Irumu, Congo Beige, Dear brother in Christ:July 21, 1927.

We are thankful for your expression of desire that the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ should continue to be preached among the Babira tribe. We are glad for what extent we have been enabled to preach it among them heretofore, and for every encouragement the Lord gives to continue in faith. Just now we have enabled to do more aggressive work in the villages, and since I have my family under a rain-tight roof and in a house large enough for us to live comfortably, I have been able to get away from the station more than was possible when every available minute was spent in building. The ideal time to find the people at leisure in their villages is late in the afternoon and until an hour or so after dark. They are then through with their day's work in their gardens or elsewhere, and usually gather about their fires outside their huts. The chewing of hard corn, and the arguments and ordinary noise of a native village may punctuate what I have to say, yet this is their leisure time and they are less distracted than at other times. The very arrival of a white man is enough to excite curiosity, so usually all I have to do is to stand around a few moments with a few general remarks, before a good number have come from other parts of the village to see what it is all about. Thus in an informal way I have been enabled to tell of the work of Christ for them. A formal meeting with "a song, a prayer, and a sermon, and then again a song," and they must "all sit in a circle and keep quiet," I have found frightens them away. Nor is there any need of it.

We realize continually what a small number of the Babiras we have actually reached with the gospel. There remains "much land to be possessed."

I cannot tell you how thankful we have been for the copies of Galatians translated by Mr. Lowder. Since those you forwarded he has also sent a further large number, and also another portion containing Romans, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philippians. We had been attempting the translation of John's Gospel, and were getting along with it, but upon your word that he had John ready for the press we dropped it, and instead are using that hour for the study of Romans with the native Christians. This has already been a great blessing both to them and ourselves. I am sure that last evening in taking up with them what is involved in our Lord being Son of God, and yet as to the flesh of the "seed of David," that the native Christians were not the only ones to receive blessing and fresh light on this blessed fact. And for the gospel services on Lord's Day we have had real liberty in speaking from the first chapter of Romans. Then in the out-schools I may say that these portions of the Scriptures have arrived at the most opportune time. Those who can read were greatly in need of further literature, and we have lost no time in starting them right in on Romans. It was a great pleasure to hear these boys who a year ago did not know "a" from "b" now reading from the Word of God His account of the moral state and sinful condition of themselves and their fathers, so plainly put before us. And they are so proud of the fact that they can read that they do it in school and out of school, and the older ones gather around them to see if it is really true that they can read. In one of the cut-schools there are now twelve boys who can do so. This gives a living illustration of the relation between school-work and the real evangelization among these people. We do thank God for the faithful plodding of Mikairi, who, day in and day out, has made his round of four out-schools five times a week, and the above results are the fruit of the labor of this faithful servant of Christ.

In the matter of your suggestion about a diary I do not quite know what to say. I value the suggestion, but must admit that I have never gotten along well with a diary- it is usually soon neglected. Not only that, but you would be surprised to know how similar each day is here, and the things that cause variation are hardly of interest or worthy of space in Help and Food. For instance, yesterday for example. Up at 5:30 for prayer. Roll call of station workmen, 6:10, followed by dispensary for station people (30 patients). Gave attention to a patient operated on the day before for fifty-pound tumor. Herd-man brought up an ox with a broken horn, washed and dressed it. Breakfast at 7:15. Family reading. Morning mostly spent repairing a wagon wheel which required two new sections of rim and five spokes, and the rim to be heated and set. Native Dispensary at 11 o'clock for village people. Dinner, 12 o'clock. In the afternoon a trader's wife and a missionary of the A.I. M. came for dental work which took me until 5 p. m., after which I took my motor bike and slipped out to the villages until 6:45 and returned for supper, and Bible Reading at 8 p.m.

My wife joins me in Christian greetings to all, whom we love in the Lord,

Yours in the fellowship of our Lord Jesus,

R. C. Woodhams, M. D.

Baka Mbule, Congo Beige. Beloved brother:June 30th, 1927.

After being at Baka Mbule a short time I went on two journeys with Mr. Althorp to visit the schools in the Babindi District. We were greatly encouraged, I am now at Inkongo, and will be here for about a month, D. V.

