CHINA

We are glad to have a report of the safe arrival at Langchow, Kansu, of our brother Foggin and Mr. Hsu, his Chinese co-worker, after about five weeks of difficult and tiresome travel.

Our brother will need much patience and wisdom in endeavoring to preach the Gospel in that large and unsettled province, and on his behalf we would say in the words of the Apostle Paul, "Brethren, pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may run and be glorified, even as also with you; and that we may be delivered from bad and evil men, for faith is not the portion of all" (2 Thess. 3:1,2, New Trans.).

The following is an account of their journey from Peiping to Kansu:

We left Peiping on March 1, on the six a.m. train for Shih Chia Chuang, Mr. Ruck being there to see us off. The tram was crowded, and we managed to get a place in one of the box cars near the door with our baggage securely under us. We felt quite happy as the train pulled out, and soon I heard Mr. Hsu talking to the man next to him about his soul. We arrived in Shih Chia Chuang in the evening, and found a warm welcome from a missionary friend, Mr. Rasmussen. Here we had our ill-fated car. The first thing we discovered was that the battery needed re-charging and had to wait a few days. Then we found that the gasolene was not feeding properly. On Sunday evening we put the car on the train for Yu Tze, about a hundred and seventy-five miles west of Shih Chia Chuang. We slept in the car all night, and the train pulled out about six o'clock in the morning, and crossing some high mountains, we arrived at Yu Tze about six o'clock in the evening. Here we put up at a Chinese inn not far from the station. The next day we did some bill-posting, tract-distributing and sold some Gospels. The following morning we left for Hsi An, planning to stop on the way at the various places. We got about twenty-four miles along the road when we had a smash-up. Mr. Hsu had a nasty cut in the back of the neck, so I put him on a passing bus and sent him to the Hospital, which was only about three miles further along the road, and later I too arrived at the Hospital in the car, several men pushing. Mr. Hsu was just coming out as I arrived, with his head all bandaged, and wanted some money to pay his bill. I was told there was a foreigner on the compound, so I soon got in touch with him. He was the business manager of the Hospital, Mr. Hauseke. It was the American Board Mission Hospital at a place called Tai Ku. Mr. Hauseke at once suggested that Mr. Hsu go to the Hospital until he had the stitches taken out, and I was to go to his home. Here we made some new friends, Mr. Hsu spoke several times in the Hospital, and on Sunday afternoon the Hospital doctor had a meeting in his home at which I was to speak, and tell them about the "brethren." Quite a number of foreigners were gathered, and I told them of my first acquaintance with "brethren," and some of their practices, and then we went on to speak of God's care for His creatures. The doctor invited Mr. Hsu to supper, and I was invited by some other friends along the road. The following morning we left by bus for Ping Yang, which is about half-way between Y" Tze and Hsi An. We did not arrive that day, so put up at an inn for the night, arriving about ten the following morning. After having something to eat we got the boy of the inn to mix up some paste in an old gasoline tin which had a handle attached, and off we started with our posters, etc. We had a good time preaching the Word as the people gathered round to see the posters, and we sold quite a few Gospels. Later we went to see Dr Hoyte of the China Inland Mission Hospital there. He re-dressed Mr. Hsu's neck and invited us to supper . We spent a nice evening together, and the doctor invited us to visit his patients on the morrow, which we did, and found them very ready to listen to the Gospel. The doctor invited me to dinner, and asked me to speak at the afternoon prayer-meeting which was being held for the foreigners, so I left Mr. Hsu to have dinner at the Hospital and continue the work there. At the prayer-meeting I spoke on the need of the Spirit's power in the ministry of the Word. The following day we left by bus for the Yellow River, arriving in the evening just after dark. Here the inn had no fire, and it was rather cool and gloomy, so I got them to buy some charcoal, and they made a charcoal fire on the top of a pan of ashes, and this looked quite cheery as it stood at the side of my bed. The next day we crossed the Yellow River in a crowded junk, arriving at a place called Tung Kuan. Here we had to stay for the night as the bus did not leave until the following morning. While waiting we got some paste ready, and went bill-posting. I shall never forget the last poster we put up. When I looked round, there was a sea of heads. We spoke to them, and then I pulled out my Gospels, and they sold like hot cakes.

We left the following morning in a good old Ford, arriving in the afternoon at Hsi An. Here we put up at an inn, and later stayed with a missionary and his wife until we left for Lanchow. We had already negotiated with the driver of an army truck, who at first said he would take us right through to Lanchow, but later said he was doubtful if he could get through as there were bandits on the road, but could take us as far as Ping Liang which was half-way. However, the Mission bus was going as far as Ping Liang, and they found room for us. The bus was crowded with luggage and passengers, and Mr. Hsu had to sit on the top with two other Chinese men. It was rather dangerous as there was no side protection, and these three held on to a rope that held the baggage. The car lurched from side to side, and we went along the edge of some very high precipices. One time I asked Mr. Hsu if he was afraid, and he said he didn't look. Later on in the day we got him inside, when some of the other passengers got off. After two days we arrived at Ping Liang, and now we had the worst part of the trip before us. We hired a cart and animals in company with a young man and his wife who had just come from Nanking, and were on their way to Lanchow, his home being very near there. It was agreed that the cart should take our luggage, that his wife should ride and we three walk. The first day we were" to go about twenty-three miles (70 li) but on hearing of a party of merchantmen having been attacked by bandits several days previous, and that there was a caravan ahead of us being escorted by soldiers, we decided to catch up and go along with them. We caught up to them about noon. Instead of going 70 li that day, we followed the caravan and went 110 51:We were well worn out with walking. The next day we had to cross a high mountain, so hired two donkeys, but it was so cold that it was better to climb the mountain on foot. That day we did about 125 51:Altogether we were eight days on the road, and we were certainly weary and footsore. When we arrived in Lanchow I hobbled with a big blister on one foot, and Mr. Hsu looked half-dead. What made things worse was that the water was so bad, and the food also. . The next day I went down to see Mr. Keeble and Mr. Mann of the China Inland Mission, and they kindly let us have a couple of rooms for a month in a compound which is being used at present as a Carpet Factory, until we can find a suitable place to stay.

