages came from H. R. H. Prince
Damrong, Minister of the Interior: “I just learn from the local papers
of the celebration of your Golden Wedding. I wish you and Mrs. McGilvary
to accept my sincere congratulations and best wishes that you both may
be spared to continue your great work for many more years. Damrong.”
Our good friend, H. E. Prayā Surasīh Visithsakdī, High Commissioner for
the Northwestern Provinces, brought his congratulations in person,
presenting Mrs. McGilvary with a very rare old Siamese bowl of inlaid
work of silver and gold.
[Illustration:
DR. AND MRS. McGILVARY FIFTY YEARS AFTER THEIR MARRIAGE]
From the native church in Chieng Rāi a message in Lāo was received, of
which the following is a translation: “The Chieng Rāi Christians invoke
Divine blessings on the Father-Teacher and Mother-Teacher McGilvary, who
are by us more beloved than gold.”
We were deeply touched by a most unexpected demonstration of the
Chiengmai Christians, who assembled at our home, and with many
expressions of loving esteem and gratitude presented us with a silver
tray, designed by themselves, on which were represented in relief the
progress of the city in these fifty years: on one end the old bridge, on
the other the new bridge just completed; on the two sides, the
rest-house we occupied upon our arrival in Chiengmai, and our present
home. The inscription, in Lāo, reads: “1867-1910. The Christian people
of Chiengmai to Father-Teacher and Mother-Teacher McGilvary, in memory
of your having brought the Good News of Christ, forty-three years
ago.”—It makes one feel very humble to quote such expressions from our
colleagues and friends. But it would not be in human nature to fail to
appreciate them.
* * * * *
I would not close this life-story without expressing, on behalf of my
wife and myself, our heartfelt gratitude to our friends, native and
foreign, for the great kindness shown us in our intercourse with them
during these long years; and, above all, our devout gratitude to the
Giver of all good, for sparing so long our lives, and crowning them with
such rich blessings. Of these the greatest has been in permitting us to
lay the foundations, and to witness the steady growth of the Church of
Christ in Northern Siam.
[Illustration:
SKETCH MAP OF SIAM AND THE ADJACENT REGIONS
TO ILLUSTRATE THE MISSIONARY TOURS OF REV. DANIEL McGILVARY, D.D.]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
INDEX
Arthington, Robert, 373-376, 386.
Bradley, Rev. Dan Beach, M.D., 45, 52, 54-57, 67-70, 131-132, 164, 199.
Buddhist shrines, 172-173, 188, 252-253.
Ceremonies and Festivals:
Dam Hūa, 84-86;
cremation, 145-147;
dedication of a shrine, 188-189;
rice-harvest, 274;
fairs, 327, 356, 366;
“kin waw,” 323, 343;
sacred days, 318-319;
wedding feast, 395;
New Year, 396-397.
Chulalongkorn, King of Siam, 211-213, 382, 426.
Commission, Royal, 112, 121-131.
Commissioners, High:
Prayā Tēp Worachun, 193-194, 205, 206, 208, 210, 213-215, 222, 300;
Commissioner not named, 300-304;
Chow Prayā Surasīh, 419.
Cushing, Rev. J. N., DD, 138-139, 244, 247, 250, 373.
Demonism and witchcraft, 75-76, 91, 93-94, 173, 194, 203-208, 214,
266-270, 278, 321, 324, 331, 340.
Diseases:
cholera, 51;
fever, 88, 190, 195, 205, 242;
goitre, 88;
smallpox (vaccination), 57, 89-91, 243, 250;
scurvy, 196;
mortality of re-peopled districts, 202, 282.
Education:
Girls’ School, 177-178, 221-223, 274, 284, 287, 292, 418-419;
Boys’ School, 284, 291, 300, 419, 424-426;
Phraner Memorial, 377, 418;
parochial, 418;
government, 419-420;
educational policy as regards language, 222-225, 420-422.
Elephants:
saddle, 62, 151-152, 157, 246, 249-250, 311-312, 317-318, 330-331,
355, 359-360, 382-383;
wild, 156, 253, 311;
baby-elephants, 246-247, 309.
Evangelists and ministers, native, 257-263, 377-380, 414-416.
Famine, 335, 346, 349-352.
French Indo-China, 332, 354, 358, 384, and chapters xxxiii, xxxiv.
Hallett, Holt S. (railroad survey), 244-254.
House, Rev. S. R., M.D., 37-38, 45, 53, 67, 92-93, 110-112.
Intanon, Prince of Chiengmai, 81, 90, 108-109, 132, 137, 142, 145, 187,
193-194, 209, 245, 262, 293, 300.
Kamu tribe, 368, 393-394, 400, 403, 405, 407, 411.
