Page:Brief sketches of Siam (Smith, 1909).pdf/11

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
4
Brief Sketches of Siam

on till his death in 1873 he was a self-supporting missionary.

At the present time the American B. M. U., the A. B. C. F. M., and the A. M. A. have no representative labourers for the Siamese on the field,

The missionaries of the A. B. M. U. who have laboured for the Chinese in Siam were Rev. William Dean, D.D., Rev. Josiah Goddard, Rev, E. N. Jenks, Rev. William Ashmore, D. D., Rev. Robert Telford, Rev. Mr, Lisle, Rev. Mr. Frazer and Rev. Mr. Foster, D. D.

In the latter part of 1833 Dr. Jones baptized three Chinamen. This was the first baptism by immersion ever performed in the river Menam. This was the commencement of the now flourishing Chinese Baptist Church of Bangkok. From this church has sprung up the flourishing baptist churches now existing in Swatow, Ningpo and other localities in China.

The American Presbyterian Board is the only body having representatives in Siam at present. They have many growing churches, out-stations and flourishing schools in many locations in Siam.

The work of Dr. Jones during his 18 years residence was a complete translation of the New Testament, Hints to the Wise, Golden Balance, Summary of Christianity. His first wife Eliza Grew Jones prepared the Old Testament History and several small pamphlets. All these works were printed at the American Baptist Mission Press of Bangkok and were freely circulated among the people. In January 1851 a destructive fire extended to the Baptist Mission Compound and con-