Volume 11, No. 2 & 3 Spring/Summer 2013 Myanmar on Mission

Twenty-three individuals made the pilgrimage. Each came home transformed. “I’ve never been on such an amazing trip,” enthused one experi- enced traveler. From college students to retirees, these individuals found much to enrich and amaze: pagodas as numerous as Baptist churches in the South; Baptist churches named “Judson” in Rangoon, Mandalay, and Moulemein; Christians and Buddhists eager to welcome American visi- tors. The journey was really three trips in one: a Judson pilgrimage, an introduction to Burmese culture, and a diplomatic mission to archivists and Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangoon, Burma librarians. Our offer- ing to archivists and as buildings of three Judson churches; downtown librarians was a digi- Emanuel Baptist, U Naw (named after the first con- tal copy of the Morn- vert), and Judson Memorial Church on the campus ing Star, a Karen lan- of the University of Yangoon, formerly Judson Col- guage paper founded lege. by Baptist missionar- Yangoon was also where we visited Shwe- ies in the 1840s and dagon Temple to learn more about the beliefs of continuing under Ka- Buddhists in ren leadership until Burma. World War II. The Yangoon al- Historical Society so provided holds the largest run an oppor- of this rare and valua- tunity for Morning Star ble paper. Recipients five meet- of our gift were eager ings with to begin a collaboration that might result in more librarians shared resources. and archi- Following in the steps of Ann and Adoni- vists, includ- ram Judson took the pilgrims first to Yangoon ing four li- Baptist Church in Bagan (Pagan), medieval cap- (Rangoon) and the site of the Felix Carey home brarians at where the Judsons lived upon arrival. Also in the University of Yangoon, the head librarian for Yangoon was the site of the first baptism as well Continued on page 6 Myanmar on Mission Continued from page 1

the country, and librarians and archivists at My- anmar Insti- tute of Theolo- gy and the Ka- ren Baptist Seminary at Insein. At Bagan and Mandalay, the group also vis- ited Buddhist temples and Chldren of U Naw church. Baptist church- From Moulmein the group traveled fur- es, including ther south to Amherst Kyaikkami), where Ann another Jud- Pony carts were used to travel to the Judson is buried and another Judson memorial son memorial prison site. church is carrying on the Baptist mission. church, as well as a For this southern leg of the trip, the church founded to commemorate Judson’s prison Zwegabin Hotel outside of Pa’an, capital of Ka- time at Aungbinle. Traveling in pony carts to an- ren State, was the group’s headquarters. That other prison site, the pilgrims trekked through a location in Karen territory was an unexpected field of banana trees to the remnant of a memori- gift to the group, be- al stone. Burmese Baptists had placed the mark- cause this was also the er, later destroyed, in the shadow of two ancient time and location of trees marking the place where Judson was first peace talks among Ka- imprisoned. ren groups from in- The side and outside the group also trav- country. There the eled south of museum director, to Yangoon, visit- whom we had taken a ing two more digital copy of the Ka- Judson memori- ren Morning Star, invit- al churches in ed us to the evening’s Moulmein entertainment—a pro- (Mawamyine) as gram of singing and well as Susan dancing that took Haswell’s lepro- place in our hotel. sy hospital and Will Womack visiting with a patient at So it turned out adjacent church, the Leprosy Hospital. that our last evening and the building outside of Judson’s which had housed the Baptist Mission Press. The Palace guard tower that over- Moulmein, Baptist pil- looks the prison site in Ava. group also glimpsed another Baptist institution, grims joined a peace the original Ellen Mitchell Hospital building, celebration and conversation (and even a little now overshadowed by more modern buildings dancing) with Karen leaders, including pastors that make up the hospital. from refugee camps on the Thai border. 2 Shining the Light on Karen History: The Morning Star Project

