Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1909-03-26

EI4gIN u. IAkNsn.
ParKR Ne. "

Among those present at that memo
rahle memorial service in Ashford, in
ISL, were two whose names became fa-
miliar in later years, IN connection
with that eminently successful mission
work among the karens of Rufmahs
Although net natives of Nindham
county, Or. and Mrs. Nintoa became
early members OF Baptist churches IN
Ashford and Woodstock and were thus
brought into fellowship With all the
Baptist churches Of the county.
Justns II. Ninton was born in VIII.
ingtan, rolland county, In 1876. hui IN
1926 we find him member and iieea-
tate of the First Baptist church IN
Ashford, engaged in eNngelisiic work,
we may infer, with Benjamin y. Skin.
nef. And ii was about the same date
that his future wife, Calista Holman,
OF Union, was favored with that IT,
mark able religious experience, endo@-
ing her, as II seemed, with especial
power from on high. Born in ls0i,
when about fifteen, she fell into what
seemed a rapid decline aud was thought
to he near her end, Yielding herself
wholly to the viii of cod, for life or
death, She earnestly desired 10 become
member of this visible church end
receive baptism In what she believed
TIE divinely appointed method In her
weak condition Ii seemed great I'M
prudence To go down into the water,
but her recovery seemed SO hopeless
that her friends yielded assent, and In
chilly March she was carried To the nd
jacent brook aud there baptized by Ill
der Grow, and received into the fellow
ship of the West Woodstock Baptist
church. Elder Grow remarked in Civ
ing her the elements:
.This Is our sisters tirst communion
and will probably be her last. We now
receive her into the church militant
she will soon be In the church triumph.
ant
but many years of faithful service
were To Intervene. Renewal of physical
life came with the spiritual baptism
whether the shock qnickened Vital ae-
ton, whether The result might he at
lribuled to emind curea OF faith cure
or direct answer TO prayer, immediate
Improvement and subsequent recovery
are abundantly snhstnntiated. To com
secrate this renewed life To the highest
good became her supreme object She
taught school to gain means for puf-
suing her own education, alternating
teaching with schooling. She acquired
much more thorough education than
most women of that day, and decided
To devote il TO mission work In Burmah.
Mr.. Ninton meantime was working
his way through school and college and
had also decided To enter The Burmese
mission. In the Hamilton theological
aud literary institute they found oppor-
tunity for studying the Karen language
and thus were exceptionally fitted for
the work before them. They were mar
ried in April, 1884, ordained and sent
out to Burmah by the Baptist Union,
July 3, 1884.
Arriving at Mailman after n voyage
OF four months, they were soon active
ly at work among the kareRs, touring
through the villages and jungles, often
separately that they might reach
greater number. Schools and preach
ing services were instituted, and many
of these tractable natives were brought
into the fold. After fourteen years Of
most effective service, Mr.. and Mrs
Vinion returned 10 America, bringing
with them twosmall Karen boys whose
winning ways and sweet singing of
gospel hymns found access TO many
hearts; enthusiastic audiences In many
churches greeted the returned mission
aries, and interest In their work was
greatly quickened.
Few missionaries have been pfivileg
ed to witness such results Of their Ia
Dor in receiving and training converts
in heather lands, and melting sympa-
thy and cooperation al home.
DR.. and Mrs. Vinton returned 10 Bur.
NAH in 1850, and during the war with
England gave most helpful aid To the
prosecuted Karens, and were active
and efficient in re-establishing church
and secular affairs after the return Of
peace. Mrs. Vinton established and
carried on a large and very successful
high school.
DR.. vinton died At his post in 1853,
and Mrs. Vinton and her son Bfainard
continued In the field. A letter acknowl-
edging q gift from the Ashford Associa-
ton enables US To receive from her own
hand a vivid picture Of the outward
life and inner purposes of this devoted
Christian woman In her closing years,
and IL Is great privilege to be able %
thus make il more widely known and
kept in me mory.
Mrs. Ninton's letter.
Rangoon. Apfil -, 1862
Ny Dear Bro. Walker; It gives me
great pleasure and satisfaction 10 see
that | am still remembered BY the dear
Ashford Association. That Asgocia-
ton was formed Ihe year that ! was
converted. The deleg ates- Dea. turbin
aud Colonel fawford--stopfed at our
house on their way and prayed for me,