Two Telegrams from Africa

"Mombasa, Africa. Party arrived here safely and well, after a good journey, June 14th. Phil. 4:4.-Woodhams."

The above message in code, was received in New York, June 16th. It gave the good news that the long sea voyages were over, and that from the port of Mombasa the brave little company were turning inland to the lake region. The scripture quoted indicated the dear saints were of good cheer, and happy in the prospect of nearing the scene of their labors-"Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say, Rejoice." How many, too, share in their joy on this side the sea.

The second telegram dated Masindi, Africa, reads as follows:

"Death yesterday, June 28th, from malaria, youngest child of Dr. Woodhams. Otherwise all going well."

Thus early in their land journey our beloved brother and sister are called to taste the cup of sorrow. The dear little one had been somewhat ailing before they sailed, but nothing apparently but what is incident to childhood. Apparently it did not suffer from the voyage, but was unable to resist the dread malaria so prevalent in Africa. Our hearts go out in sympathy for our beloved brother and his dear wife. Many of us have tasted this cup, and know the melting grief of the loss of the loved ones whom the Lord had given, or loaned, to us. May His tender and sustaining sympathy be very real and sufficient for the sorrowing parents, and may the sorrow be a spiritual blessing to the whole little company.

We are reminded of the verse quoted in the former telegram, "Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say, Rejoice." Unbelief might say, Where is your joy now? It is all turned to sorrow. But we remember it did not say, Rejoice in your circumstances; in your dear ones, or even in your blessings; but, "Rejoice in the Lord." Blessed be His name, He has not changed. He is the Lord of life, triumphant over death and all the sorrows of the way. He is still the Object of our joy, and again, we may say, rejoice.

Nor is this deep, true joy inconsistent with the sorrows of the way. We bring the sorrows to Him, who wept at the grave of Lazarus, but He does not take our joy from us. So we are taught through grace to say, "Sorrowing, yet always rejoicing."

And when we think of the precious little one, there are no tears for it. "He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom." What place can be compared with the bosom of the blessed Shepherd? The brightest hopes of earth, its greatest, fade, but carried in the Shepherd's bosom there is nothing but cloudless peace and rest forever. So we would wait the little while till He come to reunite us with all the beloved in the Lord who are waiting with Him as we wait for Him, till that happy "Shout"-"Caught up together." "So shall we ever be with the Lord."

Extracts from Letters
"On Board the Cunard R. M. S. 'Carmania.'

"We have had a very smooth voyage, thanks to God and the prayers of many, and none are sick.

"We attended the breaking of bread at Boston, and met the Lord's dear people there. We hope to remember the Lord together in this way on the boat this a. m. We expect to arrive at Liverpool on Monday a. m. and in London by Monday noon, sailing again on Thursday, May 14th, if the Lord will.

"Our united love to all the beloved brethren and sisters at the N. Y. meeting. We thank God for you all, making mention of you in our prayers.

"May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, and His own blessed presence be with every one of you for comfort and joy and strength.

"Affectionately in Him,

"D. C. Gordon Searle."

"British India Steam Navigation Co., Ltd.,

S. S. 'Merkara.' "

"We have enjoyed five pleasant days in London, and had a very pleasant time. Brother Inglis Fleming had engaged rooms for us at a mission home, and we enjoyed fellowship there with some very earnest Christians. Brother Darrah met us at Liverpool, and helped us get started for London. A meeting was arranged at the Hall in London on Wednesday evening, and we had a very happy time together. It was specially for prayer, and there was real liberty and freedom.

"We have also enjoyed meeting brother Althorp, and have found him a very dear brother. Also bro. Barker and Miss Jacobs. Our party seem very congenial and happy together, and we are grateful to the many saints praying that this would be so. This is the Lord's mercy, and we count upon His grace to maintain it."

"We have been taking an hour a day at language study (on shipboard). Of course I am not able to start them on the Babiri, not knowing it at all myself, but there is an intertribal language which we will need to know. They are all making very good progress with it, and will know as much of it as they will need to know by the time we reach Mombasa." R. C. W."

"Continue in prayer, and watch therein with thanksgiving." S. R.