Karens, 89, 143-144.
Kāwilōrot, Prince of Chiengmai (1855-1870), 57, 67, 69-70, 85-86, 90,
95, 102-106, 121-129, 133-138, 146-147.
Lāo:
the name, 13-14, 57-58;
spelling of Lāo words, 12-13;
people, 58, 156;
states, 130, 191-192, 218-219, 262;
language, 357, 358, 420-422, see also Education;
women, 144-145.
Lāo Mission:
planted, 77;
Rev. J. Wilson arrives, 92;
first church organized, 93;
a gift of land, 95;
first native members received, 96-101;
persecution, 106-117;
mission supposedly abandoned, 126;
intervention, 130-132;
new régime, 137-144;
permanent buildings, 140-142;
first physician, 149;
Girls’ School, 177;
teachers arrive, 221-222;
reinforcement, 242;
Presbytery organized, 257;
printing-press, 320;
Christian Endeavor, 381;
summaries, 217-218, 225, 287-288, 299, 304, 401;
general review, 413-423.
Later Missionaries:
Briggs, Rev. W. A., M.D., 10, 319, 336-337, 351-352, 401;
Campbell, Rev. Howard, 376, 411, 414;
Mrs. Campbell, 418;
Campbell, Miss Mary, 177, 221-222, 234, 236-237, 240;
Cary, A. M., M.D., 283-284, 296, 298;
Cheek, M. A., M.D., 166, 169, 178, 190, 195, 212, 233, 236-237,
283, 292;
Mrs. Cheek, 169, 242, 293;
Cole, Miss Edna E., 177, 221-222, 233, 240, 284, 387;
Collins, Rev. D. G., 283, 284, 296, 301;
Curtis, Rev. L. W., 376;
Mrs. Curtis, 9;
Denman, C. H., M.D., 376, 381, 382-385;
Dodd, Rev. W. C., D.D., 283, 284-286, 289, 291, 296, 301, 358,
377-378, 382, 384, 401;
Mrs. Dodd (Miss B. Eakin), 292, 293, 303;
Fleeson, Miss, 292, 293, 299;
Freeman, Rev. J. H., 9, 296;
Griffin, Miss I. A., 240, 243, 284, 292, 299;
Hearst, Rev. J. H., 239, 243;
Irwin, Rev. Robert, 319, 353, 362, 367, 401;
Martin, Rev. Chalmers, 239, 250, 252, 268, 270, 271-273, 276, 283;
McGilvary, Cornelia H. (Mrs. William Harris), 199, 306, 308-316,
427;
McGilvary, Rev. Evander B., 337, 371;
McGilvary, Margaret A. (Mrs. Roderick Gillies), 197, 337;
McKean, J. W., M.D., 306, 316, 320, 338, 341, 422-423, 427;
Peoples, Rev. S. C., M.D., 239, 250, 257, 263-265, 289-291, 300,
319, 387;
Mrs. Peoples, 240;
Phraner, Rev. Stanley K., 319, 320, 326-329, 376-377, 418;
Mrs. Phraner (Lizzie Westervelt), 238, 274, 284;
Taylor, Rev. Hugh, 299, 308-309;
Vrooman, C. W., M.D., 149-159, 166.
Native Converts:
Āi Tū (Prayā Pakdī), 277, 280, 287;
Cha Pū Kaw and Cha Waw, _see under_ Mūsô;
Chao Borirak, 158, 163, 197;
Lung In, 168, 170, 202;
Nān Chai, 100-101, 114-117;
Nān Chaiwana, 266-270;
Nān Inta, 96-99, 149, 161, 163, 207, 208, 210, 233, 243, 257, 258;
Nān Tā, 225-228, 234, 243, 248, 258, 272, 276, 277, 283, 299, 301;
Nān Sī Wichai, 199, 243;
Nān Suwan, 197-198, 233, 248, 257, 280, 287, 327, 330, 333, 341,
359;
Noi Intachak, 230, 257, 260;
Noi Siri, 301-304, 333;
Noi Sunya, 99-100, 114-117;
Noi Tāliya, 278-279, 290, 334;
Pā Sêng Bun, 205-206;
Prayā Sīhanāt, 199-201, 232-233;
Sên Utamā, 230, 232;
Sên Yā Wichai, 79, 100, 105, 203, 281, 291.
Mahā Mongkut, King of Siam, 37, 47-48, 70.
Mahā Vajiravudh, King of Siam, 425-426.
Mattoon, Rev. S., D.D., 39, 45, 67, 165-166.
McDonald, Rev. N. A., D.D., 53, 68, 103-104, 121ff.
McFarland, Rev. S. G., D.D., 53, 70-71.