The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-07-11
"Our Gift to the King. ,

In the Central Presbyterian of June 10th,
we gave an account of the presentation to
the King of Siam of handsome worked
motto, by the members of tho mission school
at Petchaburi. Mrs. Mcfarland writes of
some good results that have followed this
gift, so graciouSly received BY his Majesty.
"Help US to Praise God from whom all
blessings how.' Join US in grateful joy and
thanks to him who has the treasures of the
earth in his own hands, and who gives each
blessing day by day just as We needit. The
King of Siam has given US thousand dol
lars for our new building, and several of the
noblemen have given, some ole hundred, two
hundred, and three hundred-making in all
twenty-five hundred dollars. l mentioned
to YOU that | had written to one of my old
pupils, now man of some rank in Bangkok,
telling him of our building, our lack of funds,
and asking if he would not ike to help u.s..
After this letter was written, we talked the
matter over, and Mr.. mcfarland felt quite
sure that the King would hear of it; and as
he had shown himself 80 kindly disposed,
perhaps we ought in some way to give him an
opportunity of contributing too. So paper
was drawn up in Siamese, giving statement
of what we were trying to do, how much
was still needed, and that we would be glad
to get some help in this country. Mr.. Nc
Farland was acquainted with the Kings
Secretary, and showed him this paper, and
he said st is good-Yery good. Leave this
paper with me. will secure funds for you.
We heard nothing more about it; and when
the funds We had in hand were used, my
husband went up in the boat TO Bang kok, to
inquire what success; and 0! how We all
prayed that the Master might give him favor
in the sight of those who we're abundantly
able to give the needed help. O.! what anx-
iety was felt! The half. finished walls, with
out roof to protect them from the coming
rainy season, stood out before Mr.. McFar
land as he was on his way to Bangkok.
"Just as he passed window, the Secre-
tary, who happened to be there, called out
why, here is Mr.. Mcfarland have been
expecting you. The money is waiting for
you. Here is the paper with the names so
you can see what we have all given. And
there at the head was the Kings name, in
his own handwriting-$1,OO 900! Aud the sill
YER was counted ous-one, two, three, four,
five great bags of it; and Mr.. Netherlands
heart grew lighter as the bags grew heavier.
I need not tell you that he fastened home,
and when he came in, We hardly waited to
welcome him, till we looked down the walk to
see if the men were following with the anx-
iously-expected silver. Yes, indeed There
they were-there they were--three men
loaded down with silver coin My husband
took one of the bags, ard tossed it into my
hands. l was not prepared for its weight,
and it fell, and our tears of joy fell too.-
The bag burst, and the bright new silver
steals, fresh from the Kings treasury, rolled
on the floor. l don't think [ ever saw silver
1 loved so much before, and l certainly never
saw it when it seemed to come so directly
from the Master in answer to prayer. We
have been having protracted thanksgiving
ever since. Long live the King of Siam !
I do hope all the dear friends who take an
interest in the mission work here, will make
him special subject Of prayer. The Holy
Spirit is able to change his heart, and God
is a prayer-hearing and prayer. answering
God 1 hope we shall live to see Siam
Christian nation. An additional lot of work
men have been put on the building, and we
hope now that it may be ready for us by the
beginning of the Fall term of the school"
The silver and the gold'are the Lords, and
the cattle upon thousand hills are his. We
know of no other instance of heather king
contributing to Christian mission, and we
pray with our dear missionary that this may
be the first step leading him to acknowledge
the King of Kings, and to honor and serve
him whom to know is life eternal.