The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-30
The Laos Country.

The Missionary for June contains an interesting
letter from the Rev. D. McGilvary, formerly Of
North Carolina, addressed to the Society of In
quiry of Davidson College in relation to the Loas
Country where he is laboring as missionary
In it Mr.. MEG. speaks of the nature Of the gov
eminent, the social features of the country, mis-
sionary aspect Of the country, &c. We give some
extracts from the closing paragraphs.
DIFFICULTIES OF THE MISSIONARY WORK.
So can truly say it is most interesting and
promising field. | know of none so newly occu-
pied more SO though, like most other new fields,
it may be a number Of years before we can hope
to have many actual conversions. Here | think
the Church at home has very incorrect idea gen.
orally of the obstacles to be overcome in entering
a new field as the inexperienced missionary him
self generally has during his first years The only
estimate that some people can make of the infu-
ence of the missionary work is in summing up the
figures of conversions and baptisms. These, alas
are usually very small at first, and his friends
home, and himself, too, in his despoRding mo-
ments, mDy be tempted to imagine that he has
-seessyhs strength for naught and in VAIN Doth
parties are tempted to forget that there is dou.
BILE process to be carried on, double work to be
accomplished as if we were to be required
to rear an edifce on the grounds occupied by some
must be ragged to the very foundations before the
new superstructure can be reared Hath ma
ton changed its gods?" Yet, difficult as this is,
it is the first thing to be done; it is what we de-
mand Of the heather as an indispensable prere
ouisite towards embracing the gospel. Many of
them would love to combine the two-to lift up
the hand and offer a flower to the name of Jesus
and Budha-as many in Christian lands would
combine the service of God and mammon.
In addition to the exclusive nature of the claims
of the gospel, and the necessity OF uprooting the
deep foundations of old systems more consonant
to our fallen depraved nature, we have all the in.
Huence of custom to overcome where custom in
every thing is law. When told, for instance, that
it would be about as difficult to induce a Laos to
build house or even pair of steps in new
though confessedly superior manner to the custom
of his ancestors, why be surprised that he does
not embrace on the first hearing, even the glori
Gus message of the gospel2 His own system is
venerable from an age that battles the arithmetic
to express or the mind to conceive In mum bering
the age or the TRANSMIT grations of Buddh or the
age of some of the past creations in the Buddhis-
tic worlds, they sometimes employ unit with one
hundred and even one hundred and forty cipbers
annexed. Or, if you speak of miracles, the nat
aral and rational ones of the Bible seem tame IN
him. It's morality too, is good so far as the pre-
cept goes-which makes it proportionally harder
to overthrow than Brahmanism with its disgusting
and often obscene rites
HOPEFUL FIELD.
But making all due allowance for these consid-
eratons we may still say that the Laos are hope
full people for missionary effort,
l. In the first place, Buddhism itself is not by
any means held so strictly as in SIAM 1t is moth
ing strange to see priest eating rice in the after
noon, or handling money, or sitting and talking
with woman, and many other similar violations
of the commands of their idol god; which, if done
openly in Siam, would forfeit his position in the
priesthood:
9. The door is open. Even were the present
rulers opposed to our being here we could still
fall back on the authority of Siam and come under
Siamese protection. But this is not necessary
The king now appears to be friendly. We have
free access to the palace and receive warm vel.
come when we call and the more frequent our
calls, the better he likes it. We have been all the
time on the best terms with his daughters and
sons-in.law and other relatives and princes and
officers OF government.
g. | might remark that as people, they seem
more disposed to look up to foreigners than most
other Eastern nations. Our sah has been daily at
some hour crowded with visitors Of all ranks and
we always receive warm welcome when we call at
their homes | have been astonished myself to
see the hold that we seem to have on the good will
of the people in so short time.
A. Again, they have as a race think more of
the elements OF manhood about them than most
Asiatics They have not so much levity and
frivolity of character as the Siamese have And
they would probably be intellectually, as they are
physically, their superiors, with any thing like the
advantages that the Siamese have had.
s. Only one other idea need be mentioned which
should increase our interest in them as people
and their claims on the Christian Church. They
have been neglected people The country has
been open to missionaries for years, and yet the
offer of the gospel is now for the first time brought
to them. The Church can atone for the past only
by greater fidelity and diligence in the future
POPULATION.
The Laos and their descendants, scattered
through the northern provinces of Siam, as well as
IN their own country, probably number two or
be moderate estimate of those in their own
country And, besides, there are large numbers
of Korens and other tribes within its limits.