Jubilee Series ^ ^3^1 1 8 7 0 Aeroplane Service Beiween Here an ^Tkere 1 9 2 0 'MllllllllllIIllllllllllltlltllllllllltllllltlllMlIllIllllUnillllltlllllllllllllltllllltllllllllllllllllllMIIIIIMIIlinillMIIII*- SIAM A Pastoral Parable for Presbyterians IlY MRS. J. A. EAKIN. A KING bought a large tract of land at a very Great Price and divided it into many fields. He sought out willing laborers to work these fields and gave unto them good wages. He also promised them manyfold from the fruits of the harvest. And it came to’pass after years that many of the fields had hedges about them, vineyards planted, apple trees flourishing among the trees of the woods, and the fields were sown with the finest of the wheat. And it came to pass as the King walked out to view his fields that he found one far down in the southland (Siam), a dense wilderness. Large ele¬ phants and tigers filled the wastes; large cobras or boa-constrictors rustled or glided ever>nvhere; the night-monster found there his place of rest; poisonous weeds and thorn trees and the cacti filled all space; and stinging insects flitted about in the heal of the tropical sun. The King returned to his palace, called his workers together, and inquired about this neglected field. They answered and said, “0 King, we found the field at the rising of the sun and the field at the setting of the sun so fruitful that we thought this dense wilderness, so dangerous to life, would not pay for the trouble of clearing.” When they perceived that the King was grieved because of their neglect, Baptizo and Congregatio (the Baptist and American Boards) offered to put laborers there. And it came to pass after many days .iiiiitiiiiiiiiiniiitiiiiiiiiiiiiitiitMiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiitiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiKiitiiiiiiiiitiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii. -■iiiiiiitiittiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiitiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiitiitiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiii' that they sought release from the King in order that they might take up work in the fields beyond (Burmah and China). The King released them from this wilderness work after many of the laborers had laid down their lives. The King pondered for many days over whom he should call. And it came to pass in the night that he bethought himself of Presbyter (the Presbyterian Board), a devout man, who feared the King with all his house, a courageous, untiring worker. He called him into his presence and told him how the South Field was neglected. He told him that, with faithful clearing, cutting and killing of wild beasts, the field would be more beautiful than his present cultivated fields. Presbyter answered and said: “O King, I will go forth. I will consult my household. I will talk to my stalwart sons and daughters. I will return and let thee know who among my household will be ready to do this hard work.” And Presbyter arose very early in the morning and stood before the presence of the King. “O King,” he said, ‘T find but one son (Rev. William Buell) with his wife willing to go forth. Is it well?” And the King answered and said, “It is well.” And it came to pass after these two were gone forth, that the dreadful plague and the fright from the wild beasts drove away their strength. So, sick unto death, they returned to their own garden of peace and plenty. And it came to pass after three times had passed, that Presbyter found four brave children (Rev. D. Mattoon and wife and Dr. and Mrs. House) to take up this South Field, which the King had set his heart upon. And they went forth and the wilderness shut them in. In time good news came from the four brave ones, and Presbyter found other few who were willing to go, because they loved the King and .illlllllllllllltKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIItllllllllllllllllllliilMlllllllllllllllllllllllilllllllltlli. 3 'iitiiiMiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiii)' liked hard places. Still others joined these four, but some laid down their work. They said that it was a waste of labor, for this South Field never could be made to bring forth fruit. And it came to pass, after a score and seven years had passed, that four among these faithful few (Rev. Mr. and Mrs. McGilvary and Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson) saw beyond a very small field like unto this South Field, but with better sbil (Laos). They secured Presbyter’s consent to go up and clear this very fertile little North Field. So they laid down the heavy work of axe, knife and plow, and made this little field their abode. In a few years, after much terrible strife with wild beasts of the forests and poisonous insects, this little North Field blos¬ somed as the rose. They planted pleasant plants and every tree that is good to the sight; also many strange slips that gave forth good fruit. A river they found that went forth to water the field and precious fruits filled the little North Field. After many years had passed there were three¬ score and more brave children in this North Field. They saw that it was good and pleasant, and they said one to another: “The King spake aright when he said that this field would blossom as the rose; so now let us reach out to the regions beyond to the far north. We will send four of our number (Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Dodd and Dr. and Mrs. Mason) with axe and knife to begin the work there (Chieng Rung, China).” Meanwhile, the South Field had not prospered as the little North Field. The laborers were so pitifully few and the soil so unyielding. The first clearing they had called Wild Olive Plantation (Bangkok). Here they planted a sugar palm grove called Wang Lang (Harriet House School). This clearing and killing of wild beasts ..limit...... -IIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIIIIIIIIItllllllllllllMIIIIIIIIHIIIIIIIIIIIIIMUlimillUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMMIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIIIIUIMIIIMIIIIItl'' was all done by women’s hands. They arc now opening another clearing where they will make lotus gardens and mango groves and other tropical gar¬ dens and orchards. A cocoanut palm grove was started here also, and now it has increased a hundredfold. This is called