MANCHURIA

For the benefit of those who have been watching recent events in North China and Manchuria, we quote below extract from a letter just to hand showing the distressing state that country has been brought to on account of the Japanese invasion and guerrilla warfare.
Hada, North China, April 8,1932.

The whole country is convulsed from end to end, and thousands of brigands who once were soldiers in Manchuria have been let loose on the border to harass the Japanese forces. The Jehol District, where we are working, is a kind of buffer State between China and the new State of Manchowkwo. We are cut off from the railhead and all trade is at a standstill. Itinerating is dangerous and the people, driven to desperation by the outrageous oppression of the military and official classes, are rising in several places. Ch'aoyang, a town four days' cart-journey to the south of us, and where we worked for years, has been besieged for weeks by the farmers, armed with all kinds of weapons and helped by the brigands. Finally, large bodies of troops had to be sent to quell the rising. All shops are closed and hundreds of people are in hiding.

AFRICA

Our brother Robert Deans and family since going to Lolua have been living in the cramped quarters built by their son Bill when he labored there alone. Our brother has now almost completed their new house, and hopes soon to move in. He writes as follows:

As our house is about ready for roofing we had a fine opportunity in preaching to a whole lot of Pygmies. They search the forest for the leaves for thatching and travel long distances with bundles of them on their backs, the bundles weighing from thirty to forty pounds. For this they only get three table-spoonfuls of rock salt per bundle, poor things; but they are glad to get the salt, and we are glad to get the leaves.

We were teaching school when they arrived. One can hear them from quite a distance as they sing their forest songs, or more rightly speaking, chants, while on the march. They are all women who do the carrying, and some use their native knives in place of cymbals. It is really quite a sight.

After they had dropped their bundles we brought them all in to the school-house, and one of the Christian men, Facili by name, preached to them in Kimbila, as they do not understand Kingwana. Pray, beloved brethren, for those dear Pygmies. How we would like to see some of them brought to Christ.

While at school two days ago, March 30th, at 9:30, an earthquake shock was felt. It was quite a sight to see all the natives in the school raise both their hands together (hands clenched) bringing them up and down until the quake passed off, in about 30 seconds. The only explanation we could get from them for their doing this was that they were possessed with fear, and were warding off anything that might happen.

Mrs. Deans thought the Lord was coming. Well, praise His Name, He will not be long. "Earthquakes in divers places" surely has a voice for us these days.

We had a small conference at brother Searle's home last week, and enjoyed it immensely. We were looking into 2nd Thessalonians. How very gracious it was of our dear Lord to unfold His mind to His saints by telling them about the awful calamities which are to come on the world. "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness that day should overtake you as a thief." "Let no man .deceive you by any means for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first." Praise God, we will be home with the Lord ere that awful day comes.

Brother Gordon Searle sends us the following, written on board the S. S. "Malda," while passing through the Red Sea:

We have had a good trip thus far. It was hot on the Indian Ocean and the first part of the Red Sea, though not unbearably so. But for the most part the Red Sea has been very pleasant, though a little rough on account of the strong head winds encountered. Today it is cool. We expect to arrive at Suez tonight and Port Said tomorrow, if the Lord will. At Port Sudan an accident occurred when a crane structure collapsed onto the ship. No one was hurt, but the ship was delayed an extra day. We were not dismayed by the delay as we had been having rough weather, and the delay gave the sea opportunity to get calm again. How many are the ways in which the gracious and kind hand of the, Lord operates on behalf of His own as well as for men in general.

The are several missionaries and Christians aboard, but one does' miss the Lord's table. Nevertheless we would remember Him and what He did for us. Precious Saviour and wondrous Lord, there is none beside Him! We are thinking now of how He brought His people through the Red Sea, and we partake of this experience by His grace, and are now standing on the salvation side of it with Him our Saviour and God, yes, and beyond the river also (Ps. 66:6). Praise His Name forever!

The Lord willing, our brother Searle expects to leave England on May 27th, on the S. S. "Nova Scotia," arriving at Halifax June 6th, intending to stay a little while with his relatives in Nova Scotia.

BRAZIL

Let us remember our brother Penna in prayer, as requested by him in a brief note written on March 30th. He writes,

"I am still very ill and cannot do any work, and writing is difficult. We have now two brethren here from the State of Parahyba. They are helping a great deal in the Lord's work. Please do pray for us, and especially for me, that the Lord may grant me health according to His will.

Change of Address:-Mail for brother Foggin should now be addressed, c|o-Post Office, Lanchow, Kansu, China.