Early in the development of the Society’s Jud- fit of our son200 projects, ABHS staff recognized the rare archives Morning Star as an invaluable resource for Karen and librar- Christians and scholars throughout the world. ies – and, Published by the American Baptist Mission Press especially, between 1842 and 1942, the periodical became a to further channel for Karen voices and played a key role in the Society’s developing a common sense of identity among the ministry of Karen people in Lower Burma. Few issues, how- memory. ever, have survived Burma’s climate, wars, and Since re- official ethnic discrimination. The Society’s collec- strictions on tion is now believed to be the most complete run in internet use existence. have not been lifted in Myanmar, it was neces- In 2012 ABHS initiated the Morning Star sary to create DVD copies of the Morning Star to project to provide widespread access to this rare take on the Judson200 Legacy Tour. publication, especially to Karen Baptists in the Offerings of these DVD gifts opened up United States and Myanmar. Project funds cov- several exciting opportunities for the project ered the costs of preservation microfilming, digiti- team to meet with our professional library and zation for online access, and travel expenses to My- archives counterparts in Myanmar. We visited anmar for the project team: Jan Ballard, archivist with librarian Thra Taylor and archivist Gilda and project manager; Deborah Van Broekhoven, Twe at the Myanmar Institute of Theology, In- ABHS executive director; and Dr. Will Womack, sein; Alan Po, a librarian at the Karen Baptist Burmese and Karen scholar. Theological Seminary; Prof. Tun Aung Chain, a Institutionally, completion of the Morning Sgaw Karen Baptist elder, university professor, Star project represented two major strategic mile- and member of the National Human Rights Com- stones: 1) the Society’s first digitization project mission; U Thaw Kaung, who founded the li- with online access to the full text of an entire col- brary at Yangon University and organized the lection; and 2) the Society’s first collaborative digit- library education program there; Saw Kennedy ization project with Mercer University Libraries. Tapa and other librarians at the University of The Morning Star issues, along with Dr. Womack’s Yangon; Ms. Mya Oo, the National Librarian of introduction, may be found at: http:// Myanmar; Sau Aung Thein, director of the Karen libraries.mercer.edu/repository/ State Culture Museum and Library; and Rev. handle/10898/669. Newton, through whom the Morning Star will be Our ultimate goal, however, was to use gifts delivered to the Kawthoolei Karen Baptist insti- of The Star as op- tutions on the Thai border and in the refugee portunities to begin camps located there. forming meaning- At every visit we discussed potential col- ful, long-term rela- laborative projects and exchanged contact infor- tionships with the mation. The Morning Star project team looks for- Baptist, academic, ward to working with our new colleagues soon and cultural institu- to provide greater access to the Society’s exten- tions in Myanmar sive Burma-related collections. for the mutual bene-

3 From the Archives

Burma Then and Now

Ellen Mitchel Memorial Hospital, Moulmein. Dr. Ellen Mitchell was the first mission physician to Burma. Right:,1879 Below 2013

Ann Judson’s Grave Above: About 1929 Right: 2013

Aungbinle Baptist Church: Above : 1957 Right: 2013

Post this page on your bulletin board. And when you use information from “From the Archives” remember to give credit to the American Baptist Historical Society.

4 Both pictures are of the Library at the Divinity School Insein.

Above: Aungpinle Village, site of Judson’s im- prisonment, 1975 Right: Tour group at the site of the prison in Aungpinle, 2013

Right: Ma Saw Sa, first Bur- mese woman to enter college in Burma. 1905 Far Right: A young woman has her gradua- tion photograph taken at the compound of Aung San Sui Kyi.

