The Chinese Repository/Volume 1/Number 1/Journal of a Residence in Siam
Journal of a residence in Siam, and of a voyage along the coast of China to Mantchou Tartary, by the Rev. Charles Gutzlaff.
[We are happy in being able to bring before our readers a Journal of so novel and interesting a character as that which we commence below. To an individual, who sees millions of his species wrapt in the gloom of ignorance and idolatrous superstitions, and devotes himself to the noble service of working out their deliverance, the considerations of civilized and Christian society, and of home, will not, in the least degree, lose their value; on the contrary, as they are viewed in contrast, their value is enhanced, while yet they are willingly foregone, and are counted but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Mr. G. is from the neighbourhood of Stettin; about six years ago, he relinquished the most inviting considerations, even royal patronage, to commence the humble labours of a missionary in the East. He is now on a voyage north, expecting to visit Formosa, Loochoo, Japan, Corea, and some of the ports along the coast of China; of this second voyage, it will be in our power, we hope and expect, to give some account at an early period. The population of Bankok, at which place the present journal commences, was four years ago, 401,300 souls, of whom 360,000 were Chinese.]
May 1831. During a residence of almost three years in Siam, I had the high gratification of seeing the prejudices of the natives vanish; and perceived with delight, that a large field amongst the different people who inhabit Siam, was opening. As long as the junks from China stayed, most of the time was taken up by administering to the spiritual and bodily wants of large numbers of Chinese. We experienced this year the peculiar blessings of our divine Saviour. The demand for books, the inquiries after the truth, the friendship shown, were most favourable tokens of divine approbation upon our feeble endeavours. The work of translation proceeded rapidly; we were enabled to illustrate the rudiments of languages hitherto unknown to Europeans; and to embody the substance of our philological researches in small volumes, which will remain in manuscript, presuming that they may be of some advantage to other missionaries. Some individuals, either prompted by curiosity, or drawn by an interest for their own eternal welfare, applied for instruction, and one of them made an open profession of Christianity.
When we first arrived, our appearance spread a general panic. It was well known by the predictions of the Bali books, that a certain religion of the west would vanquish Budhism; and, as the votaries of a western religion had conquered Burmah, people presumed, that their religious principles would prove equally victorious in Siam. By and by, fears subsided; but were, on a sudden, again roused, when there were brought to Bankok, Burman tracts, written by Mr. Judson, in which it was stated that the Gospel would very soon triumph over all false religions. Constant inquiries were made about the certain time, when this should take place; the passages of Holy Writ, which we quoted in confirmation of the grand triumph of Christ's Kingdom, were duly weighed, and only few objections started. At this time, the Siamese looked with great anxiety upon the part which the English would take, in the war between Quedah and themselves. When the King first heard of their neutrality, he exclaimed: 'I behold finally, that there is some truth in Christianity, which formerly, I considered very doubtful.' This favourable opinion influenced the people to become friendly with us. The consequence was, that we gained access to persons of all ranks, and of both sexes. Under such circumstances, it would have been folly to leave the country, if Providence had not ordered other-wise, in disabling me by sickness, from farther labour there. A pain in my lest side, accompanied by headache, great weakness, and want of appetite, threw me upon my couch. Though I endeavoured to rally my robust constitution, I could readily perceive, that I was verging, daily, with quick strides, towards the grave; and a burial place was actually engaged.
Bright as the prospects were, there were also great obstacles in the way, to retard the achievement of our endeavours, the salvation of souls. The Siamese are very fickle, and will often be very anxious to embrace an opinion to-day, which tomorrow they will entirely reject. Their friendship is unsteady; their attachment to the gospel, as the word of eternal life, has never been very sincere; neither could we fully succeed in fixing their minds on the Saviour. Though all religions are tolerated in Siam, yet Budhism is the religion of the state, and all the public institutions are for the promotion of this superstition. A system of the grossest lies, which can find champions only in the biased minds of some scholars in Europe, engrosses, theoretically, as well as practically, the minds of its votaries, and renders every step towards improvement most difficult. We were allowed to preach in the temples of Budha; and the numerous priests were anxious to engage with us in conversation, yet their hearts were, generally, steeled against divine truth.
Budhism is atheism, according to the creed which one of the Siamese high-priests gave me; the highest degree of happiness consists in annihilation; the greatest enjoyment is in indolence; and their sole hope is founded upon endless transmigration. We may very easily conclude what an effect these doctrines must have upon the morals of both priests and laymen, especially, if we keep in mind that they are duly inculcated, and almost every male in Siam, for a certain time, becomes a priest, in order to study them. From the king to the meanest of his subjects, self-sufficiency is characteristic; the former prides himself on account of having acquired so high a dignity for his virtuous deeds in a former life; the latter is firmly assured, that by degrees, in the course of some thousands of years, he will come to the same honor. I regret not to have found one honest man; many have the reputation of being such, but upon nearer inspection they are equally void of this standard virtue. Sordid oppression, priestcraft, allied to wretchedness and filth, are every where to be met. Notwithstanding, the Siamese are superior in morality, to the Malays. They are neither sanguinary nor bigoted, and are not entirely shut against persuasion.
