JAPAN.-As an illustration of the character of the work of Modernism we learn from our brother Craig that the Japan Times of Tokyo, printed in English, published a recommendation of Dr. Fosdick's book on the Modern use of the Bible. Our brother Craig wrote a brief reply to the attack upon the Bible account of the earth's creation in Genesis. This reply was published, but the Times refused to allow any further communication from Mr. Craig or other missionaries, because of protests received from readers. So the enemy is to be allowed to spread his error, without equal opportunity for those who would defend the truth of God. What shall we say of one who professes to be a Christian, a leader of thought, a teacher in a Theological School, and who uses his high position to drag the truth of God down from its place of supremacy? And what must be the thought of educated Japanese of what purports to be Christianity from America? Our resource is only in the living God, who will care for His own glory, and bring to nought the devices of the enemy.
Our brother Craig writes, "We are awaiting expectantly the arrival of brother and sister Gustave Koll, for the service of the Lord here, and count on the Lord making them of much blessing, beside a cheer to ourselves."
In a circular enclosed he gives a list of meetings in Tokyo and throughout Japan. Quite a number of bright spots are scattered through that most interesting land, whose civilization calls for a clear and intelligent presentation of the truth of God. Our brother publishes a monthly magazine-"Shimri no Kura," or "Treasury of Truth," also an occasional paper with news of the Lord's work, with the familiar name "Field and Work." May the Lord abundantly bless the work.
Returning Workers.-It was our privilege to stand on the pier of the great Cunarder, the Aquitania, and greet our brother H. Wilson from the Congo, upon his arrival to visit some of the gatherings in America. Mrs. Wilson and the little one were left in England, where they are recuperating after the perils of a long stay in Africa. These furloughs are necessary for the preservation of the precious lives and health of these servants of the Lord. It also gives the opportunity of becoming mutually acquainted, thus adding a new link of interest in the work, and making us more intelligent in prayer. An element of special and tender interest in this visit of our brother lies in his having been in attendance upon our beloved young sister Miss Mercy McCandless in her last illness, and this will bring special comfort to the dear parents of our sister. We also learn that our bro. Wm. G. Amies has started on his return on furlough, and was expected soon in England, en route to his home in this country. It will indeed be a pleasure to greet these servants of their, and our, Master, and to seek to make their period of rest both that and one of refreshing and profit to us all.
THE LORD’S WORK IN SPANISH HONDURAS
I am asked to give some "brief account" of the work of the Lord in Honduras. It has proved one of the hardest of the Central American republics to evangelize, for some reason or other. This is not because of the people, for I think those who have labored in other States have found the inhabitants of Honduras less fanatical and more friendly to strangers than those of other parts of Central America. The C. A. M. was about the first to place missionaries there, I believe, if we except a mission, chiefly educational, at San Pedro Sula by the English Wesleyans. This was abandoned when we entered the country in 1909, with a neat chapel and immense mission house standing empty, the last burned to the ground during the recent revolution. Brethren Groh and Dillon had preceded us, the latter soon returning home to die, leaving Mr. Groh to labor on alone. We found a few believers there when we came, to whom some were added. Conditions were such that we did not feel free to form them into a meeting. I speak now of San Pedro Sula, the chief city of the republic, though not its capital. In going about over the northern and eastern parts of the republic we found individuals and groups of believers almost everywhere, all greatly in need of help and further teaching, hence we were much out on the trails and could not bind ourselves to San Pedro Sula, which, we would have been compelled to do were a meeting formally started there. The bulk of the population living on the coastal plain, little above sea-level, and hence full of malaria, made our work very trying to the health, and in my last illness the doctor when called at two in the morning, said, "You have called me too late; the man is dying." Finding it impossible to continue in the field on account of constantly recurring fever I came home. Brother Groh also came home, but to die; and Brother Armerding tried to stick it out but he also was brought to death's door and concluded the climate was too much for him. Miss Fannie Arthur who joined us in 1915 (I think it was), remained behind, only to stay for good and gain the martyr's crown. Mr. Dillon (not the young man,) of the C. A. M. also laid down his life there, leaving his devoted widow to continue the work begun by him alone; she too, some years later, was taken down while on a journey and went home to her well-earned rest. So it has proved something of a graveyard to missionaries, and the ranks kept thinned. No one of our own fellowship being ready to take up the work where we left it off in 1916, a devoted young man of the 0. B. took my place, using what equipment we had left and shepherding faithfully the souls of those who had been reached by the truth. Under him the work has gone on steadily; the Lutherans, too, have a mission there now, mostly educational, though one of the staff seems full of zeal for souls, and has much fellowship with our Brother Hockings. I could relate some most striking and interesting cases of conversion there, but space not permitting, I must close with the hope that the way may be open later to tell these instances of the power of the gospel, sometimes the bare Word alone, without the intervention of a missionary. The Lord sustain and greatly use those still left on the field. It is on my heart to visit the country again some day, if only for a few months. I keep in touch with the work by correspondence. C. KNAPP.
