"Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathered fruit unto life eternal; that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together" (John 4:35,36).
"Let us not be weary in well doing:for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not" (Gal. 6:9).
BAHAMAS
The following letter has been received from our brother James S. Hall who is exercised about carrying the gospel to isolated parts of the Bahama Islands:
Having visited Cat Island on four occasions and knowing somewhat of the dire need for the gospel, I have decided, D. V., to make a fifth visit, leaving on Feb. 19th, and hoping to start, under the Lord's good hand, a mission. This has been duly considered, and prayed over, and I believe I have the mind of the Lord. While there during my last visit, some who confessed the Lord requested that a meeting be started. I have this in view. The opportunity to work among the young folk is good, so hope to start a Sunday School. There are other islands in a radius of fifty miles which can be reached from Cat Island. As everything points to the near return of our Lord, it behooves us to be up and doing, working while . it is day. As the people of this island are very needy, any old clothing would be gladly accepted on their behalf. Shipment can be made via Parcel Post to J. S. Hall, The Bight, Cat Island, Bahamas. Prayer on behalf of this great work will be highly appreciated. J. S. Hall.
CUBA
The following are a few extracts taken from a letter received from our brother Harry Craig:
Just a few lines to tell you how we are getting along in the Cuba Mission. We began our meetings the first Lord's Day in January, and have continued on Sundays and Thursdays since then with one exception. There are over a dozen boys and young men who have come regularly, and say they want to continue.
We have visited the parents and have spoken to some of the boys on the streets, and it looks hopeful for our meetings being fairly well attended with orderly boys and girls and perhaps older persons. Some of the neighbors have shown interest and have given us encouragement by their expressions and attitude.
Tract distribution goes on, as well as distribution of other suitable literature. I believe I am not mistaken in saying that about 20,000 pieces of literature have been given out between Havana, Mantanzas, Cienfuegos, Santa Clara, Trinidad and the neighboring places during the past year.
CHINA
Brother Foggin who is still at the language school at Peiping writes as follows:
When brother Kautto arrived back at the station he found that twenty-six soldiers had professed Christ during his absence, but as the troops had left for another place before he arrived he did not see them, but Mr. Lee, the native evangelist, had a letter from one of them, an officer, stating that they were having Bible readings every day. During the Christmas holidays, we three made a visit to brother Gustave Koll's mission station at Gwam-ping-hsien, and had a very nice time. It is about four hundred miles south of here, and there is an assembly of about four hundred brethren there. Mr. Kautto spoke at several Christian gatherings, and we taught the children to sing in Chinese, "I will make you fishers of men," and I spoke to them from the fifth of Luke's Gospel, pointing out that the Lord Jesus was a fisherman as well as Peter, but of a different kind, and that day He caught Peter, and in turn Peter likewise was to catch men. After this we made a visit to an old missionary, Miss A. M. Hancock, at a place called Gwam-ping-foo some twenty miles distant from the latter place, -and after staying a few days there, we returned home. I am still working hard at the language, and the fog of Chinese shung yin (sounds) is just beginning to clear away. At this time I am made to realize, more than ever, what the Lord wants is an undivided heart, and to this end He is dealing with each one of us, and we seem so slow in learning our lesson. There is much blessing and power for those who are willing to yield to the molding hand of God. That the Lord's richest blessing may rest upon you and the saints with you is my earnest desire for you all.
AFRICA
The following interesting letter is just to hand from our brother Will Deans:
"I have been in Mambasa during the holiday season, and have enjoyed the visit with the folks, after not seeing them for several months. They are all very well, and the work is being carried on in a business-like way. The hospital has grown into a very respectable structure, and the walls are now being covered with mud-plaster. It is built, as you know, of burned brick, and for cleanliness and permanence, cement will be used for the floors. This will aid the surgeon greatly by decreasing the likelihood of infection, and removing obstacles he would otherwise be forced to combat.
Mambasa is the center of the Bangwana tribe, and work among them is sometimes disheartening. They are of Zanzibar stock, having migrated to Congo in slavery times in search of human wares to send back to their employers at the coast. Many a poor black man and woman has been sold into slavery by these Bangwanas, Negroes like those they betrayed.
When the Government ordered slavery stopped, the Bangwanas were compelled to settle, and a colony sprang up in the Mambasa district. They speak a fairly pure dialect of coast Kiswahili, and for this reason suppose themselves superior to the average native, and lose no opportunity to profit at their expense.
They adopted Mohammedanism from the Indian traders they served, and many write and read Arabic. The Koran is popular, and sin and vice more so. Their influence is degrading to those with whom they come in contact, and they are known far and wide for immorality and for shrewdness.
It is well that this testimony for the Truth is in their midst. A number are in regular attendance at the school, and they come in goodly numbers to hear the gospel. At the Lord's Day service yesterday I noticed how earnestly some of them listened, and I really believe it is fear of their tribesmen that keeps them from taking a clear stand for the Lord Jesus. May God give them courage to do so!
Others are indeed bitter and antagonistic to the Word, and do not hesitate to blaspheme the name of the One who suffered, bled and died that they might obtain redemption by trusting Him.