5 Liele Book Launch

nd On March 22 the Historical Society welcomed presented the painting on long-term loan to the authors and interested readers to the launching of Historical Society, where it now welcomes all vis- a new book, to a new Liele portrait, and a celebra- itors to the reading room tion of George Liele’s Life and Legacy; An Unsung Of the significance of the book, executive Hero. Not as director well known as Deborah William Carey, Van Adoniram Jud- Broekhoven son, or Lott noted, Cary, Liele’s “Liele’s sto- ministry ry and stretched from struggle for Georgia and freedom South Carolina preceded by to England and two genera- Jamaica, the tions the pe- colony to riod after which he the Civil moved after From left: Davine S. Sparks, Jylyan Shannon Jones, Averett P. Shannon and Vernita A. Shannon, War, the the American following the presentation of the portrait of George Liele painted by Averett Shannon. Photo courtesy of Rev. Charles Jones time when Revolution. we think In Jamaica, Liele’s influence was great, de- U.S. citizens first struggled with the meaning of spite the challenges of preaching in a slavery soci- emancipation. “ She added, “In that context, ety where Baptists were often suspected of rebel- George Liele’s life is a prequel to the better lion against authorities. Liele mentored many, known story of U.S. civil war and the struggle for including missionaries to Sierra Leone and Nova freedom for African American citizens. “ Scotia. With its global scope, the book required more than a dozen authors, editors, and project George Liele’s Life and Legacy: An Unsung Hero can researchers, shedding light on Liele’s pioneer be purchased from Mercer University Press work and leadership in a slave society. (www.mupress.org) Dr. David T. Shannon, the key individual in organizing and inspiring these efforts, died be- fore the project was completed. But it was his in- George Liele's Life and tensity, winsomeness, wisdom and commitment Legacy: An Unsung Hero that brought together more than a dozen workers $35 on this project. Including pilgrimages to sites as- Edited by: David sociated with Liele as well as numerous editorial T. Shannon, Sr., Julia meetings, the project and its members produced Frazier White, Deborah a definitive study of Liele in his historical con- Bingham Van text. Broekhoven Mrs. Averett P. Shannon, Dr. Shannon’s ISBN: 9780881463897 widow, contributed her own editorial and artistic skills, with her new portrait of Liele providing the cover art for the book. At the book launch she

6 Wish List

Equipment that will make it easier for researchers to work with the collection and for staff to work with researchers and process new collections: Yes! I/We believe in a Ministry of Memory and enclose a gift of $______to support the Ameri- PastPerfect Cataloguing Software Upgrade $515 can Baptist Historical Society

Laptop computers: Three needed, loaded with  ABHS general fund Windows 7 professional software. $1000 each Subscribing Membership (American Baptist Café Chair: For researchers checking databases on Quarterly subscription) the reading room computer. $150 $50___ 1 yr; $90_____ 2 yrs; $130 _____3 yrs   Charge to my  Visa  MasterCard Reading Room Lamps: Four needed. $100 each Acct # _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ _ Reading Room Chairs: For conference table (8 Exp. Date: ____/______Security code_____ chairs). $2400 Make checks payable to ABHS; and mail with Shelving: Units needed for processing. this form to ABHS, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, $500 - $3000 PA 19482-0851 Questions? Call Kay Eland at 610/768-2269. Please Print Name______The following items will allow ABHS to expand our edu- Address______cational program: ______Exhibit Cases: From vitrines and stands to fine se- cure exhibit cabinetry for use in the atrium outside Telephone______the ABHS office. $100 - $50,000 Email______

Or give on-line: Click on ‘Donate Now’ at Baptist Heroes Coloring Book: Update and repub- www.abhsarchives.org. lish this popular ABHS publication. $5000

Photograph Display System: Permanent wall track CONTACT US system for displaying enlarged collections photo- E-mail: [email protected] graphs in the reading room. Cost includes first ex- Website: www.abhsarchives.org hibit. $3000 www.judson200.org Phone: 678/547-6680 Research appointments, Museum gallery protective posts and belts. $100 collection donations, reference desk, general questions Phone: 610/768-2269 ABHS donations, Ameri- can Baptist Quarterly subscriptions Mail: 3001 Mercer University Drive, Atlanta, GA 30341 Physical Address: 2930 Flowers Road South, Suite 150, Atlanta, GA 30341

7 PRIMARY SOURCE Non-Profit Organization American Baptist Historical Society U.S. Postage P.O. Box 851 PAID Southeastern, PA Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851 Permit No. 167

INSIDE Images from Burma

Biennial Breakfast Visit the ABHS Exhibit at Biennial “Freedom & Mission” Sunday, June 23, 7:45 a.m. You will see more images Overland KS, Convention Center of Burma and videos tak- en on the Judson Herit- Commemorating the age tour. ABHS staff and bicentennial of the Judsons’ volunteers will be availa- arrival in Burma and the ble to answer questions, 150th anniversary of the and resources will be Emancipation Proclamation, available for Dr. Deborah Van sale. Broekhoven will compare foreign missions in Burma and home missions among the newly freed people. Tickets are $17 and may be reserved by calling ABHS at 678-547-6680 or by registering at the Mission Summit/Biennial website www.americanbaptists2013.com. The Younger Award winner will be an- nounced at the breakfast.