Hindrances to the Work.-Owing to the great disturbances in China large numbers of Missionaries have been obliged to leave their fields of labor and return to the United States. While so far this has not been the case with our brother Kautto, yet it enlists our interest and prayers that this may not be allowed to check the spread of the gospel in that vast empire. External persecution has not as a rule done this. The apostle speaks of a "great door and effectual" being opened at Ephesus, "and there are many adversaries" (1 Cor. 16:9). So it was at Rome, where the imprisonment of Paul emboldened others to preach the Word without fear (Phil. 1:12-14). The old saying, "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church," has been verified on many a page of history which has told of the sufferings of the people of God. The light of martyrs' fires has spread the precious truth for which they suffered. Doubtless one reason of this is the testing and casting upon God in prayer which the trials have driven to.

Word has come in one way and another of the illness of those who would desire to give themselves to the work of the Lord. This is doubtless a sore trial to them and should be to us. But "our God is able," and He is waiting to be heard. Let us pray for these beloved saints and the Lord can turn their captivity, and out of weakness make them strong.

Another possible hindrance to the work is lack of necessary means. Of course the Lord's servants are to look to Him alone for their support, but sometimes a diminution of ministry curtails the output of gospel literature, and this may seriously cripple this most important branch of service. The Lord looks to us to take our full share in this great and needed work. First, our prayers, private, family, and public, are needed. Then, when we pray aright we will doubtless be led to give. The "two mites" of devotion can do wonders. So may we all be stirred up both individually and collectively to "sow bountifully" in the great field, which is also the harvest field. "That he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together." "In due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

Another hindrance to the work is when there is discord or dissension among the laborers. May the Lord preserve us from this. We need specially to pray that the enemy may not be allowed to introduce unholy strife, or suspicions. The great prevention, both at home and abroad, is a walk with God. Nothing can take the place of this-If the Word of God and prayer are neglected, then anything, no matter how small, will serve the enemy's purpose.

May the Lord graciously remove all hindrances, or give us grace and faith to rise above them. Let us pray.

Returning eastward after a winter of encouraging work on the Pacific Coast, it was the writer's privilege to get a glimpse of the Lord's work among the Indians and Mexicans of Arizona and New Mexico. At Valentine, Ariz., our beloved brother and sister, Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Anderson, are laboring steadily with the Indian boys and girls at the Government school there, and in the Indian camps in the vicinity. It was a stirring sight to stand before 225 boys and girls, ranging from 8 to 18 years, and see their quiet demeanor, hear them sing the Lord's songs, and repeat verses from His holy Word. To preach the gospel to that company was indeed a privilege, and to remember the work in prayer both a privilege and responsibility. Some of these dear children have confessed the Lord Jesus, and take a keen interest in His Word. One dear girl had looked up all the texts in tie Treasury of Truth Almanac, and copied out the entire verses. Some of these girls and boys are specially bright, and are making good progress.

It was tragic to go to the homes of these children, and to see the filth, squalor and degradation from which they came, and to which they must return after school is over. To see these poor creatures, with filthy clothing, unwashed faces, sitting on the floor of a poor shed and gambling for the few dimes they have, was sad indeed; but to hear one and another called by the names of their school days, and to know they were graduates of the very school we had visited is indeed shocking.

Of course there are blessed exceptions to this, and where grace has reached the heart God preserves His own; but let us pray that the work at the school may be followed by a real opening in these degraded camps. Our dear brother and sister are seeking to do this, and one almost wonders if the Government could not continue its supervision beyond their present excellent care at the schools.

Near Albuquerque, N. M., there is a most interesting work in a large High School for Spanish-speaking boys and young men. We had an opportunity to hear them at a meeting of the "Christian Endeavor" in the afternoon, and to address them also. It was a cheer to hear these dear young men bear witness to Christ in their short talks. What incalculable blessing such an institution is to carry the precious Word of God into the Spanish-speaking homes of Mexico. May the Lord abundantly bless the work.

JAPAN NEWS LETTER No. 61.

Tokyo, March, 1927.