Favored by an over-ruling Providence, I had equal access to the palace, and to the cottage; and was frequently, against my inclination, called to the former. Chow-fa-nooi, the younger brother of the late king and the rightful heir of the crown, is a youth, of about 23, possesing some abilities, which are however swallowed up in childishness. He speaks the English; can write a little; can imitate works of European artisans; and is a decided friend of European sciences, and of Christianity. He courts the friendship of every European; holds free conversation with him, and is anxious to learn whatever he can. He is beloved by the whole nation, which is wearied out by heavy taxes; but his elder brother, Chow-fa-yay, who is just now a priest, is still more beloved. If they ascend the throne, the changes in all the institutions of the country will be great, but perhaps too sudden.—The son of the Phra Klang, or minister of foreign affairs, is of superior intelligence, but has a spirit for intrigue, which renders him formidable at court, and dangerous to foreigners. He looks with contempt upon his whole nation, but crouches before every individual, by means of whom he may gain any influence.—Chow-nin, the step-brother of the King, is a young man, of good talents, which are however spoiled by his habit of smoking opium. Kroma-sun-ton, late brother of the king, and chief justice of the kingdom, was the person by whom I could communicate my sentiments to the king. Officially invited, I spent hours with him in conversation, principally upon Christianity, and often upon the character of the British nation. Though himself a most dissolute person, he requested me to educate his son, (a stupid boy,) and seemed the best medium for communicating Christian truth to the highest personages of the kingdom. At his request, I wrote a work upon Christianity, but he lived not to read it; for he was burnt in his palace in the begining of 1831.—Kroma-khun, brother-in-law to the former king, a stern old man, called in my medical help, and I took occasion to converse with him on religious subjects. He greatly approved of Christian principles, but did not apply to the fountain of all virtue, Jesus Christ. In consequence of an ulcer in his lest side, he again called in my aid; yet his proud son despised the assistance of a barbarian; neither would the royal physicans accept of my advice; and the man soon died. Even a disaster of this description, served to recommend me to his Majesty, the present King, who is naturally fond of Europeans; and he entreated me not to leave the kingdom on any account; but rather to become an officer, in the capacity of a physican.—Paya-meh-tap, the commander in chief of the Siamese army in the war against the Laos or Chans, returning from his victorious exploits, was honored with royal favour, and loaded with the spoils of an oppressed nation, near the brink of destruction. A severe disease prompted him to call me near his person. He promised gold, which he never intended to pay, as a reward for my services. And when restored, he condescended so far as to make me sit down by his side, and converse with him upon various important subjects.—Paya-rak, a man hated by all the Siamese nobility, on account of his mean, intriguing spirit, and sent as a spy to the frontiers of Cochinchina, urged me to explain to him the nature of the gospel; and as he found my discourse reasonable, he gave me a present of dried fish for the trouble I had taken.—The mother of prince Kroma-zorin, one of the wives of the late king, contrasted Evangelical truth with Budhistical nonsense, when she made me meet one of her most favorite priests, of whom she is a decided patron. Though she had built a temple for the accommodation of the priests of Budha, that mass might be constantly performed in behalf of her son, who lately died, she thought it necessary to hear, with all her retinue, the new doctrine, of which so much had been said at court of late.—The sister of Paya-meh-tap invited me, on purpose to hear me explain the doctrine of the gospel, which she, according to her own expression, believed to be the same with the wondrous stories of the Virgin Mary.
In relating these facts I would only remark, that I maintained intercourse with the individuals here mentioned, against my inclination; for it is burdensome and disgusting to cultivate friendship with the Siamese nobles. They used to call at midnight at our cottage, and would frequently send for me at whatever time it might suit their foolish fancies. At the same time, it must be acknowledged that, in this manner. Providence opened a way to speak to their hearts, and also to vindicate the character of Europeans, which is so insidiously misrepresented to the King.
I will mention also a few individuals in the humbler spheres of life, but who profited more by our instructions than any of the nobles. Two priests,—one of them the favorite chaplain of his Majesty, the other a young man of good parts, but without experience,—were anxious to be fully instructed in the doctrines of the gospel. They came during the night, and persevered in their application, even with neglect of the study of Bali, the sacred language, and of their usual services in Budhism. The elder, a most intelligent man, about 20 years of age, continued for months, to repair with the Bible to a forest, boldly incurring the displeasure of the King. He also urged his younger brother to leave his native country, in order to acquire a full knowledge of Christianity and European sciences, so as afterwards to become the instructor of his benighted fellow citizens; a Cambojan priest was willing to embark for the same purpose; and, finally, a company of friends invited me to preach to them, that they might know what was the religion of the Pharangs, or Europeans.
