“It requires no little faith to conduct, day after day and year after year, these patient labours; especially as they have not resulted in the conversion of those on whom time, talents and prayers of the missionaries are spent.”

This increase in school was so rapid that shortly after they had established themselves on the site granted by the king it became evident that this lot in the city would not allow for the expansion commensurate with the growth. With the awakening of a desire for education and of an interest in the foreign religion the earlier necessity of having a location within the city itself had passed, for what the mission had to offer was being sought after. Accordingly, a parcel of ground, the gift of Mr. D. O. King, was obtained on the west bank of the river in the lower suburbs known as Sumray. There new buildings were erected, and in November, 1857, the transfer of the mission was effected to that site, which became the scene of the most notable achievements of the mission in Bangkok and continues to the present day the center of a pervasive Christian influence.

At the end of the first year in the new location, Dr. House wrote home: “School occupies me much of the time. We have a new Siamese teacher, a most respectable old gentleman; may he get good from us, saving good.” This teacher was Nai Chune, who, a year later, became the first Siamese convert. The significance of this addition to the teaching force is that the pupils are no longer predominantly Chinese lads, but that the demand for teaching the Siamese language requires a native teacher.

The winter season, being free from rains, was the time best suited for touring in the country. In February of 1858 Dr. and Mrs. House started up the Meinam to revisit the scenes of their former tour. Finding the river alive with pilgrims going to Prabat for the annual veneration of Buddha’s footprint, they decided to join the pilgrimage as affording an excellent opportunity for distributing tracts. On this visit to the shrine the visitors did not experience the same opposition to entering the sanctum as Dr. House had on his first visit.

A PRESBYTERY ORGANISED

The recruits to the mission force so far had been temporary additions only. Owing to the death of his wife, followed by the failure of his own health, Mr. Bush was compelled to resign after four years. Mr. Morse, who went out upon Dr. House’s return, was forced to give up within two years by reason of health. At the end of ten years there had been only one net increase in the mission force, Mrs. House. In 1858 two men arrived who became important factors in the work, Rev. Daniel McGilvary and Rev. Jonathan Wilson, with his wife. When the announcement was received that these two men had been commissioned, Dr. House wrote home:

“These two friends became interested in Siam mission at the time of my visit to Princeton. If they reach us, I shall have new reason to bless the heavenly Guide who led me almost unwillingly back to my native land.”

The doctor’s estimate of the reflex benefit to Siam from that trip to America was all too modest; for that visit was the beginning of an ever increasing interest in that country on the part of the church and of a constantly enlarging supply of men and money. Concerning this visit to Princeton, Dr. McGilvary says in his Autobiography:

“I was entering upon my senior year when it was announced that Dr. S. R. House, of Siam, would address the students. Expectation was on tip-toe to hear from this new kingdom of Siam. The address was a revelation to me.... My hesitation was ended....

“The call found Jonathan Wilson and myself in much the same state of expectancy, awaiting for a clear revelation of duty. After anxious consultation and prayer together and with Dr. House, we promised him that we would give the matter our serious thought; and that if the Lord should lead us thither we would go.”