Siam and Laos, as Seen by Our American Missionaries
History
Siam and Laos, as Seen by Our American Missionaries
Laos -- Description and travel; Missions -- Laos; Missions -- Thailand; Thailand -- Description and travel
“I must tell you of the latest great excitement we have created. Many
years ago our mission-compound was a temple-ground, but the temple was
all in ruins when the mission took this land, and the débris was used
for leveling the ground, and in this débris an old idol was buried.
This has always been considered a very sacred spot, and many people
have brought offerings of fruit and flowers to be placed near the spot
where the idol was supposed to be. We have always refused them
admission to our grounds, but they often come at night unknown to us
and bring their offerings. Last week we were having our bank of the
river diked, and the workmen found the idol. Mr. Wilson had them
disinter it. As soon as the people heard what was done they came in
great numbers to see the god they had been so long worshiping――an
image of Buddha, of sandstone, about five feet high, sitting in
Oriental fashion on a large stone pillar. It had doubtless once been
gilded, but not a ray of glory remained, and it was both headless and
crippled in one arm. The next day Mr. Wilson took an axe and
demolished the god. Then you should have seen the people, and
especially the children, come and peep through the fence, and, half
frightened at the sacrilegious deed that was being done, hurry away
again. We intend to utilize this old relic by making a garden-seat of
the pedestal and a mound for ferns of the broken pieces.”
Another lady describes a picnic given to some newly-arrived
missionaries by a Cheung Mai princess:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account