Siam has never received, so much as it ought, the attention of European philanthropists and merchants. It is one of the most fertile countries in Asia. Under a good government it might be superior to Bengal, and Bankok would outweigh Calcutta. But Europeans have always been treated there with distrust, and even insolence, if it could be done with impunity. They have been liable to every sort of petty annoyance, which would weary out the most patient spirit; and have been subjected to the most unheard of oppression. Some of them proposed to introduce some useful arts, which might increase power and riches; for instance, steam engines, saw mills, cannon founderies, cultivation of indigo and coffee; but with the exception of one Frenchman, their offers were all refused; and the latter had to leave the country in disgrace, after having commenced the construction of an engine for boring guns. When works for their benefit were accomplished, their value was lowered, in order to dispense with the necessity of rewarding European industry, and of thereby acknowledging the superiority of European genius.
The general idea, hitherto entertained by the majority of the nation as to the European character, was derived from a small number of Christians, so styled, who, born in the country, and partly descended from Portuguese, crouch before their nobles as dogs, and are employed in all menial services, and occasionally suffered to enlist as soldiers or surgeons. All reproaches heaped upon them, are eventually realized; and their character as faithful children of the Romish church, has been fairly exhibited by drunkenness and cockfighting. No industry, no genius, no honesty is found amongst them, with the exception of one individual, who indeed has a right to claim the latter virtue as his own. From this misconception has emanated all the disgraceful treatment of Europeans up to the time of the war between Burmah and the Company. When the first British envoy arrived, he was treated with contempt, because the extent of English power was not known. When the English had taken Rangoon, it was not believed by the King, until he had sent a trustworthy person to ascertain the fact. Still doubts agitated the royal breast as to the issue of the war with the invincible Burmans. Reluctantly did the Siamese hear of the victories of their British allies, though they were protected thereby from the ravages of the Burmans, who surely would have turned the edge of their swords against them, if the British had not conquered these, their inveterate enemies. Notwithstanding, the Siamese government could gladly hail the emissaries of Burmah, who privately arrived with despatches, the sole object of which was to prevail upon the King of Siam not to assist the English, in case of a breach, upon the plea of common religion and usages. But the national childish vanity of the Siamese in thinking themselves superior to all nations, except the Chinese and Burmans, has vanished; and the more the English arc feared, the better is the treatment which is experienced during their residence in this country. The more the ascendancy of their genius is acknowledged, the more their friendship as individuals is courted, their customs imitated, and their language studied. His Majesty has decked a few straggling wretches in the uniform of Sepoys, and considers them as brave and well-disciplined as their patterns. Chow-fa-nooi, desirous of imitaing foreigners, has built a ship, on a small scale, and intends doing the same on a larger one, as soon as his funds will admit. English, as well as Americans, are disencumbered in their intercourse, and enjoy at present privileges of which even the favored Chinese cannot boast.
The natives of China come in great numbers from Chaou-chow-foo, the most eastern part of Canton Province. They are mostly agriculturists; while another Canton tribe, called the Kih or Ka, consists chiefly of artisans. Emigrants from Tangan (or Tung-an) district, in Fuhkeen province, arc few, mostly sailors or merchants. Those from Hainan are chiefly pedlars and fishermen, and form perhaps the poorest, yet the most cheerful class. Language, as well as customs, derived from the Chaou-chow Chinese, are prevalent throughout the country. They delight to live in wretchedness and filth, and are very anxious to conform to the vile habits of the Siamese. In some cases when they enter into matrimonial alliances with these latter, they even throw away their jackets and trowsers, and become Siamese in their very dress. As the lax, indifferent religious principles of the Chinese, do not differ essentially from those of the Siamese, the former are very prone to conform entirely to the religious rites of the latter. And if they have children, these frequently cut their tails, and become for a certain time Siamese priests. Within two or three generations, all the distinguishing marks of the Chinese character dwindle entirely away; and a nation which adheres so obstinately to its national customs becomes wholly changed to Siamese. These people usually neglect their own literature, and apply themselves to the Siamese. To them nothing is so welcome as the being presented, by the King, with an honorary title; and this generally takes place when they have acquired great riches, or have betrayed some of their own countrymen. From that moment they become slaves of the King, the more so if they are made his officers. No service is then so menial, so expensive, so difficult, but they are forced to perform it. And in case of disobedience, they are severely punished, and, perhaps, put into chains for their whole lives. Nothing, therefore, exceeds the fear of the Chinese,—they pay the highest respect to their oppressors, and cringe when addressed by them. Notwithstanding the heavy taxes laid upon their industry, they labour patiently from morning to night, to feed their insolent and indolent tyrants, who think it below their dignity to gain their daily bread by their own exertions. With the exception of the Hwuy Hwuy, or Triad society, implicit obedience is paid to their most exorbitant demands, by every Chinese settler.
Some years back, this society formed a conspiracy, seized upon some native craft at Bamplasoi, a place near the mouth of the Meinam, and began to revenge themselves upon their tyrants: but falling short of provisions, they were forced to put to sea. Followed by a small Siamese squadron they were compelled to flee; till contrary winds, and utter want of the necessaries of life, obliged them to surrender. The ringleader escaped to Cochinchina, but most of his followers were either massacred, or sent to prison for life. From that time all hope of recovering the nation from abject bondage disappeared; though there are a great many individuals, who trust that the English (according to their own expression,) will extend their benevolent government as far as Siam. Every arrival of a ship enlivens their expectation,—every departure damps their joy.
(to be continued.)