Samuel Reynolds House of Siam, pioneer medical missionary, 1847-1876Feltus, George Haws
History
Samuel Reynolds House of Siam, pioneer medical missionary, 1847-1876
Feltus, George Haws
House, Samuel Reynolds, 1817-1899
The winter season, being free from rains, was the time best suited
for touring in the country. In February of 1858 Dr. and Mrs. House
started up the Meinam to revisit the scenes of their former tour.
Finding the river alive with pilgrims going to Prabat for the
annual veneration of Buddha’s footprint, they decided to join the
pilgrimage as affording an excellent opportunity for distributing
tracts. On this visit to the shrine the visitors did not experience
the same opposition to entering the sanctum as Dr. House had on his
first visit.
A PRESBYTERY ORGANISED
The recruits to the mission force so far had been temporary
additions only. Owing to the death of his wife, followed by the
failure of his own health, Mr. Bush was compelled to resign after
four years. Mr. Morse, who went out upon Dr. House’s return, was
forced to give up within two years by reason of health. At the end
of ten years there had been only one net increase in the mission
force, Mrs. House. In 1858 two men arrived who became important
factors in the work, Rev. Daniel McGilvary and Rev. Jonathan
Wilson, with his wife. When the announcement was received that
these two men had been commissioned, Dr. House wrote home:
“These two friends became interested in Siam mission at the
time of my visit to Princeton. If they reach us, I shall have
new reason to bless the heavenly Guide who led me almost
unwillingly back to my native land.”
The doctor’s estimate of the reflex benefit to Siam from that trip
to America was all too modest; for that visit was the beginning
of an ever increasing interest in that country on the part of the
church and of a constantly enlarging supply of men and money.
Concerning this visit to Princeton, Dr. McGilvary says in his
Autobiography:
“I was entering upon my senior year when it was announced
that Dr. S. R. House, of Siam, would address the students.
Expectation was on tip-toe to hear from this new kingdom of
Siam. The address was a revelation to me.... My hesitation
was ended....
“The call found Jonathan Wilson and myself in much the same
state of expectancy, awaiting for a clear revelation of duty.
After anxious consultation and prayer together and with Dr.
House, we promised him that we would give the matter our
serious thought; and that if the Lord should lead us thither
we would go.”
With the increase of ordained men on the field, the time seemed
ripe to associate themselves together in the official relationship
of a Presbytery. At an informal meeting in the summer of 1858 the
following call was issued:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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