There are fifteen workers in active service, not including Mr. and Mrs. W. Westcott nor Miss Grace Desborough, who we do not feel will come out again, or at least should not, owing to physical weakness. Of course all are never on the field at one time, some are on furlough and others awaiting furlough. The following are the active workers, Mr. Upton Westcott, Mr. and Mrs. H. Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Althorp, M. and Mrs. Alex. McTavish, M. and Mrs. Wm. G. Amies, Miss D. Isaac, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Moyes, Miss M. P. Chalmers, Miss Annie Thomas, Mr. T. Nixon, and Mr. and Mrs. W. Westcott, who will not return to the field. Mr. W. Westcott has now completed the translation of the Scriptures into the native tongue here at Inkongo. I believe there is also a translation of some of the Gospels in Lusongi, the language of the Basongi Tribe where the McTavishes are now laboring, and where I made the first trip with Mr. McTavish shortly after my arrival. Mr. McTavish is doing some translation work, and we at Baka Mbule have a hymn-book in Luka Mbule, and while we read the Scriptures in Luna Inkongo when preaching, we preach in the tongue of the people. People for miles and miles around Inkongo, even though in other tribes, are able to understand the Inkongo tongue. There has been a great deal of trading of late years, and natives frequently travel long distances to trade with other tribes, consequently they become acquainted with the tongue of the other tribes. The work at Inkongo includes the Baka Mputu and Cimbangu Districts. Mr. Nixon does the greater part of the work in connection with the Cimbangu District, and Mr. Wilson the important part here at Inkongo. In the Basongi Mr. and Mrs. McTavish are alone; they have been greatly encouraged of late in the interest shown in the Word. There has also been some new interest in the Word here at Inkongo, and late Conferences with the teachers have been very cheering. Mr. Wilson is anxiously awaiting the arrival of Mr. Moyes so that either he or Mr. Wilson will be able to visit the District, where are quite a few schools and Christian teachers.

At Baka Mbule we have just 100 out-schools, and now we have started work in other Districts, such as Indanga, toward the Sankuru River and also across the Sankuru River beyond Bena Dibeli. There are so many places which have never been reached as yet and which we could easily reach if there were more workers.

We do a lot of medical work and in this way win our way into the confidence of the natives, and they more readily listen to the gospel.

You know of Mr. Upton Westcott's first wife passing away to be with the Lord here in the Congo, and also of Miss Mercy McCandless, but I wonder if you also know of an American sister named Miss Snyder who also passed away here. Mr. Althorp lost one of his little children here in the Congo and another on the way home, and the first Mrs. U. Westcott also lost one, and I believe Mr. and Mrs. W. Westcott, two little children. All who have ever come into the work have suffered untold hardships, but the Lord is no man's debtor, and that day will show the true results of all their labors. We know that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. We plead for a special interest in all the saints' prayers. I wish that I were able to so set before the saints the needs of the work here that all would be led to pray very definitely, earnestly, and continually for the work. As ever the need is great, the fields white unto the harvest, pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest to thrust forth laborers into the field.

This letter may not answer all the questions you may have in mind as to the work, or set before you clearly the work as it stands to-day, but there have been several interruptions. A leopard has been shot in a trap, but got away wounded, and all were trying to trace it. I just heard a shot, so Mr. Wilson must have got it.

Yours in the blessed hope of His soon return,

Wm. G. Amies.

Word since received tells of the safe arrival to our brother and sister Amies of a little babe. May the Lord who gave make the dear little one a blessing to the parents.

Termens, Lerida, Spain. Dear Brother:Aug. 5th,1927.

The Lord has guided us to this town, where we found the people eager to hear the gospel, and some souls love His Word. I expect, D. V., to stay until May, should the Lord tarry, and then leave for U. S. and Costa Rica. I trust the family can remain here and continue the testimony.

A few days ago we announced meetings for Lord's Day, Wednesday and Friday. Last Wednesday night we held our first meeting in the hall, which may soon be too small. Many had to listen from outside. There are some towns near by, where dear souls wish to hear the gospel. We covet your prayers so that we may take advantage of privilege granted to us here, while we remain. Several families wish to send their children to us for instruction, as the town school is quite rudimentary. This may be a means to attract the children and parents to Sunday School and gospel meetings. We feel insufficient, and find time short for so many duties, but the Lord will give us strength and wisdom for the task put before us.

I received from Costa Rica a fine report of brother C. J. Bustos, who gives his time to the work. They hold meetings every night, and two Bible Classes a week during the day for those who can attend. We praise the Lord for His care over the saints there.

Some brethren in Jamaica wish me to visit them when returning to Costa Rica, and we look to the Lord as to this. There seems to be a great interest in the Word, and hundreds often meet in several parts of the island for special conferences.

With our united Christian love to you and saints with you, we beg to remain,

Sincerely yours in our coming Lord, B. Montllau.

Trinidad. Dear brother:Aug. 13th, 1927.

The little assembly in this place is still going steadily on. Of course we always need to be watchful in order that we might remain firm in the truth, walking godly, and maintaining true love and care one for the other, and above all, the honor of God. The enemy is always busy in one way or other, seeking to frustrate the work of our blessed Lord. The little work at Prince's Town is also progressing nicely. There are some up there now waiting to be baptized, and when that is done we expect to set up our Lord's table there. They would like this to be done by the end of this month, but I am not sure that my present condition of health will permit me to do so, then, although am very much better than when I wrote before. I am hoping that I may be spared the necessity of an operation, as first seemed necessary. My daughter and her babe will be leaving here on the 16th, D. V., for Barbados, where she earnestly hopes to find some opportunities of service for her Lord while enjoying the change. Yours in our soon coming Lord,

Joseph B. Hoze.

