History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo
History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo
History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo
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Baptist mission among the <strong>Shan</strong> 43<br />
Translation <strong>of</strong> Old Testament was f<strong>in</strong>ished <strong>in</strong> January 1885. 18 The revision <strong>of</strong> the Old Testament was<br />
completed <strong>in</strong> October 1889 and Old Testament was pr<strong>in</strong>ted <strong>in</strong> 1891. 19<br />
The first <strong>Shan</strong> Hymnbook<br />
In May 1877, Cush<strong>in</strong>g left Bhamo for Toungoo accompanied with Mrs. Lyon whose husband<br />
passed away <strong>in</strong> March. At Toungoo he immediately began a revision <strong>of</strong> <strong>Shan</strong> Gospels, Acts and <strong>Shan</strong><br />
dictionary, which was completed <strong>in</strong> November 1876. In August 1878 Cush<strong>in</strong>g went to Rangoon to<br />
attend to the long delayed <strong>Shan</strong> pr<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g process. In November 1878 a small <strong>Shan</strong> hymnbook, the<br />
Gospel <strong>of</strong> Mark, most <strong>of</strong> Acts and fifty-six pages <strong>of</strong> <strong>Shan</strong> dictionary were pr<strong>in</strong>ted. 20<br />
He left Rangoon with Rev. and Mrs. W.H. Roberts on December 14, 1879 and went to<br />
Mandalay where they rema<strong>in</strong>ed until December 31 and started for Bhamo. Cush<strong>in</strong>g and Roberts arrived<br />
Bhamo on January 12, 1879. Mrs. Cush<strong>in</strong>g spent most <strong>of</strong> the year at Toungoo car<strong>in</strong>g as best she could<br />
for the mission work there. She had two Bible-women and a small school under her care.<br />
The four gospels<br />
Because <strong>of</strong> poor health Cush<strong>in</strong>g returned to America for a year and returned to <strong>Burma</strong> aga<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong><br />
December 1879. Rev. Mix came to Toungoo to relieve Cush<strong>in</strong>g so that Cush<strong>in</strong>g would move to<br />
Rangoon to work on translation. Just before leav<strong>in</strong>g Toungoo, Cush<strong>in</strong>g had the privilege <strong>of</strong> baptiz<strong>in</strong>g<br />
six. He arrived at Rangoon with his family on February 1, 1880 and immediately began pr<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g. The<br />
Four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John <strong>in</strong> <strong>Shan</strong> were pr<strong>in</strong>ted <strong>of</strong> a uniform size. 21<br />
<strong>Shan</strong> literature<br />
In 1880, after thirteen years <strong>of</strong> language study, Cush<strong>in</strong>g was able to f<strong>in</strong>ish Elementary<br />
Handbook <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Shan</strong> Language, 8 volumes, 121 pages and pr<strong>in</strong>ted at the expense <strong>of</strong> the English<br />
Government. It was designed as a help to persons desir<strong>in</strong>g to learn the <strong>Shan</strong> language. In 1881 a <strong>Shan</strong><br />
and English dictionary was pr<strong>in</strong>ted. 22 In 1887, <strong>Shan</strong> grammar was revised, enlarged and republished.<br />
The <strong>Shan</strong> Handbook was also revised, enlarged and had sixty-four pages.<br />
The First <strong>Shan</strong> Church <strong>in</strong> Toungoo<br />
A <strong>Burma</strong>n-<strong>Shan</strong> Church was formed <strong>in</strong> Toungoo <strong>in</strong> January 1863 just one year after Bixby<br />
arrived. <strong>Burma</strong>n-<strong>Shan</strong> Church comprised <strong>of</strong> <strong>Shan</strong> and <strong>Burma</strong>ns. But only Burmese language was used<br />
<strong>in</strong> Church service mak<strong>in</strong>g <strong>Shan</strong> uncomfortable and want<strong>in</strong>g to have their own congregation us<strong>in</strong>g <strong>Shan</strong><br />
language. Early <strong>in</strong> the year <strong>of</strong> 1882, the <strong>Shan</strong> withdrew from the “<strong>Burma</strong>n-<strong>Shan</strong> Church” and formed a<br />
Church by themselves. 23 After Cush<strong>in</strong>g arrival from Rangoon on temporary visit to Toungoo when Rev.<br />
Mix was go<strong>in</strong>g back to America because <strong>of</strong> poor health, the organization <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Shan</strong> Church was<br />
completed. Cush<strong>in</strong>g was a real support to the <strong>Shan</strong>. Besides regular services <strong>in</strong> town, weekly meet<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
at the outstation <strong>of</strong> Kundaugone were re-established and several visits made to Hluah-b<strong>in</strong>zark, the other<br />
outstation where there were some attentive listeners. Miss. Rockwood arrived Toungoo <strong>in</strong> 1880 and<br />
took charge the boys’ school on the <strong>Shan</strong> compound s<strong>in</strong>ce the departure <strong>of</strong> Mrs. Mix.<br />
Miss. Rockwood had typhoid fever and after a few days’ illness she passed away to the better land <strong>in</strong><br />
August 1882. Cush<strong>in</strong>g baptized six <strong>Shan</strong> at <strong>Shan</strong> Church <strong>in</strong> 1888 on his short visit to Toungoo.<br />
18 “The <strong>Shan</strong> Mission” `By Rev. J. N. Cush<strong>in</strong>g, D. D. Boston, American Baptist Missionary Union 1893, p19<br />
19 Rev. Dr. Cush<strong>in</strong>g, Josiah Nelson. D. D, Ph. D. By Henry Melville K<strong>in</strong>g (Philadelphia: American Baptist Publication<br />
Society, 1907) p15<br />
20 65th Annual Report, July 1879, American Baptist Missionary Union, pp27-29<br />
21 67th Annual Report, July 1881, American Baptist Missionary Union, pp55-65<br />
22 68th Annual Report, July 1882, American Baptist Missionary Union, pp54-55<br />
23 Ibid