Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1853-12-16
Letter from Prof John Sils6y, Of the
Siam Mission.

Letter from Prof John Sils6y, Of the
Siam Mission.
[Nir. and Mrs. Silsby are spending lit
tie time at Singapore. He has there be-
come good deal interested in the work in
behalf of the Malays. The following are
extracts from a letter written by him Sep
,ember 18TH J
u Lave been employed in Mr. Keys
bury's school, thus giving him opportuni-
to devote his time to the work Of pre-
pairing books for distribution among the
Malay population of these parts. Mr.. K,
Us you know, was formerly connected with
.he mission which the London Missionary
Society had established a, this place, and
when, upon the opening Of the gates Of
China, that Society withdrew its mission
from this place, Mr. X. felt it his duty to
remain, although lie would thus be CON-
PEELED 70 depend upon his own exertiOns
for support. He sill continues his labors
among the Malays, being aided by occa-
,ioual donations from Europe and America,
by contributions from the citizens of this
place, and ly his own earnings. He has
ihus been enabled TO keep up boarding
school Of about thirty Malay boys, and
regular Preaching every Sabbath, as also
more OF les religious instruction during
he week Tor the adult Mslays.
alt should be remembered that Mr.. K.
labors for people who have long been re-
garded as the most unpromising popula-
tion in all these regions. They are thus
spoken OF by the report Of the Singapore
Union in 1880; and similar views, un-
derstand, were entertained concerning
Il. N. :, nn-rinu1ng surf, 'drptnRs.Gk
circumstances, Mr.. K. has persevered un-
ifalteringly in his work, sowing his seed and
trusting to God for blessing upon his Ia
bors. He has as yet been permitted to see
but few converts from among the Malays,
but he has seen some, and we know not
how many more there mry yet be in whose
hearts the seeds of divine truth may ger
miuaie aud bring forth fruit unto life eter-
nal. OF late, special movement among
the young men who were formerly his pu-
pills furnishes one earnest Of such results.
These young men have recently formed
themselves into an Association for mutual
improvement. One article Of their consti-
tuition declares their rejection of Mahon-
mechanism and their belief of Christianity.
They have requested Mr.. X. to meet them
once every week, and aid them in the study
of the Bible. This movement is altogether
voluntary on the part of these young men,
no one having suggested it to them.
"Nr. X, however, greatly needs he'f:
his school demands must Of his time, and
exhaust. his funds. What is one man
among SO many! And then, the thirty
or forty thousand Chinese here, and the
same number in the adjacent town of Ma
lacca, as well as the thousands scattered
through the country for whom there is no
missionary at all-what is to be done?
These Chinese, anal gamated more or less
with the Nalays, seem destined to super
sede the original inhabitants of these parts,
and, as remarked in my former letter,
their children are readily collected in
schools Bot my object is not now to rep
resent the demands or wants Of this place,
nor d know what our duty is in regard
to it. The friends of missions here speak
confidently Of the claims of this place, and
| have now the offer Of school Of one
hundred and thirty native Chinese and
Malay boys; for the support of which the
citizens contribute more than one hundred
dollars month. Ought | to accept it!
A very peculiar train of lrovidcnees brings
this offer tome But have not now tine
for tails. Moreover, this is to me try
ING climate But if the Master calls, L
shalt be most glad to obey
The citizens Of Pottsville propose estab-
fishing Hospital in that neishhorhood for
tic relief Of those who are injured by the
frequent accidents in tie coal region. Hon.
+ W. HrGEas offers to contribute 5,0eo,
(Which is one fourth Of the sum necessary
for the erection Of suitable builiings) il
the other responsible persons viii agree
within two months to furnish the balance
necessary. The project is 4 very merito-
rious one, and We hope will prove success
ful. g
Norfolk. va, Dee. Mrs Douglass,
who WIS oo"rictei dere on the charge IF
t ocl,iay cotcred chilcirc" to rad, has been
suffered to escape to the North.