Harbor Work

Brooklyn, N. Y. Dear brother:Aug. 3rd, 1927.

For the first seven months of 1926 we visited 430 ships. In 1927 for the same period brother Willies and the writer visited 790 ships, some of them more than once, a total visitation of 891 being the record. About 75 of these visits were made to passenger vessels on sailing days, suitable literature being left in the social halls. In some instances, as with the Greek Line, Baltic-American Line, and Fabre Line, we visited the quarters of the 2nd and 3rd class passengers and had wonderful opportunities for personal evangelization with Greeks, Italians, Syrians, Jews, French and Portuguese. Another happy season was spent this week with 19 Chinamen going to Brazil. They were passengers on the "Matura" of the Trinidad Line. To see Chinese passengers leaving New York for South America was a strange sight.

Since the coming of brother Willies into the work I have had it laid upon me to visit vessels more often than once a year. In fact, I believe this was the great lack, that is, meeting a man once only. As I keep records of books and tracts given out, on my second trip I am able to present something new to the men. Having another helper enables me to do this, and I am glad of it.

I do not know of much more to tell. I omit instances of personal work, but I say truly the Lord has been with us, and many of these men I know have been touched with the truth. Some day (it may be soon) we shall see some conversions among them! Your prayers for this are sought. Yours in Christ, Ralph A. West.

Berkeley, Calif. Dear brother:Aug. 1st, 1927.

We are plodding away here and keep more than busy. At present the Japanese warships are in port, and some 1,500 midshipmen, many fine opportunities. I shall (D.V.), visit them again to-morrow and I have a few annuals saved up for English-speaking officers, who are already eager to get literature in English. Am expecting two friends in from N. Y. State, friends of a brother who has shown a real interest in the work, so am to take them along to a Trans-Pacific liner at noon. No doubt you have heard from Capt. C. I hear from him at intervals.

Kindest regards and my love in Christ Jesus, our soon coming Lord, In Him, affec'ly,

Oscar S. Zimmermann.

Hastings, Minn. Dear brother:Aug. 14,1927.

Brother Taylor's letter in the last Help and Food encourages me to write you in regard to the exercise I have had, for the past two years, especially, about the work in Africa. I have taught for fifteen years in the public schools of Minn., but feel more and more ill at ease and out of place there. I should like to put in my time and effort where I can teach of Christ and His Word, and where the object is to bring souls to Christ rather than merely teach the children to live in this world. The fields in Africa attract my intense interest, but I want to go or stay where the Lord through His grace and guidance can use one of His redeemed ones, "Without Him we can do nothing." I ask an interest in the prayers of the brothers and sisters in Christ that I may go if the Lord would send me, or stay if my place is here.

I came into fellowship at Villard, about seven years ago. None of my people are in the meeting, so my name may not be familiar to you, though I think I met you at Nashua, Iowa, a few years ago at a conference.

I have made very few applications for a position this fall because I believe the Lord has other work than public school teaching for me, surely with white fields for harvest and few laborers some of us should answer the call. I believe, through the grace and guidance of the Lord, I can say, "Here am I, Lord, send me." I have by no means come to this conclusion hurriedly but gradually. For the past two years I have been teaching where there is no assembly and spent two lonely winters but, nevertheless, profitable, in that they led to reading and contemplation and, I believe, conclusion. If you think the Lord has a place for me in the harvest fields of Africa please inform me as to how I proceed to make preparation as to training, etc. Yours in Christ, our Saviour.

Ethel M. Liddle.

Qualifying for Foreign Missions

Geographical change does not change a person's spiritual life or power. Those who are thinking of going to the foreign field as missionaries are sometimes tempted to think they will be able to do spiritual things out there that they are not doing at home. There has been more than one disappointed foreign missionary because of this mistake. A missionary said recently to a group of Christian workers:"Going to the foreign field doesn't make a person a soul-winner. If one is not a soul-winner at home he is not likely to be much of a soul-winner in the foreign field." The same principle applies to all Christian service at home or abroad. Those who believe they are called to the Christian ministry may well ask themselves whether their lives and activities are wiving abundant evidence of such a call just now, where they are. Being a soul-winner means presenting the life unreservedly, once and for all, to the Lord Jesus Christ, and then trusting Him moment by moment to use us in whatever way He will to make Himself known to others, through us, as their Saviour and Lord. Those who are doing this in their present circumstances and environment are likely to continue to do it wherever they are. Those who are not doing it just where they are, are not likely to do it anywhere else.

Selected.