AFRICA

Brother Amies writes of his regret at not being able to answer letters and acknowledge ministry as promptly as he would like to. With his increasing share of responsibilities in connection with the work our brother finds his time very fully occupied. He writes as follows:

I am very sorry indeed that I have not been able to acknowledge these letters immediately, but it has been practically impossible. My wife received the first letter sent just before she left Lusambo on her way down river to Ibaka, where I met her and the babies, and brought them to Baka Mbule. Since that time we have been fully occupied indeed. She had made a good recovery and on her arrival felt very well, but I fear she started to work too soon and consequently she is not at all well now. Both Effle Lois and Laura Thelma have been kept in remarkably good health. Little Effie Lois has only had several slight fevers, and for a baby born in the Congo all marvel at her size.

The following is from brother Wilson at Inkongo, Congo Beige, and it is encouraging to notice the large number of native workers mentioned in his letter as being occupied in the work of the gospel and teaching.

He writes:

We have received news of the kind gift sent by you for the work out here, and I am writing on behalf of all to thank you. I might also include the native brethren who have gone out to distant villages to preach the gospel, for they will benefit too. We have a weekly collection here, and in every village where there are Christians, and occasionally a special collection. But although some give
quite liberally, it is not enough to supply the needs of those engaged in preaching and teaching, of whom there are now nearly 200, belonging to the different districts. At Baka Mbule many of them are quite young, while of the 50 who belong to our district at Inkongo, most are married, and some have large families. I hope to start on a journey next week to visit some of them, and then we may call them up for a conference. We shall then distribute among them what money may be available, so that they may go to Lusambo and pay their yearly tax, and have something in hand for their maintenance and that of their families. I know they will express their gratitude, so I will anticipate them and thank you beforehand for the help given to this part of the work.

You will be glad to know that Mr. Upton Westcott has returned from Luebo and is much better. He is bright and happy, seems stronger than before his illness, and is hoping to go on to Baka Mbule next week. The Administrator has been here to decide on who shall be chief, and they have chosen Kikudi, a half-brother of Kumwamba. He is a Christian, and we tremble for him as we think of the pressure which will be brought to bear on him to try and lead him into sin. A chief here is thought little of unless he has plenty of wives and is a heavy drinker. We shall be glad of your prayers that he may be preserved. Two other brothers, named Tchombi and Makombo, have been appointed as judges of local palavers, and they too need our prayers, for they will certainly be offered bribes to get them to give unrighteous judgments.

Mrs. McTavish badly needs a furlough, but at present we are in a difficulty as to who shall replace them. We hear, however, that Mr. Nixon may be returning soon, so we may be able to arrange for someone to go to Mitombe, so that they can go home before the cold weather begins.

The following extracts are from recent letters received from Miss Cornelia De Jonge:

We are studying the Book of Revelation, and are in the 17th chapter. We sometimes wonder whether we shall be permitted to come home, and to meet our loved ones in this scene. Far better will it be to be caught up together to meet our Lord in the air, but while HE yet leaves us here a little while, we realize the urgency of telling out the news of God's salvation to those who have never yet heard. The time is short!

Word comes that the cut-school across the Ituri River, among the Walesi tribe, is going on nicely with an enrollment of about fifteen boys. Mikairi has his house built there, and hopes to take his family over shortly, D. V. After much waiting upon the Lord in prayer, it now seems to be His will that I should go on to help in the new work among the forest tribes, near Mambasa. The doctor has again gone there this morning for the week, to work at the building of his house. After the Woodhams have moved over I may follow soon after in order to commence the new school there as soon as possible. The time left us for telling forth the gospel of God's salvation is very short, the need is very great, and the laborers so few (Luke 10:2; 2 Thess. 3:1).

Miss Wilson keeps very busy with her orphans. She now has five all under one year of age, which gives her a great deal of care and responsibility. Remember her especially in this difficult work.

COSTA RICA (Central America)

Our brother Lamorue writes in part as follows:

As to our feeble efforts, our Lord is still blessing. We hope, D. V., to baptize from five to eight believers from here, and some from San Jose at the same time. All this year my health has been poor. Bibles, books and calendars I ordered to use in Sequires during February and March are still there as I am not sufficiently strong enough to attend to them in the heat, so will appreciate prayers for the work and for my health.

WORK AMONG THE INDIANS

It is truly a cause for thanksgiving to know that the Lord is encouraging and blessing the work of His servants in that difficult part of the field, as indicated by the following brief extract from a letter received from our sister Mrs. Anderson of Valentine, Arizona.

Yesterday was a happy day for us here, and there were 14 young people who confessed the Lord and were baptized. This in spite of the efforts of some of the employees to hinder the work and make it hard for Christians.

Our brother Holcomb, of Shiprock, New Mex., requests prayer for two young men, brothers, who have come to stay with them, and who while appearing to be interested in the gospel and reading the Word have not yet confessed the Lord.

