History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo

Baptist mission among the Shan 57
materially assisting he does not openly oppose our work. He kindly gave me permission
yesterday to build a preaching zayat close by our large bazaar, a work that has been
sadly neglected hitherto from lack of suitable helpers. I aim to close the present financial
year with twenty boarding pupils in school and much returns from faithful evangelistic
work as the Master may see fit to give.” 54
Dr. Kirkpatrick reported from HsiPaw in 1895,
“NamKham is one of the many large towns in the ShweLi valley, Northern Shan State,
on the border between Burma and China. It was under control of HsenWi SaoPha. The
people in the valley are mostly Shan. The people on the hills are mostly Palong and
Kachin. Both tribes know Shan so that most of them can be reached by a Shan
mission.” 55
Cochrane reported on September 14, 1896,
“We expect to organize a native Church here soon with probably not far from twenty
members. We shall aim to raise the pastor’s salary at least from the start. In truth I told
Dr. Kirkpatrick that I did not favor the organization of a local Church until it would
pledge itself to support its own pastor. It is better to wait and start right. This station was
never in so prosperous a condition as it is now bazaar meetings thronged, little school
growing, helpers increasing and permanent buildings in view.” 56
Dr. Kirkpatrick reported in May 1898,
“At December 1898 communion service there were thirty-five people to sit around the
Lord’s table. From October the Church pays the pastor’s salary twenty rupees per month.
The past year has been one of seed sowing and quiet but we believe healthy growth. We
have been able to keep up all departments of the work but not to make as much advance
as we hoped, first for lack of appropriations; secondly for lack of helpers. Only by the
help of some generous specific donations we were able to keep on our present staff of
native helpers. The appropriations for the coming year are sufficient and we have the
prospect of more native helpers soon.” “I submit that it is not for the best interest of the
work, nor economy for the society, nor for the good of the missionary on the field to
have but one missionary family for a station in these far frontier fields. Here, where we
are more isolated than any other station in Burma, for we are four days from the nearest
post office or telegraph office we are entirely alone. Before coming here I was promised
an associate within a year if possible. Now nearly four years have gone and I have
neither seen nor heard anything of any one on the way. During the year ten have been
baptized and one member of the Church has died leaving the present membership thirtynine.
There are six other Christians here who have not yet brought their letters so that all
we have forty-five. Some have asked for baptism and doubtless will be received at the
next Church meeting. Our work has mostly been in the vicinity of NamKham and our
two outstations but we have made some jungle trips. Our chapel is well filled at the
Sunday services. I had forty-six in the adult Bible class last Sunday. The prayer meeting
for workers at half past six every morning has been a great help and blessing. The
meetings held each bazaar day in a large zayat in the bazaar are well attended. Estimate
the average attendance is nearly one thousand many being traders and people from a
distance which we reach in no other way. The attendance at the gospel meetings at the
hospital both morning and afternoon is good while more than five thousand patients have
received treatment and about six thousand prescriptions have been dispensed. The
hospital assistant is a Karen man and a very earnest Christian. He makes many visits
54 82nd Annual Report, 1896, American Baptist Missionary Union, pp289-290
55 The Baptist Missionary Magazine 1895, pp44-45
56 Letter from Rev. W. W. Cochrane, NamKham, Sept. 14, 1896, The Baptist Missionary Magazine, Dec. 1896, p577