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> 45<br />
The First Mission Field, HsiPaw (1889)<br />
HsiPaw was one <strong>of</strong> the capitals <strong>of</strong> the Northern pr<strong>in</strong>cipality <strong>of</strong> <strong>Shan</strong> States under SaoPha<br />
control. Rev. Cush<strong>in</strong>g first visited HsiPaw <strong>in</strong> the year 1868. Cush<strong>in</strong>g reported on January 1, 1887 that it<br />
was impossible to visit any <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Shan</strong> pr<strong>in</strong>cipalities on account <strong>of</strong> the unsettled relations <strong>of</strong> all the<br />
pr<strong>in</strong>ces to the English Government so that Cush<strong>in</strong>g and Mr. Calder had to stay <strong>in</strong> Mandalay. Toward the<br />
close <strong>of</strong> the month the HsiPaw SaoPha, who had been helped by Dr. Cush<strong>in</strong>g when he had difficulties<br />
with the British government <strong>in</strong> Rangoon, arrived <strong>in</strong> Mandalay. He recognized Cush<strong>in</strong>g by acqua<strong>in</strong>tance<br />
<strong>of</strong> former years and he very cordially gave repeated <strong>in</strong>vitation to Cush<strong>in</strong>g to come and live <strong>in</strong> HsiPaw.<br />
He also <strong>of</strong>fered some <strong>of</strong> his children as his pupils if I would establish a school there. Thus early <strong>in</strong> 1890<br />
Cush<strong>in</strong>g escorted Dr. and Mrs. M. B. Kirkpatrick to HsiPaw, and opened a new station. Dr. Kirkpatrick,<br />
although suffer<strong>in</strong>g from a sickness, which he knew it would take his life, persisted <strong>in</strong> work<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><br />
HsiPaw as long as he could. Rev. Dr. M. B. Kirkpatrick, M.D. died on February 10, 1915 and was<br />
buried <strong>in</strong> the Christian cemetery <strong>in</strong> HsiPaw. Dr. and Mrs. Leeds arrived <strong>in</strong> HsiPaw on Saturday, March<br />
26, 1890. That was the first mission station to be established <strong>in</strong> the <strong>Shan</strong> country. Hospital and school<br />
were later opened. SaoPha <strong>of</strong> HsiPaw donated land and money for the missions. The hospital also<br />
received some f<strong>in</strong>ancial support from government. 24<br />
Hospital preach<strong>in</strong>g, Bible tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g, Sunday school, bazaar preach<strong>in</strong>g, jail meet<strong>in</strong>g and<br />
distribut<strong>in</strong>g gospel tracts were their ma<strong>in</strong> m<strong>in</strong>istries conducted by missionaries. Mr. W.C. Lambert was<br />
the first missionary to be murdered <strong>in</strong> HsiPaw by a thief on May 23, 1895 early morn<strong>in</strong>g. He was a<br />
dedicated schoolteacher.<br />
Medical work<br />
SaoPha, as a chief and head <strong>of</strong> the community, knew the importance <strong>of</strong> health care for the<br />
people. He supported missionaries <strong>in</strong> their medical work by giv<strong>in</strong>g them land, money and help<strong>in</strong>g them<br />
build the hospital. In f<strong>in</strong>ancial support, s<strong>in</strong>ce the mission board could not give all, SaoPha gave rupees<br />
500, British Chief Commissioner gave rupees 500 and rupees 500 received from the government<br />
because the hospital had also cared for many government employees. SaoPha had given the logs and<br />
about twenty men saw<strong>in</strong>g lumber and twenty carpenters at work on the frame and the coolies had the<br />
postholes all dug. The patients came from many villages near and some had come from very distant<br />
places. SaoPha and other members <strong>of</strong> their families were among the patients.<br />
Dr. Leeds reported <strong>in</strong> 1904 that the population <strong>in</strong> HsiPaw was 4,000. The average mortality rate<br />
was 65%. They made two extensive tours <strong>in</strong> January and February and preached gospel to <strong>Shan</strong> people.<br />
Preachers had regular meet<strong>in</strong>g at appo<strong>in</strong>ted time and places to preach the gospel to the public. There<br />
were 3 baptized, 2 restored, 2 deaths, 2 exclusions and 52 students enrolled at school <strong>in</strong> a year. The<br />
system <strong>of</strong> bribery was so <strong>in</strong>wrought <strong>in</strong>to the nature <strong>of</strong> the people that they did not look upon it as wrong<br />
do<strong>in</strong>g. A total <strong>of</strong> 1,346 out-patients, 20 <strong>in</strong>-patients, 165 visits, and 15 operations under chlor<strong>of</strong>orm were<br />
performed. Receipts rupees 334 <strong>in</strong> a year. A new brick hospital was built <strong>in</strong> 1903 cost<strong>in</strong>g $ 4,500 which<br />
was raised locally.<br />
School<br />
It was reported <strong>in</strong> 1895 by Dr. Kirkpatrick, “There are forty-two pupils enrolled, thirteen from<br />
Christian families and twenty-n<strong>in</strong>e from heathen families. We have the joy <strong>of</strong> see<strong>in</strong>g those who come<br />
regularly tak<strong>in</strong>g a real <strong>in</strong>terest <strong>in</strong> Bible study. After be<strong>in</strong>g a few months <strong>in</strong> school they ask for a New<br />
Testament to take home with them and then we feel hopeful for the next th<strong>in</strong>g would be the question<br />
what must I do to be saved? I have baptized eight from the school, the last one be<strong>in</strong>g our eldest son.” 25<br />
24 The Baptist work among the <strong>Shan</strong> by Dr. Ai Lun and Rev. E.E. Sowards, p354<br />
25 81st Annual Report, 1895, Baptist Missionary Union, pp44-45