SKETCHES OF SIAM AND LAOS

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This book is a window to Thailand as it looked to the earliest missionaries. The chapters have been contributed by a selection of the men and women who sailed from America to live and work in another world, and among an unknown people. The contributions of these missionaries have special value. For years, in their times, they came into close contact with the people in their homes, schools, wats and markets. They mingled as honored guests in social gatherings and at official ceremonials, enjoying full opportunity of experiencing the native people at work, at play and at worship. As teachers, physicians, translators and trusted counselors they were recognized as public benefactors by the king and many high officials. Modern Thailand owes the introduction of printing, European literature, geography, science, modern medical practice, surgery and many other basics of the modern world to the American missionaries of the 1800's. They stimulated philosophical inquiry, paved the way for foreign intercourse with western nations, leavened the social and intellectual ideas of the "Young Siam" party, and, almost imperceptibly, but steadily, brought light to the old hopeless Buddhist theories with the regenerating force of gospel truth. The young king Chulalongkorn publicly testified: "The American missionaries have lived in Siam a long time, they have been noble men and women, and have put their hearts into teaching the people, old and young, that which is good, and also various arts beneficial to my kingdom and people. Long may they live, and never may they leave us!