Norwich bulletin., 1909-03-05
pr. Jastus H. and calista Holman

NInton.
 Among those present at that mem- orable memorial service in Ashford in 1881 were two whose names became familiar in later years in connection with that eminently successful mis- sion work among the Karens of Bur mah. Although not natives of Wind ham county, pr. and Mrs. Vinton be- came early members of Baptist churches in Ashford and woodstock, and were thus brought into fellowship with all the Baptist churches of the county.
 Justus H. vinton was born In Will ngton, Holland county. in 4S06, but in 1925 we find him "a member and licen- tiate of the First Baptist church in Ashford. engaging in evangelistic work. we may infer with Benjamin N. Skinner. And 1t was about the same date that his future wife, Ca- hsta Holman of Union, was favored with that remarkable religious experi- ence, endowing her as it seemed with especial power from on high. Born in 1907, when about fifteen she fell into what seemed rapid decline and was thought to be near her end. Yielding herself wholly to the will of God, for life or death, she earnestly desired to become member of this visible church and receive baptism in what she believed the divinely appointed method. Tn her weak condition it seemed a great imprudence to go down into the water, but her recov- cry seemed so hopeless that her friends yielded assent and in chilly March she was carried to the adjacent brook and there baptized by Elder Grow, and received into the fellowship of the West Woodstock Baptist church. Elder Grow remarked in giv- ing her the element:
 This is our sisters first .commun- ion and will probably be her last We now receive her into the church mili- tant; she will soon be in the church triumphant" But many years of faith ful service were to intervene. Renew al of physical life came with the spir- ttual aptism-whether the shock quickened vital action. whether the result might be attributed to mind cure or faith cure" or direct answer to prayer, immediate improvement and subsequent recovery are abund- antly substantiated To consecrate this renewed life to the highest goal, became her supreme object. She taught school to gain means for pur- suing her own education, alternating teaching with schooling. She acquired d HluCn more IHDTOuSn eQuCdLlOu than most women of that day, and decided to devote it to mission work in Bur- nah. MT. Vinton meantime was work ing his way through school and col lege and had also decided to enter the Burmese mission. Tn the Hamilton theological and literary institute they found opportunity for studying the Karen language and thus were excep- tionally fitted for the work before .Eaa@ fnxr -s..1 E., A 1884, ordained and sent out to Maui man mission by the Baptist union, July 3, 1884
 Arriving at Mailman, after four months voyage, they were soon active ly at work among the Karens, touring through the villages and jungles, often separately, that they might reach a 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, Mir. and Mrs. Vintop returned to America, bringing with them two small Karen boys, whose winning ways and sweet sing ing of gospel hymns found access to many hearts. Enthusiastic audiences in many churches greeted the returned missionaries, and interest in their work was greatly quickened.
 Few missionaries have been privileg- ed to witress such results of their la bor in receiving and training converts in heather lands, and melting sympa- thy and cooperation at home.
 pr. and Mrs. Vinton returned to Burmah in 1S50 and during the war with England gave most helpful aid to the persecuted Karens and were most active and efficient in re-establls shing church and secular affairs after the re- turn of peace. Mrs. Vinton established and carried on a large and very suc- cessful high school in the vicinity of Rangoon. Dr. Vinton died at his post in 1853, and Mrs. Vinton and her son, Brainard. continued in the field. A letter acknowledging a gift from the Ashford association enables us to re- ceive from her own hand a vivid pie ture of the outward life and inner pur- poses of this devoted Christian woman in her closing years, and it is a great privilege to be able thus to make it more widely known and kept in mem ory.
 Mrs. Vinton's Letter.
 Rangoon, April 2d, 1882.
 My Dear Bro. Walker: It gives me great pleasure and satisfaction to see that I am still remembered by the deai Ashford association. That association was formed the year that ! was con verted. The delegates-Dea. Corbin and Col. Crawford-stopped at our house on their way, and prayed for me. then under deep conviction. Never tllI rnU af Iaxr 6oI