The Monthly Prayer-meeting held at Elizabeth, N. J., was resumed, after the summer intermission, on Monday, Sept. 9th. These meetings have been found very encouraging and profitable. Usually as many as can conveniently do so gather for tea together, and this is followed by the prayer-meeting. It partakes largely of that character a few words at the opening tell of what has been heard of the workers since we last met, with special reference to the field particularly before us. Our meeting at this time was particularly interesting because of the presence of our beloved brothers Deans and family, of Oakland, Calif. They were on their way to Africa to join the laborers in that field-our brothers Woodhams and Gordon Searle with their families and the sisters, Misses De Jonge and Wilson.
Our dear brother Deans gave some account of how, from his early Christian life, the work in Africa had been laid on his heart. His duties to his mother and other causes prevented his going at once, and he went on with his gospel testimony while working with his hands. But at last, after years of waiting, the Lord had made the way plain for the first step, which he and his dear wife took. Their daughter Ella was in accord with their purpose, and their son William, who had not at first been quite willing to take such a step (he was living in a distant city), was drawn to yield himself fully for the Lord's mind in this great work. So the entire family, including the youngest son, Robert, were sailing for their field of labor. William followed his father in an interesting account of how he had been led to the happy decision. The season of prayer which followed included, in an appropriate way, a number of young men. The following Saturday, Sept. 14th, a good number gathered in the dining saloon of the "Cedric," and after singing and a brief address, and a number of prayers, we bade farewell and God-speed to our beloved brother and his dear family. May our prayers and fellowship follow them in this blessed work.
The following letters from different parts of the Field should cause both thanksgiving to God for His mercies and exercise on our part as to our share in this blessed work:
AFRICA
Inkongo, Lusambo, Dear brother:- July, 9,1929.
Very many thanks for your letter of April 22. Yes, we have our hands full, but it is well to have plenty to do, and is good for both body and mind, and I think for the soul too, in spite of what good brethren say who are anti-Marthas, though I appreciate Mary's position too.
My wife and I went to Baka Mbuli in response to urgent letters, leaving here just in the middle of a conference. I got through a baptism before leaving, and asked Mr. Moyes to come for the two days after we left. I gave Mr. Westcott two injections of quinine and his temperature came down, and he has since been keeping much better. I strongly advised him to take quinine regularly, but he is a devout homeopathist, and does not believe in it.
There were lots of little odd jobs to do there. I cleaned out the organ and mended it, shewed Miss Chalmers how to mix up a few medicines, such as phosphorus, etc., which she did not understand, tasted sundry drugs of which the labels had been eaten by cockroaches, and as usual, identified a bottle of hydrochloric acid without tasting it, and told them the name. I do this every time I go. Odd moments were spent in reading to Mr. Westcott, who gets very little of this, and is much interested to hear news. He had never heard of Einstein's theory, nor of Well's and Huxley's latest attempt to analyze Life in terms of chemistry, etc. And he had never heard of a cubist painting, or heard futurist poetry, so you will imagine what an interesting time we had together.
We are getting fine crowds here for the gospel, and dozens turn out in the cold mist at 6:30 a.m. for morning prayers, and the address of twenty minutes or so. I am going through Leviticus, and have already been right through the Bible once. It is nice to see the interest, and makes it all the easier for the speaker.
I must conclude now. Have been tree-felling this afternoon and gave about forty injections this morning for sleeping sickness and leprosy. _
With Christian love in which all here join,
Yours sincerely,
H. Wilson.
3729 Longfellow Ave., So., Minneapolis, Minn.,
Dear brother:- August 16, 1929.
I am at present travelling in Saskatchewan, Canada, with the gospel car, and seeking to witness for the Lord Jesus as we go from place to place and farm to farm, sometimes having earnest talks with souls. As far as meetings are concerned we have not had much encouragement, but we rest upon His promise as to the seed sown (Isa. 55:11).
As to Africa, dear brother, and my exercises, I have that country much upon my heart, and I believe the Lord has called upon me to witness for Him there, and I know I will not be happy in any place until I am there for Him. I believe I have counted the cost. My wife too, I understand, is ready for the sacrifice. So I am contemplating going the end of this year or the beginning of next.
We will make it known to the assembly at Minneapolis when we return there. We are trying to get some brother who may be exercised about witnessing for Christ in the Canadian prairies to take over the gospel car.
Much love in Him, our Hope,
Duncan McNeil.
CHINA
Taitowying,
Beloved brother:- Aug. 23,1929.
"A great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries" (1 Cor. 16:9). The enemy of our souls has more ways than one of opposing and weakening the Lord's work, but as long as he remains a roaring lion he is easily detected, and often can be avoided by even the most unspiritual and simple of the Lord's people; but when he is clothed in lamb's skin, or as the apostle Paul says, "his ministers be transformed as the ministers of righteousness," then "if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect" (Matt. 24:24).
