p. 15 | Burma by H. H. VOTAW

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Aug 10, 1905

Burma

By H. H. VOTAW

INSEIN.—In my last letter I noticed only one of the tribes of Burma, the Burmese. These form the major portion of the population, but there are several other tribes to be found here; namely, Shans, Karens, Talanigs, Chins, and Kachins. It would perhaps be unadvisable to attempt to describe, even briefly, all of these tribes, but the history of one, the Karens, has proved most interesting to me.

During the days of Burman supremacy, the Karen fared badly, indeed. The Burman scorned him because he had no written language, and because he was a spirit worshiper. The proud and haughty Burman considered him fit only for a slave; he had no rights which the government recognized. If by chance he cultivated land in the fertile plains, his crops were confiscated, and if he resisted, his life was forfeited. This constant oppression drove the Karens into the hill country, where kindly nature provided some protection. Here among the friendly hills, they eked out a precarious existence, not caring to accumulate any store to tempt the avarice of the Burman, and thus invite an invasion into their retreat.

The Karen cleared and burned a side hill, planted his rice, and as soon as he had harvested his crop, moved to other quarters. The next year the same field was not tilled again, but another one was cleared. But, as it often happens, God had looked with great compassion upon this despised, mistreated people. Although wandering far from God in the dark night of demon worship, these Karens had retained in their hearts a knowledge of, and a belief in, the Supreme Being. They hold many traditions so akin to the Biblical account of creation, the fall, the flood, etc., that no one can doubt that at some remote time they knew Jehovah.

They further believed that, although they were under God's disapproval, he would remember them kindly, and send to them messengers with his whole truth. When the missionaries came, they found fruitful soil in the hearts of these simple, unsophisticated folk. While the pharisaical Burman clung tightly to his own righteousness, the Karens embraced Christ gladly. So general was the acceptance of Christianity by the Karens, that many writers have spoken of it as a 'nation in a day.' Thus, again, 'God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are.' Do I need to say more than this, 'We have no missionary to the Karens'? Will not some one say, 'Here am I; send me'?

The Karen language has been reduced to writing by the missionaries, and the Bible given to the people. But 'how shall they hear without a preacher? . . . How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!' May God's Spirit stir the souls of those in the home land as it does ours who are face to face with the need.

H. H. VOTAW.