One is certainly reminded that this is God's day of grace, for otherwise such blasphemy would be visited with immediate judgment. Grace, indeed! But God's Spirit shall not always strive with man. Now is the time for repentance, the time for all Christians to be active in giving out the blessed tidings. The time is short; let us haste while we may.
While I have been inactive, the little group at Lolua has remained true to the faith, and I rejoice. Paul so delighted to see infant assemblies stand alone, looking only to God for wisdom and guidance. So their time of being alone has strengthened them, and we are very grateful.
The dry season causes a shortage of food for man and beast. This makes man dissatisfied and beasts bold.
Just last week a leopard visited us, and killed the pet monkey, devouring him less than five yards from the bedroom window. I was surprised to see that even the long tail became a part of his meal, for he left only the teeth. Not satisfied with this, he entered the chicken-coop, and made off with two hens and injured a third. And just yesterday as we were caring for the gun-trap set for his return, Dad was surprised to see a large snake wriggle out from behind a box and enter the chicken-house. It is about ten yards from the house. The natives came with arrows and spears, and put an end to him. He was quite vicious, and measured eight feet over all.
JAPAN
From E. B. Craig:-
Feb. 10, 1931.
There are thousands of Japanese on the Pacific Coast of the United States and Canada. We are seeking to do gospel work amongst some of them. Among these there are some Christians, of various denominations, but, alas, false Christianity is also represented, in its several sects. Then beside this, here on the Coast the Japanese have Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. Satan knows the door is open both here and in Japan, and he is pressing in with his messengers and their false gospels.
We continue to hear frequently from Japan, and the news of new converts added to the little company, now and then, keeps up. Two more were mentioned in a recent letter. The regular meetings of the assembly, the street-meetings, cottage-meetings, Sunday Schools, hospital visitation, tract-distribution, sale of Scriptures, personal work, etc., all are being attended to steadfastly.
The little company we were with in Japan are very desirous for our return to Japan. The Lord willing, we may return later.
Dr. Tsukiyama in January had a sudden and severe attack of pneumonia, so that his life was in danger, but the other day a second letter arrived from brother Fujimoto, saying that he had passed the crisis and seemed to be out of danger. There was great rejoicing, as there had been much sadness amongst the believers. Their singing cheered brother Tsukiyama and he asked for more, so they took turns by twos in singing hymns for 8 or 9 hours, brother F. writes.
Exercise as to the Lord's service was the subject of a letter which brother Tsukiyama wrote me just before he was taken 99:He is concerned, and has been for some time, as to whether or not he should devote all his time to the work of the Lord. Hitherto he has served in the gospel in connection with his practice. He is a general practitioner, but specializes in troubles of the eye. His practice is chiefly among the humbler class. I have told him previously that I believed the Lord would be pleased if he should give all his time to the gospel and ministry of the Word. He has been much used hitherto, but is hindered by his duties. He told me that he was afraid his faith was too weak. In this letter he asks for definite prayer that he may know surely the Lord's will and do it. Please pray as to this.
At present two brethren over there in our little company are giving all their time to the work of the Lord. Young brother, Z. Fujimoto, who is unmarried, was my special helper the last few years. Then there is brother II. Totsuka, who has a wife and two or three children. He has some income from the Railway Department, which has been employing him for some years in their Social Welfare Bureau. He was formerly with the Railway Mission. He travels over the Railway lines, sometimes even into Korea and Manchuria, holding meetings for the employees, and has liberty as to his preaching. Last year he made a journey through southern Japan, Korea and East Manchuria, and used a large Japanese copy of A. E. Booth's Chart of the Ages. This attracted much attention, and some hundred of the small-size Japanese charts with keys were sold.
Fujimoto, Nishihara, Nakamura, Sakurai and two or three other of the younger brethren are students of English. Brother Nakamura is employed in the Foreign Money Order Bureau of the Central Post Office. These brethren are thankful for the English magazines which are sent them, some contents of which they translate for the benefit of others, and for the monthly magazine.
Brother Nishihara is at present editor of the monthly magazine Shinri no Kura (Treasury of Truth). It is stenciled, and printed on a Japanese multigraph by brother Saito (a barber, brother of Mrs. Tsukiyama), who has become quite skillful at this work. Only a few hundred copies are printed for circulation among these brethren or other Christians interested.
Brother Henry McNair, of Oakland, has been exercised as to learning the Japanese language and devoting himself to the work for the Japanese. He has a wife and two small children. No doubt he will be thankful for mention in prayer.
In a letter from our friend Mr. Aurell, Secretary of the American Bible Society, Tokyo, is this news:Bible Society work continues interesting and encouraging. Our circulation fell off some during 1930 owing to the severe economic pressure prevailing all over the Empire. Our colporteurs who worked most of the time in the very rural districts, found that a great many homes had not a sen in cash. They often take eggs in exchange for Gospels. But we are starting this year with hopes of effecting the largest circulation the Agency has ever reported. The hunger for bread that perishes not, has been intensified widely by these financially hard times. There was a bumper crop of rice last year, and the prices are unusually low; in fact it does not pay the farmer to dispose of it in the ordinary way.