SHIP WORK

The following is a brief report of work among seamen, at the Port of Montreal, Canada, from our brother L. J. Germain. While we should remember our brethren at Montreal let us not forget those laboring at New York and other of our sea ports.

We are glad to report that the work amongst the seamen of different nationalities coming to this port continues with encouragement from the Lord. We are experiencing great freedom in boarding and going through the ships to give portions of the Word, gospel pamphlets, tracts, etc. There have been also opportunities to have personal talks with seamen, firemen, engineers, officers, and even with captains. We have met with encouraging cases; men showing interest for the things of God. We also met with a sad case of backsliding, a chief officer who was once gathered unto the Name of the Lord has given up following Him and is going on now in the world's ways.

During the month of May on Lord's Day afternoons, together with brother Holwill, or alone, we visited the following freighters; British, 5; Italian, 7; Norwegian, 1; Dutch, 3; German, 1, and Japanese 2. How good it is to have the privilege to give the gospel to these men who have so few opportunities to hear of a Saviour's love. We covet the prayers of God's people for us and in behalf of the work.

NEW WORKERS

In December, 1928, it was mentioned that our brother Robert Deans, of Oakland, Calif., who had the warm commendation of his home assembly, was exercised as to going out to Central Africa with his family to join Dr. Woodhams. On June 20th he writes:-"We have disposed of the equity in our house and we are looking forward to going forth as soon as our circumstances permit." Their present address is 696 Mariposa Ave., Oakland, Calif. Let us continue to be earnest in prayer that they may be directed into the Lord's path for them, and every step made clear.

We have also received the following information from brother Germain:

God's people will be glad to learn that the Lord has raised a servant for French Guiana (where convicts are deported) in the person of our brother, Mr. Alfred J. Large, Boite 171, Cayenne, French Guiana. In his last letter he says:We are receiving every encouragement in this branch of our service, notwithstanding difficulties and opposition from the R. C. priests. These have warned the people against us and our literature, stating the latter is perfidious and should be instantly destroyed.

MISSIONARY MEETING

The usual monthly missionary meeting at Elizabeth, N. J., will not be held during July and August. Owing to the first Monday in September being Labor Day, the September meeting will be held on Monday, Sept. 9th. All are urged to attend who can do so.

The following is a brief report of the last meeting held.

The Monthly Missionary Prayer-Meeting
Some years ago the suggestion was made that one meeting a month of the regular weekly prayer-meeting be devoted to the Lord's work on the Foreign Field. This has been done in some places with good results. In addition to this for several months, a monthly prayer-meeting has been held at Elizabeth, N. J., in which a good number from the various assemblies have united. There has been a large and growing attendance and considerable freedom in prayer.

A special topic is selected for each meeting and brief addresses are given; but the main object is prayer, and as has been said, goodly numbers have availed themselves of the opportunity. It has been a matter for thanksgiving that the younger brethren have participated.

The subject for the June meeting was the gospel work in Latin America, and by a providential coincidence, two brothers, R. H. Hall and C. E. Lacey, with Mrs. Lacey, were just returning from a six months' sojourn in Porto Rico, where they have been laboring in spreading the glad tidings. These brothers gave interesting accounts of the work. Tract distribution, house-to-house visitation, and open air meetings were the methods employed, resulting in considerable interest. One striking feature of their work was the painting of large gospel texts in Spanish on the rocks or buildings near the highways. Over thirty gallons of white paint were used in this abiding work, which awakened interest-with some opposition from the Church of Rome-among the people, and will, we trust, bear abundant fruit "in that day."

One of the brothers spoke of the need for laborers in the harvest and pressed the possibility of some of his younger hearers being called of the Lord for this service of honor-to endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ.

A Furlough Fund

As is well known, the exacting climates of Africa and other parts of the world do not admit of too long a residence for first-comers. Besides this, the God-given desire to see loved ones should be gratified, for the Lord is not a hard Master. Therefore as we seek to support the work by prayer and fellowship, should we not consider the need-should the Lord tarry-of bringing home for a visit some who may be weary, and needing the change? It has therefore been suggested that we begin iat once to set apart, as the Lord may lead and enable, a special portion for furloughs, in addition to the regular ministry for the foreign work.

"Brethren, pray for us."

"Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that He would send forth laborers into His harvest."

"Lacked ye anything?"

"My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory, by Christ Jesus."

"Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not."

MAILING OF HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES

We would call attention to the following request from Mrs. Woodhams:

Dear brother:

Would you please put in Help and Food a request to all those who send hospital bandages and packages to put the minimum value on packages. We had to pay the equivalent of $4.00 on two packages valued by senders at $5.00 in which were only torn and worn-out sheets, etc., rolled into bandages. The Post Office here informs us that new material should only be valued at the actual value, and not the buying price, and a very low value put on old material. If this is done it will help us materially. We appreciate all these hospital supplies and the interest shown, and hope that it may continue.

Gratefully yours, Mrs. R. C. Woodhams.

CHINA

A letter just received from our brother Kautto tells of their safe arrival at Taitowing on May 9 and of finding all well.