A letter received from an isolated brother gives much cheer by its hearty expressions of faith and love, and its fellowship with those unknown by face.
Dear brother in Christ:-
Enclosed please find my gift offering, being contributed to the necessities of the missionaries who are carrying the "wonderful words of life" abroad. I also have remembrance of them in my prayers (2 Tim. 1:3). How wonderful it is to be a new creature in Christ! To be indwelt by the Holy Spirit! Words fail to express the deep joy of it all…. I hope some day to meet you "Brethren," to enjoy your fellowship face to face, but as I am absent from you in the body, I will continue having fellowship with you in the Spirit."
Are we, are you making use of the monthly prayer meeting for the foreign work? It has been suggested that instead of adding another meeting during the week, one of the regular prayer meeting nights be devoted to this special subject. Such a meeting should command the interest and attendance of the saints. It should, if anything, be more largely attended than the regular prayer meetings. Is this the case? And if not, can we not seek the reason? Perhaps we are not praying as diligently in private as we might; perhaps we are not reading intelligently upon the subject. May we be aroused to a steady interest that will make these monthly meetings occasions of real blessing, from which we shall later on hear in answers to our prayers.
New Orleans.-"Many Romanists in this city are willing, and often eager, to read the Scriptures. I met a very interesting case at the Marine Hospital, a young Romanist, but very anxious to obtain and read the Word, and gladly listening to the Gospel. I have enjoyed the truly wonderful opportunity to preach Christ in English and Spanish to officers and crews on ships of many nations, singly and in groups, and to distribute the word in many languages."
-Ernest Atkinson.
BRITAIN'S MODEL COLONY
Our readers will be interested in reading this account of a province in Africa very near where our bro. Dr. Woodhams and others are laboring. Let us pray that with material prosperity, this land may open its doors to the preaching of the true riches.
"While many governments like spendthrifts, live beyond their means, Kenya Colony, the British East African dependency, keeps within its income. Revenues exceeded expenditures last year by $1,250,000 and the floating debt has been converted into a surplus of $295,000. After providing for $550,000 expenses for future improvements, the Acting Governor. E. B. Denham, told the Legislative Council at Nairobi that the surplus will reach $522,000 by the end of 1925. During the first six months of this year the customs revenue showed an excess of $547,500 above the estimates.
Kenya's increased trade brings heavier charges. Facilities of the ports are severely congested, harbor tonnage has increased more than 40 per cent in a year, lake traffic 82 per cent and cotton-seed receipts 72 per cent. Kisumu, on Victoria Nyanza, one terminus of the Uganda Railway, and Kilindini harbor, on Mombasa Island, its ocean terminus, can scarcely handle the goods. The railway takes practically all the sea-borne traffic of Uganda as well as of Kenya. The Government is planning rather late to build more deep water piers.
The colony is actually suffering from too great prosperity. Like New York city, it has grown too fast for its facilities. Farming returns abundant harvests with restricted markets. The coffee crop is valued at $5,000,000, corn is flourishing and wheat promises to supply Kenya and the neighboring territories with all the local flour needed for their bread. Dairying is extending and soon will not only meet home demands but have an exportable surplus. The outlook is very favorable for this model British colony."