Christo (Christian College). Here brave men and women work together. A large clearing is made and rice fields fill the low places. Near by is a cotton field (Printing Press). Bales of cotton have been sent out from this place for scores of years. Later a sugar-cane field flourished called First Good Deeds (Boon-Itt Memorial). The syrup made from this field gladdens the hearts of many peoples. Promiscuous gardens of pine-apples (General Tour¬ ing) are planted here and there wherever there is a little clearing. Pine-apples need little care and cultivation, but yield abundantly. There are not one score of workers here—only sixteen in the Wild Olive Plantation. Many have perished while toiling in the heat, but ere they rested from their labors they rejoiced with joy and singing to see the labor of their hands growing and multi¬ plying. After a score of years had passed they sent forth four brave children to clear a place distant three days’ journey by boat, which they called Diamond Plantation (Petchaburi). Here they planted the same kind of gardens as in Wild Olive Plantation. Here they also have a nursery (Hospital), and from this place many small trees are transplanted through¬ out this region. Here the pineapple gardens cover much space. In Diamond Plantation there are nine laborers endeavoring to gather in the harvest. Near the store-house is a little sacred spot fenced about. Here arc not only several brave children buried, but ......limit. '■lllllllllllllllMIIIIUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII1IIIIMIMIIIIIMIIIIItllllllllllinill1MIIIIUII1llllllllllMIIIIIIII1IIIIIIIM1IIM1llllll>' there is a row of little babies’ graves, while growing around about this sacred resting place the beautiful sago palms add shade and shelter. About two score years after they sent forth four to a place in the north called Saloke (Pitsanuloke), where the same kind of gardens flourish. Saloke is as large as the little North Field, and now there are six toiling away there obeying the King. The laborers in the little North Field pass through Saloke on their way north and look Hospital, Nakawn with pity upon the few laborers; yet, as far as they have had strength to clear the wilderness, the gar¬ dens are producing some thirty, some sixty, and some a hundred fold. Flere the headman of the Nursery (Dr. Shellman) laid down his life, unable to endure longer the burden and heat of the day. The same year when Saloke’s cultivation was be¬ gun four brave children were sent to Nakawn. To¬ day there are only four, for two have passed to their r> '■tlllllllllllilOllllllllllllllllllljlllMlilllllllltigilllMIMIIIIIIilllllltlllllllllillliniltlllllllllllllllMIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIMI'’ reward (Mrs. Swart and Miss Cooper). A small clearing is made where their bodies are laid to rest; the periwinkle and white lilies grow over their graves, and their works are carried on. After three score years and ten again four brave children were sent forth farther south. They called the plantation Noon Rest (Tap Tieng). The same gardens flourish here as in other plantations; but the pineapple gardens (Touring) cover large space. One of the brave children (Dr. E. P. Dunlap), after long years of labor in most of the plantations men¬ tioned and after working here for seven years, was called to his reward in heaven. His body lies on a sunny green slope lately cleared, and a royal palm stands sentinel over his grave. Thus the South Field laborers have in four score years made these five clearings. One wilderness (Korat), the size of North Field, is yet untouched. They toil far into the night, weary, hands torn, feet bleeding, eyes dimmed from the heat and burden of the years! Throughout the sleepless nights they are praying for more laborers for the vast spaces untouched, and for help to gather in the present harvest which is abundant. These few have cleared a space; they have sown the seed; but it takes many harvesters to gather in the grain. Ravenous birds from the mountains are feeding on this over-ripened grain now falling from the ear. What might this South Field have been with laborers as many as in other fields? Look and behold the clearing and planting that has been done by these two score and four workers! At this present New Era the King speaks to Pres¬ byter and says: “O Presbyter, the time is short. Seek laborers as never before. Persuade some of the home laborers to go forth from their gardens of spikenard and m 3 ’rrh (Home Church), from their .ill...I.. 7 gardens of roses and lilies, from the banks of sweet herbs and the beds of spices. Persuade them to leave their wells of living waters, their flowing streams, their homes as fair as the morning, their skies as clear as the sun; where the day is cool and the shadows flee away; where their going forth will be like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest. Per¬ suade them to go forth in order that they may strengthen the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees and say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not; for we are going forth to help you. Persuade them to go forth so that gladness and beauty and the voice of melody may be found therein; so that the wilderness and the dry ground shall be glad, and the desert shall rejoice and blos¬ som as the rose.” Note. —Some societies have not the definite knowledge of missions in Siam which should form the background for this parable. Leaders of such societies may use this as an outline, requiring their members to fill it out with historical data. For instance, the dates of the occurrences may be written in ink in the proper places—date-palms seem not to have been cultivated in these fields!—descriptions of Boon Itt Memorial, Harriet House School, etc., may be called for. In short, much of the history of Siam and its missions may, with the aid of the Historical Sketch, be woven into this unusual parable. Editor. October, igig. Leaflets for Reference Historical Sketch.lo Boon Itt .05 Question Book.05 Water Ways and Jungle Side Lights on Siam... .05 Paths.03 Hospitals in Siam.05 Visiting a Missionary.. .05 Schools and Colleges... .05 Jubilee Series, Then and Now Ready hi Preparation Africa Persia South America Syria India China Siam Korea Philailclpliia Board Japan Fft'c cents each. .iiiiitinMiliiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiii. 8