New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-03
ALL OTHER OF BRASS AND IRON BEDS
TOLERATION IN SIAM.
THE BENEFICIAL INFLUENCE OF THE
MISSIONARIES RECOGNIZED.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir The reigning King Of Siam, somdet Phra
Paramndr Maha Chulalongkorn Phra Chuia
Chom Klao. is the only monarch in the world
who processes TO believe in Buddha, and as
such It will perhaps interest your readers to
learn OF the liberation he shows in his govern
ment toward all things religious The Prot
cstant Christian missionaries have always en-
toyed great freedom in this kingdom. but under
the government OF the present king liberation
has extended to positive encouragement 1t
must he understood that this is in no way due
10 any tendency of His Majesty toward the
Christian religion but is due entirely TO the fact
that he recognizes in the work OF these mis-
sonaries a positive influence for the advance
ment Of his people and the Improvement Of his
country.
To my personal knowledge there Is probably
no one TO whom Prince Damrong, the Minister
of the Interior lends so attentive an ear on all
questions OF reform as to Dr. +. p. Dunlap
who in his continual touring through the vari-
GUS provinces of the kingdom, by boat and on
elephants is kept in close sympathy with the
PEOPLE and is able 10 speak wisely OF their
needs On his advice the gambling houses,
from which the government derives large
revenues have been closed in more than one
district. and like movements have been made
against the opium trade
At a recent banquet given by the Russian
Minister In honor OF Prince Damrong on his
return from an extended trip OF inspection
throughout the kingdom. had the real pleas
ure of hearing the following words.
The Prince sat opposite me at the table, and.
speaking in excellent English and tone that
could be heard by every one in the room, said:
Mr.. King want to say to you that we have
great reec Ir yo STe yerv hEhy the work
they are doing for cur people: want TINS 10 De
understood by every one ana you SIg IN p ws
you would say h' for e h@ye 31sT aT" rty
five hundred miles north Of Bangkok The work Of
your people there is excellent l cannot say too
much in praise OF the medical missionaries there
especially
This was the tenor OF the Princes re-
marks for several minutes, introduced without
any suggestion from the conversation, and APP
preciated By me all the more because or the
fact that there were those OF the Diplomatic
Corps present whose remarks about the Chfls-
tan missionaries had not at all times Deen OF
The Christian Boys School in this city has
outgrown It's limits and because OF this ana
the fact that the rapidly growing city has
pressed upon IT with the noise of rice mills and
A busy commerce those In control have thought
best to sell the present property and move 10
a more desirable and accessible site. The KING,
BY way OF showing his appreciation OF TINS
school and encouraging the enterprise, mas
given $1,000 for the work. and over eighty
princes and mobiles contributed to the funa,
Scores OF young men who are now employed in
the several DEPARTMENTS Of the government, and
not q few Of those who occupy places or I'M
1ortance and trust in the kingdom, have been
under the influence Of this school from one 10
The Queen on her last birthday made pres
ent Of $500 10 the Christian Girls School OF
this city. TO be known as The Queens scholar
ship Fund" the income from which is TO be
expended in prizes for excellence in scholarship;
and several Of the women OF the kingdom are
becoming interested in this school. The girls go
ont from the school 10 be teachers or 10 be-
come mothers in the homes Of the country.
Just now there is an indication that another
material evidence OF the governments approval
OF Christian education Will be made In the near
future.
The King Of Siam Is man Of fine education,
keen insight and broad culture. He speaks the
English language well, and appreciates IL Keen
IL as q medium Of civilization for his people.
He understands his people and their needs
He is a hard worker and keeps himself remark
ably well informed OF what Is going on In his
own country, and he has profted much by his
recent visit to Europe. From such ruler
these expressions Of liberation and encourage
ment mean much
The work of the Protestant missions in this
country has been especially fruitful In good re-
suits along the general lines OF Christian edu-
cation and civilization. influencing alike those
in high estate and Of low degree. This is due
largely believe, to the fact that there mas
been a remarkable absence OF contentious be-
tween the different sects among these mis-
sionsries Observation-Disclosures too often
manifest where many denominations are repre-
scented in the one field. At no time have there
been more than two denominations represented
b.ra The Presbyterians and the Baptists. and
at ali times have their lines OF work been wen
defined and their relations most harmonious
Gradually the Baptists have witndra"n, un.iI
now most of the work Is carried on by the
Preshyterlans.
possibly there is a suggestion Tor our mis-
sIonnry societies al, home In this
HAMILTON KING Minister TO Slam
1r,i,Ad states Legation. Bangkok. Slam.