In the annals of missions much has been made of the long years of patient labour before a first convert was gained in other lands. It is written of Judson that he preached the Gospel six years in Burma before a native made confession of the Christian faith. Morrison patiently taught the Gospel seven years in China before he was rewarded with one disciple. The Telegu mission in India is described as one of the most remarkable in the history of missions in the contrast between the first long fruitless period and then the rapid growth; and in confirmation it is cited that “at the end of two decades only one native assistant could be reported, one church with nine members and two schools with sixty-three pupils.”
But in Siam, from the time Dr. Gutzlaff arrived until the first enduring convert from among the Siamese was gained, thirty-one years elapsed. It is true that during those years much of the energy of the other missions had been directed toward the conversion of the ex-patriate Chinese, from whom there had been an encouraging response; none the less, the Siamese were also the object of constant prayer and faithful wooing. From the time that Dr. House and Mr. Mattoon reached Siam to devote themselves particularly to the winning of the Siamese, twelve years and six months passed before one lone Siamese renounced the faith of his fathers and acknowledged the Christian religion to be the truth. These wearisome years of waiting were lengthened in their tediousness by the chagrin of having impostors simulate conversion for iniquitous ends.
The story of this remarkable first native convert is best given by Dr. House in his own way. First under date of March 6, 1859, he writes home of the promise of the first-fruit:
“I have had a long talk with Nai Chune. Since the fourth month of last year he has been convinced of the truth of Christianity. He has broken the necks of his household gods and melted them. ‘If I think he venerates the gods still he will go into the temple and do the same.’ Those stories in their sacred books about its raining diamonds and gold he regards not like the beneficent miracles of Christ which I told him.
“I was going to give him some idea of the historical evidences when he cut me short by saying, ‘I have tried Buddhism—and what benefit has it been to me? I have thrown away a large part of my life in studying it. But I was a child then—God must forgive me.’ He has ceased to gamble and to drink spirits, to both of which he formerly was addicted. He says that he sometimes weeps with joy when he thinks of God’s goodness to him. He prays to Jehovah, keeps the Sabbath, and for months has been a faithful attendant on preaching, to which he often invites his acquaintances, bringing them with him.
“He is an educated man of about forty years, has a wife but no living children. He was once a priest, in the king’s own watt for some eight years. At one time he used to call upon me often and learned several chemical experiments. Since the mission moved to its new location in his neighbourhood (where he has a small property) he called to renew acquaintance. I had much conversation with him formerly about religion; but he seemed almost too willing to believe. I mistrusted his motives, past experience having made me too cautious perhaps. When he called subsequently I had no confidence in his sincerity. Mr. Mattoon, however, thought somewhat better of him.
“He is now the Siamese teacher of our school, and is very faithful to his duties. The most interesting feature of his case and what, with other things, has removed my doubts, is the true moral courage with which he avows his change of his belief to his countrymen and relatives. I do not think anything but the grace of God could make a Siamese brave enough to do this.”
Five months later, the doctor records the reception of the convert into the Mission Church on Aug. 7, 1859:
“My eyes have at length been permitted to see what has long been my heart’s desire and prayer to God, the baptism of a Siamese. Nay, to my unworthy hands has this privilege fallen, to receive into the visible fold of Christ by the ordinance of His appointing this new member of the flock.
“For over twelve years of hope deferred has this great blessing been sought and prayed for, but ‘sought and never found’ till now. Blessed be the name of Him who in His mercy and sovereign grace has been pleased to visit us with His favour and make the teaching and preaching of His servants here the means at last of bringing one heathen soul out of nature’s darkness into the light and peace of His kingdom.