In our Bible-in-One-Year Outline Studies we are in Deuteronomy in the O. T., and in Mark in the N. T. I have a class twice a week at Dr. Tsukiyama's and twice a week at our house. We go over the Word in outline at the classes, and lay out work for each day, a certain amount to read, with brief headings and certain verses to memorize, and a few references to look up. It is somewhat after the manner of the Young Believers' Department in Help and Food. Several brethren and sisters take part with much interest, and the profit and blessing are manifest.

As the weather is getting more favorable we are expecting to start the Open Air meetings again soon. Bros. Mizuno and Fujimoto are eager for this good work.

The Hospital work at Nakano which had been in abeyance on account of building alterations, has been resumed. But the privilege of visitation and preaching, which we used to have once a week, having been extended to several other bodies, both Buddhist and Christian as well as the Adventists, our turn now comes at greater intervals. Bro. Tsukiyama preached there recently to about 300 in the large hall. It is a Government Hospital for Consumptives. During the several years 'past that we have had this work there, there have been many saved, as reported in our News Letters.

Our Mission house at Tsurumi is still vacant. Some parties are inquiring about it and it may rent soon. If we rent it to Japanese it will no doubt be rented for an indefinite period. But how good it would be if some missionaries come over and occupy it. It will accommodate several. We are sorry that owing to the change of location of the American School we cannot occupy it ourselves.

April 19,1927.

Lately there have been three more baptisms, two sisters and one brother, and there will be another brother soon, Lord willing. There has been no great increase of numbers at any time, but one by one individuals have been receiving the gospel and been added to the number. And as with the work of brethren elsewhere, a large part of the fruit of our work is reaped by other bodies of Christians. The path of separation does not attract all the converts.

Sincerely yours in Him,

E. B. Craig.

Barcelona, Spain. Dear Brethren in Christ:- May 18th 1927.

We were the objects of the Lord's tender care during the long voyage (almost one month), and were thankful for opportunities afforded us to testify for Him on board and ports on the way. In Cristobal we had the joy of holding an open-air meeting and we trust there was some fruit; the attendance was encouraging.

The dear saints here received us with much love and several opened their houses for our stay until we found convenient living rooms. I had the privilege to give a message in two Assemblies here and Badalona, expecting also, D.V., to visit others in towns near by.

The believers we left in San Jose, C. R., write of much that gives us joy; they hold meetings every night in different neighborhoods and although they mourn the separation, they comfort themselves with the hope that I will ' be able to return soon. To this end, my wife and children will remain here, and as soon as the Lord opens the way, I expect to leave for Switzerland and States and then to Costa Rica. Meanwhile, believers there meet in permanent hall and believers' houses. Brother Clemente Jarquin Bustos is devoting all his time to the Lord's Work.

Sincerely yours in His service,

B. Monttlau.

Taitowying, Chihli, North China. Beloved Brethren in Christ:- April 15th, 1927.

Through the Lord's rich mercy we have been preserved from the many dangers that are all about us. This morning bandits were fighting only eight miles from us; many people were wounded, but so far have not heard of any killed. Most of the merchants have fled, only the poorer ones are left, and all are afraid of the bandits coming this way.

As to the future, no one is able to say what it will be.
Personally, I have thought to stay here as long as possible, even in case it is necessary to hide for a while, and I can turn myself to be like a Chinaman, so that I can escape in case of danger. And there are many natives that would be willing to protect me in their homes at least for a while.

Please do not worry on my account, for there shall not a hair fall from my head without the will of our heavenly Father, and I am willing to do His will, whether in life or in death.

In two weeks we are to have a Fair here again. I do not know how large it will be this time, but I am afraid many will not dare to come on account of the bandits. After that (D.V.), am going out to places where we have never yet been, and it may please the Lord to save some souls.

Kindly keep on praying for us. With much Christian love to all.

Affectionately yours in Christ,

Charles O. Kautto.

Kwang Ping Hsien, Chihli, N. China. Dear Brethren in Christ:- April 6, 1927.

