[Gutenberg 63879] • Siam and Laos, as Seen by Our American Missionaries

Excerpt from Siam and Laos, as Seen by Our American Missionaries

The contributions of our missionaries have spe cial value. For years they have been brought into close contact with the people in their homes, schools, wats and markets, mingling as honored guests in social gatherings and at official cere monials, enjoying full opportunity of studying the natives at work, at play and at worship. As teachers, physicians, translators and trusted coun selors they are recognized as public benefactors by the king and many high officials. Siam owes the introduction of printing, European litera ture, vaccination, modern medical practice, sur gery and many useful mechanical appliances to our American missionaries. They have stimu lated philosophical inquiry, paved the way for foreign intercourse with civilized nations, given a great shock to the grosser forms of idolatry among the more enlightened, leavened the social and intellectual ideas of the Young Siam party, and, almost imperceptibly, but steadily, undermined the old hopeless Buddhist theories with the regenerating force of gospel truth.

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