Seventeen years among the Sea Dyaks of Borneo; a ... - Sabrizain.org

SOME PERSONAL EXPERIENCES 243
many ceremonies the Dyak has little religious spirit.
The ceremonial rites which he practises — sacrifices, in-
cantations, observance of omens—are magic
charms to
procure material benefits. Hence he has a difficulty in
conceiving a spiritual religion.
has in the Dyak house it is very
question
as this :
In the conversations one
usual to be asked such a
" What material advantage shall I get
if I become a Christian ? Shall I get better paddy-crops
and become rich ? Shall I have better health ?" Another
question which is often asked the Missionary
we give up our old customs ?"
is :
" Must
" Yes," says the Mis-
sionary, " such of them as are founded upon falsehood
or derogatory to the true God." Dreams are often dis-
cussed, and numerous examples are brought forward of
dreams which have come true. The Missionary acknow-
ledges that God has spoken in ancient days to men in
dreams, but maintains that the necessity for doing so no
longer exists.
Endless questions lead to endless explanations, and
often the Missionary feels at the end of it all that little
has been gained. But unpromising as the soil apparently
is, the good seed does germinate. On the next visit the
Missionary makes to that same house, he will probably
find that some of his hearers have thought over what he
has said, and are willing to learn more. And after a few
visits some of the Dyaks are willing to put themselves
under instruction, and these are taught by the native
Catechist in charge of the district, and also by the Mis-
sionary when he pa tys his visits. When they
are suffi-
ciently taught and wish to become Christians, they are
baptized, and if they live good consistent Christian lives,
and have been further instructed, later on they are brought
to the Bishop to be confirmed.