In pursuance of the suggestion as to regular monthly prayer meetings for the work abroad, we are glad to know it is being taken up, and we hope to have some interesting and suggestive reports to lay before our readers in the near future. Such meetings are part of the seed-sowing, and we may look for the harvest in due season. "Let us not be weary."
Recent letters from China give cheering accounts of the work there, where our brother C. Kautto finds his hands more than full in both public gospel work, and in the schools. These latter, together with the work among the women, offer a most inviting field for sisters to serve according to Scripture.
We are thankful to say we have heard of a brother and wife who have been thinking of China-although feeling the time was not yet ripe for them. We trust the Lord will make all this plain in His own good time and way. Our dear sister, Miss Minnie Armerding, of Plainfield, N. J., has devoted herself, should the Lord please, to the work in China, and should the couple referred to be led to go she would gladly join them. Let us pray for the Lord's special guidance in this entire matter, that we may neither run ahead, nor lag behind, His leading.
Our beloved brethren who have so faithfully undertaken the care for the funds sent for the work in Africa, are expecting to send out a full report of their receipts and disbursements. The whole matter has been a great cheer and encouragement, and has proved so simple and efficient that we trust they may continue their service of love. Already they have sent out ministry to other fields, and we would suggest that they be asked to mediate in a similar way between the assemblies and the various fields abroad. May we have suggestions as to this matter? Meanwhile any desiring to contribute to the work abroad may write as before to Mr. Hughes Fawcett, 115 Franklin St., New York City.
We would call the attention of the saints to the really foreign work among the Navaho Indians in New Mexico and Arizona. It will be remembered by many that last winter the roof of the small house at Shiprock, New Mexico, was blown off in a storm. The money was provided to replace this, but there is great need for a larger house than the two-roomed cottage and the garage, which are the only accommodations for six adults and a little child. We trust that this will be provided for before the cold of next winter comes upon this band of workers for the Lord.
We add below an account of the farewell meetings with the beloved brothers and sisters who sailed for Africa, on May 2nd, which we are sure will be read with interest. Letters from England tell of their safe arrival at that stage of their journey, after a remarkably smooth passage, May the Lord propel them on their way.
Short report of the FAREWELL MEETING held at the New York Meeting Room, May 1, in connection with the outgoing to the Belgian Congo, Africa, of Dr. and Mrs. Roy C. Woodhams with three children, Mr. and Mrs. Searle from Montreal, Canada, Miss Cornelia De Jonge from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Miss Esther Wilson from Rochester, New York.
As planned, the prayer meeting in the afternoon commenced at 3:30, from 150 to 200 persons being present. The number gradually swelled beyond this as the meeting proceeded, those present being from all the near-by gatherings, namely:Brooklyn, Jersey City, Elizabeth, Passaic, New Orange Park, Trenton, Newark, Plainfield, Boston, Philadelphia, Reading, Sunbury, Grand Rapids, Montreal, etc.
The first hymn sung was 285, small book, "Jesus, Thy Head Once Crowned with Thorns," and the second hymn 359, large book, "From Greenland's Icy Mountains." These were followed by prayers by Bro. Hughes Fawcett, Bro. Jeffries and Bro. James Arthur, for what those going out would have to face, and earnestly commending them to their Lord and Master for journeying mercies, as well as asking for open doors in the regions where they are going.
We then sang hymn 16 in the large book, "Hail to the Lord's Anointed." This was followed by prayer, Bro. Ridout asking not merely for their needs, but that they might be the means of gathering souls to Christ our Lord, as those that are gathered out to Himself.
Bro. T. O. Loizeaux read a portion of Acts 13, and commented on (1) The meeting for prayer and the Word, dwelling upon the importance of this if we are to learn the mind of the Lord. (2) Sent forth by the Holy Spirit with the fellowship of the saints and in brotherly companionship. (3) The working of the Lord through His word and in power. (4) The weakness of nature as seen in John Mark's turning back. All these features indicate the special need of dependence upon the Lord for all things.
Brother Gottshall then followed by prayer, after which Brother MacKenzie read Gen. 3:15 with 1st John 1:3, bringing out the consequences of the fall of man and the blessings resulting through the death and resurrection of Christ, and in further connection, the pre-eminence of Christ, and the importance that our service be in the spirit of lowliness, sanctifying Christ as Lord in the heart. He also related his experience of over twenty years ago, when during his sickness he was looking back on his service to the Lord with a good deal of complacency, but God graciously revealed to him HIS estimate of it. Bro. MacKenzie then said that experience had a sobering effect on him ever since, not to exalt his own service, but to exalt Christ.
This was followed appropriately by hymn 283 in the small book, "When We Survey The Wondrous Cross," whereupon Bro. Allaben prayed extensively, followed by a short prayer by another for the children of our beloved brother and sister Woodhams, commending them especially to the Lord's tender mercy and keeping, that they might grow up, the Lord tarrying, not only to be believers, but to carry on their parents' work in service to Him.
It then being 5:30 P.M. the meeting closed. It was announced that the missionary party was leaving the next day by steamer "Carmania" of the Cunard Line, to sail at noon.
By this time the company present had reached to nearly 300, taxing the room to its utmost capacity, and there wag a happy time of fellowship while refreshments were served. In the evening the first hymn sung was 315 in the large book, "Praise the Saviour, Ye Who Know Him," and the second hymn, 241 in the small book, "Saviour, Through the Desert Lead Us" (how precious the words, "Let Thy presence cheer us all our journey through"), whereupon Bro. Manahan from Elizabeth prayed, and Bro. Ridout followed by reading 2 Cor. 2:14-16 and 3:4-6 with 3:17,18. He dwelt on the position of those about to go out, and asked the question,"Who is sufficient for these things?"-sufficient in the face of what we are, and in relationship with each other, sufficient in the midst of all kinds of difficult circumstances, and sufficient face to face with those stony hearts of the natives. We here ask ourselves the same question, and all have but one answer, "Our sufficiency is of God"-but where? In our blessed, glorified Lord, Christ on high, the exhaustless source of all our competency for all things. Bro. Ridout also stated that he hoped that once a month in each gathering there would be a prayer meeting devoted specially (though not necessarily exclusively) to the work in foreign fields.
Bro. Gottshall followed, reading 2 Cor. 1:3-7, speaking of God's way of training His servants through trials. He pointed out that these lessons are not only for those experiencing them, but for the blessing of others. He then spoke of God as the source of all encouragement, and also how the apostle Paul had well learnt this, as we could see from Phil. 4:11-13 and 2 Cor. 6:6-10.
Dr. Woodhams followed by giving out hymn 23 in the' small book, reading after that Eph. 6:18 and Col. 4:2, 3. He showed how the apostle depended upon the prayers of the Lord's people, and spoke of the utter futility of all without such help. He also read 1 Thess. 1:1, and asked for the privilege of substituting for the name of the Thessalonians the names "Babira" and "Walesi." He pointed out that just as the meeting we had to-day was a vision some time ago, but now a present reality, so our vision should look out into the future to have our heart's desire realized to see a gathering raised up in those distant tribes.
The meeting was closed with prayer by Brother John Bloore at about 9:30.
A large number, 75 or more, gathered at the pier to give the parting farewells, as the ship drew out at noon. The group of the Lord's messengers stood on the deck, and the saints were massed at the end of the pier. As the great vessel began her voyage, the sweet hymn of praise, "How good is the God we adore!" was wafted from the shore and found response in the hearts of the dear travelers-all rising in worship to Him who loved us and gave Himself for us. They go accompanied by prayer and many ardent wishes for every blessing by the way.
S. R.