The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-04-09

Fitch, whose charge is wei Hein Shan
hing Province, China.
WORK IN CHINA.
He spoke Of the work done, the course
pursued. the missions established and
the need of other workers and funds
to carry Oh the good cause. He cited
several instances of how the teaching
abided and with what the converts had
to contend. Ignominy, disgust, abuse
by family, friends and neighbors; all
this and much more fell to the lot of
one who chose Jesus. But it was sure
ard certain for, as one old man, over
"a years of age, who came several
miles in rain storm in a wheelbarrow
to receive advice and consolation, SO
was each point gradually covered and
souls converted to Christ.
The work has now grown to such
proportion as to demand immediate as
sistance; more missionaries are needed,
more funds are wanted and with a
small outlay much can be done.
why" said Mr.. Fitch, "a donation Of
fifty cents will represent the earnings
of man for three and half days
days with the men and mans"
Mr.. Fitch was followed by the prin-
cipal speaker of the evening. Miss Mary
Cort, Of Siam. Miss Cort has been in
the missionary work since 1874 and has
worked in Siam for seventeen years
alone. She spoke in a very convincing
manner and disclosed an intimate ac-
auaintance with the work in Siam. She
inV,
population, it's king and the people;
touched upon the religion of that coun-
try and it's effect upon the people and
described the difficulty of obtaining q
fuothold with the ones to whom it was
desired to speak of Christ and his mes
sagcs. In reference to the country, she
said that in addition to six large riv-
ers, the country, in topography, uplands
and bread plains, was filled with net
work of canals upon which travel was
easily had from point to point. They
used a house boat for their work and
gave magic lantern exhibitions to illus
tratc their talks. The king was kind
to all missionaries and gave them the
use Of buildings ami protected them by
his power and in fact encouraged their
work by mis- every act.
They were living in the midst of mod
err life, had mail delivery three times
each day, had plenty Of steam manu-
factories and boats.
CITY OF BANGKOK.
At the city of Bangkok, where she
was stationed, the harborage was cap
able of holding vessels of the deepest
draught. This city of 100000 inhabit-
ants contained the royal home and had
a mint, and telegraphic communication
with all parts of the world. The coun-
try was in a high state of cultivation,
being irrigated every year by the over
flow of the rivers during the rainy sea-
son. The climate is good, and the tenn
perature rarely exceeds Ga degrees.
All this went to prove how open the
! conditions and great the opportunities
| for missionary work in Siam. The re-
| ligion of Buddhism is hard to break
| into, as the Siamese people do not
| cultivate any desire of a conscious feel
| ing and know nothing of a resurrec-
tion of the soul, believing as they dc
| that they only die to be born into
something else and live upon the earth
| again. Miss Cort urged the presence
of more women and men as workers In
| Siam, there being only thirty now there
and the first mission was established
! over fifty years ago by Rev. Samuel r
| House, who is still living there.
The work was carried on by the
| teaching of boys and girls the printing
of the portions of the Bible in the Siam.
| ese language and continual trips
through the surrounding territory. The
! first mission school for girls was es
tablished in 1865 by Mrs. Mcfarland
of Pennsylvania, and this has been 6
great help, as women are not counted
for much there.
She said the king of Siam, who seem:
to be a progressive and humane heath
en-, will soon visit America. The choil
sang while a collection for the print
ing and contingent fund was beinl
taken, and after the doxOlogy th'
meeting adjourned until this morning