Many thanks for your very kind letter of March 1. I do praise God for your kindly interest in this work. As you may have seen from the newspapers, this poor darkened land to which we have come with the Gospel Message is now in great turmoil with civil war of most complicated and many-sided struggles for supremacy. I am here alone with the Chinese, and the people here at this little place are not much concerned for anything but for peace, and are ready to submit to any party which promises peace. I know little of what is going on-much less than is known in America. It seems to me that it is all working toward the Great Tribulation, and our Christians here say, "Look up and rejoice, for your redemption draweth nigh." God has wonderfully supplied our needs during these months when we have been practically cut off from supplies from America. God has shown Himself able to supply our needs and He always will.

There is great stress in the general population (in which the Christians also suffer) from excessive war taxes -the taxes on property often coming to more than it could be sold for. Each year sees our native brethren better able than the past year to stand and carry on the Gospel work without help from America, but just now it is hard to be thus cut off, or rather it is a very special opportunity to prove God's promises.

The Gospel work is more encouraging than ever. I trust I shall not have to leave, though I have just heard that other missionaries all about are leaving. I am much interested in bro. Pennington and his wife, and trust if our Lord tarry that they may be able to come to this land where the need and also the opportunity is so great. I am in correspondence with bro. Kautto, and he has long promised to visit us when war conditions permit.

With best wishes in our Lord, yours in His service,

Anna M. Hancock.
A Sketch of Work for the Lord in Honduras

Work on the north coast has been difficult because of the low altitude. Living conditions of only a few years ago were such that a Northerner could not live here. One has said, "It has proved something of a graveyard to missionaries, and the ranks kept thinned."

The Brethren opened work in San Pedro Sula and the surrounding country in about 1898; Mr. E. N. Groh was the pioneer missionary who was afterward assisted by Mr. and Mrs. Dillon. Mr. Dillon was the first to lay down his life, but his widow carried on the work he had begun in El Paraiso for many years, until she, too, went to her reward. In 1909 Mr. C. Knapp and family took up the work with Mr. Groh. In 1914 they were joined by Miss Fannie M. Arthur, and later by Mr. Carl Armerding.

Primary work, Sunday School work, preaching services, house to house visitation in the city, and long trips on mule-back visiting out-lying districts, constituted their labors of love. In 1915 Mr. Groh was obliged to return to the States hoping to recover his health, but in September of that year he was called higher after about 18 years of service. In the meantime, Mr. Knapp was stricken with fever, but with a strong constitution and good nursing he recovered sufficiently to plan for their return to the States. "Mr. Armerding was also in wretched health, but concluded to hold on as long as possible, only returning to the States when it was evident to remain longer would be useless, as he was in such a condition that service in that 'land of great depths' was out of the question." (See "A Life Laid Down," by H.A.I., page 40.) This would leave Miss Arthur alone, and her own health was becoming undermined. Just at this opportune time, before Mr. Armerding and the Knapp family left, God opened the way for her to go to Colinas with Miss Gohrman of the Central American Mission.

There was a double motive in making this change:-first, it was impossible to leave Miss Arthur alone in San Pedro Sula; and second, it was hoped the higher altitude would restore her health. But in less than a year it was determined she must return to the States. The trip was to be made by way of Guatemala, but in her weakened condition she took a cold and was stricken with a fever that proved fatal. Ten days were spent in the Presbyterian Hospital in Guatemala City, when the physicians agreed that sea-level was her only chance to recover. A special train took her and her companions to Puerto Barrios on the coast, but it was evident she could not stand a sea trip. Again a special train took her to Quirigua, Guatemala, to the hospital of the United Fruit Company. They arrived none too soon, for by afternoon of the next day, Dec. 10,1915, her spirit passed on and she saw Him whom she loved face to face.

Miss Arthur was the last of that little band of workers. But God raised up another to carry on the work in the person of Mr. Alfred Hockings, an Englishman, of "Christian Missions in Many Lands." Mr. Hockings had spent several years in Central America engaged in col-portage work for the American Bible Society, and he knew the country and the people.

He found the work in San Pedro Sula had never been organized because of persecutions and threats, and his first task was to seek out and bring together the groups and individual believers into a Sunday School and congregation. To the present time about forty-two have been baptized, and thirty are in fellowship, with from twenty to forty in attendance. Mr. Hockings also carries on the work at El Paraiso with twenty-five in fellowship; and at Cuyamel with six in fellowship.
Edith Moulton Melick.