For the past one hundred and twenty years the devil has been acting more or less as a roaring lion in China but now he is manifesting himself by more subtle means' I he so-called Kuo-ming-tang (or, Nationalist movement) is forcing itself into the Christian chapels and preaching the "three man's-principle," or the doctrine of Sun Yat Sen, which in itself sounds quite promising to the ears of the common people, but is entirely without power to fulfil any of its promises. It is by men or of men without any power to forgive sins or to change the evil human heart which "is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked" (Jer. 17:9). Not only so, but in many places those who teach it have manifested themselves to be quite anti-christian, accepting the Lord Jesus as a good example for men, but entirely ignoring Him as God manifest in flesh, refusing His substitutional work for sinners, and His Lordship over all creation. In many churches about eighty per cent of the people, pastors and teachers have joined the league, not realizing the danger of being yoked together with unbelievers.
Besides that, there are new kinds of religions springing up almost^ daily, which destroy the fundamental teachings of the Word of God, honor man and belittle the grace of God. Lately, on account of such a system, we have suffered not a little. A man who is father-in-law to this hsien magistrate (who is the highest executive officer in the county) has imbibed various erroneous teachings from different cults and holds them as steps to get to heaven. The first of these is that they must keep the Jewish sabbath day, the second is that all his followers must be baptized by him, by immersion face downward, in the name of Jesus only, in which operation they are to get forgiveness of sins, the Holy Ghost and the gift of tongues, without which there is no hope whatever for salvation; the third is that he must wash his disciples' feet, for if he washes them not they have no part with him; the fourth is that they must have unleavened bread in remembering the Lord's death, and the fifth is that it must be done on the third moon and the 14th day, that is, once a year. Being in a semi-official position (that means that he has power in the courts) he has succeeded in drawing away eighty per cent of the approximately 150 Methodists with his reach. We have lost six to his flock also. Beside these a number of inquirers have been led to follow him, for if he knows of any in any place who have any interest in Christianity he spares no means to get them in his fold. He says that foreign missionaries have come to this country to get the Chinese people under their control. He likens himself and his doctrine to a university, Seventh-day Adventists to a middle school, and all the rest to a primary school.
Otherwise we have been enjoying peace in this vicinity; there have been no new bandits, and the soldiers that have been stationed out here have behaved themselves very well.
Now as to the quarrel between China and Russia, we do not yet know how much it will affect us. It will not do so for some time in any other way than that, when the soldiers have been withdrawn from here to the front, which is some 700-800 miles distant, there might rise up some new bandits; or if China should lose in the war with Russia, and the Russians gain their way into China proper as far as this, we would be in the war zone again, which in my judgment is almost out of the question. It would make some difference also if the Nationalist army should come in this direction, for they have proven in certain localities to be very anti-foreign and anti-christian, and this might work some hardships for us.
We covet your continuing prayers for us all that in spite of many oppositions the Lord's Name should be glorified in us (Eph. 6:18,19). With our united love and best Christian wishes to all the Lord's people.
Yours affectionately in Christ,
Charles O. Kautto.
P. S.-Sept. 1st.
Mr. Kautto has gone again to Shuang-tze and Mutouteng, the out-stations, for a ten days' stay. The roads are not flooded now, and he is hoping to be able to go oftener than for the last few weeks. The soldiers who were stationed here have gone, and all is quiet. The Lord has surely blessed us. Mrs. Kautto.
JAPAN,
Letter from Dr. Kotaro Tsukiyama, Tokyo, by Airship "Graf Zeppelin" on the First Round-the-World Flight. Postmarked Tokyo, 21.8.29.
Translation:
In the Lord esteemed beloved brother and sister Craig. Thinking of you all being healthy doing the Lord's work we are thankful.
We, Japan brethren and sisters also, likewise, by grace encouraged, with all our^ strength are doing the gospel's work. Therefore please be at peace of mind.
Yesterday from Germany the airship Zeppelin safely arriving visited the capital (1:e., Tokyo). And since it passed just immediately above our house, what came to mind at once was the coming of the Lord. This even by man's power has come flying through the atmosphere, but without question what a wonder will be the coming of the Lord from heaven! Also probably it seems that Daniel 12:4 is being fulfilled ("The time of the end:many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased)."
After this without delay the Lord Jesus Christ to the air will come, and then, not by airplanes or airships, but with resurrection bodies freely by our Lord's side we shall flying come. Indeed, this is a joyful matter! And then even to longed-for America, even to England, even to Germany, freely flying we shall go; and the dearly-loved brethren and sisters of all countries, one-by-one visiting, we shall have happy conversation concerning faith's joyful victory. This will probably be soon.
Do please give our best regards to everyone.
BAHAMAS
Marsh Harbor, Dear brother:- Sept. 2, 1929.
I desire to pen these lines that you might, through the medium of Help and Food, acquaint our brethren, and especially those that have had fellowship to the end, that owing to the inability of upkeep we have had to dispose of "The Evangel." We purpose, however, procuring a couple of smaller boats that can be manned, operated and kept up with much less expense. Since procuring "The Evangel" the Government has put on motor service to practically all of the islands, and we trust, this service being continued, we shall be able to use same in inter-insular service, and the small boat properly equipped will be able to meet our need locally. We cannot get along without this. Desiring the prayers of our brethren to this end.
Ever affec'tly in our Lord Jesus,
K. Stratton.