TRANSLATION OF THE SCRIPTURES

Attention was recently drawn to the urgent necessity for the translation of the Scriptures into African languages and dialects. We are glad to have the following letter from our brother Will Deans on the subject:

Lunyoro is the language spoken by the Bahema people (of which Kihema is a dialect), and is generally used as the vernacular throughout Uganda. The C.M.S. have produced an excellent translation of the complete Bible, with the New Testament separately, in Lunyoro, printed by the British and Foreign Bible Society. I usually send money to the C.M.S. for a supply, and sell them to our people here. The Bible sells for twenty-eight francs (more than a dollar now), the New Testament for twelve francs. In addition they have a nice little primer which contains the vowel combinations, and in the back has several pages of well chosen Bible verses. The Ten Commandments are also printed in the primer (having only the Word of God in it, and the vowel and consonant combinations which make the reading of the Word possible), and the New .Testament and Bible are extremely valuable. I am never without a supply. The Bahema people have Kingwana for a part of the New Testament (through Mr. Lowder), but from the above-mentioned source we are able to supply them with the whole Word in their own tribal tongue.

The work here on the station has proceeded from being primarily a Babira work to a Bahema. Thus, although none of us speak Kihema, we are able to reach them in their own tongue through the Bibles we buy from C.M.S. As to the current Kingwana situation, a translation is being prepared which is a revision of Mr. Lowder's work, together with the incorporation of new forms of speech in use. The British and Foreign Bible Society has arranged for a conference for the users of Kingwana, with a view to consolidating existing translations into one general translation, which they will publish. The brethren here suggest that I go to this conference, and transportation has been offered by neighboring missionaries, so we are looking to, the Lord for His will in the matter.

Brother Deans also sends us the following interesting account of gospel activity:

Two new Gospel centers are being opened this month, One is in the Walesi District in the forest. This is at the edge of the forest in a different direction from our other forest work. One of the teachers was passing the village and the Walesi people clamored around him, "Are you a teacher?" To, his reply in the affirmative they led him to a small building which they had built in hopes some day they would be able to have a teacher. The brother gathered them together in the hut-some ISO of them, he said-and they heard the gospel for the first time. In answer to their pitiful beseechings a brother has gone (a volunteer) and will spend his time with the gospel among them. The other is in a Mubira village, where several Christians have been enthusiastic about meeting for Bible study. When we were there last week they had seventy poles cut. Since then they have erected them, and the meeting-house is under way. We will be able to reach several large villages from there. One brother has it on his heart to go. His name is Kimereki. He has elephantiasis, and his feet are huge, but he loves the Lord, and may God bless him.

At the other Babira village interest continues, and the day before yesterday the chief showed me a big drum he had bought for fifty francs, to call the people together. The meeting-house will be half-way between two villages whose chiefs have been very favorable. Situated very near to both (in a grave of eucalyptus trees) we hope it will be a gathering place for Christians and a rendezvous for seeking sinners. I firmly believe one of these chiefs is a Christian.

During the year 1933 ten new Gospel Centers have been opened in villages in which no permanent work had been done. These centers, chiefly in the Balendu groups, act as bases from which the evangelists who settle bring the Word to villages in a given radius. At the center a Scripture school is conducted daily, natives being instructed in the rudiments of learning and given a training in the Word.

God brought about a revival in Sesabo's village, where work had been practically abandoned due to keen R. C. opposition…. Twenty-one new workers, many accompanied by their wives, have entered the field of service this year… .At Nyangkundi in early November we had the privilege of baptizing 162 believers. Fully half of these are from the bush areas, having been reached from the Gospel Centers. Truly, we can praise the Lord.

A missionary writing from another part of Africa makes the following remark:"If there are any who require prayer more than others it is the native Christians who live in the heathen villages and whose testimony means so much for the propagation of the gospel. We trust that you will pray for these and for the many native assemblies."

CHINA-Brother Foggin writes as follows:

Taitowying, Jan. 13, 1934.

The work here goes on about the same, except for the meetings which brother Kautto is holding every evening on the book of Exodus. Mrs. Kautto and baby are progressing fine, baby having gained 2 lbs. 9 oz., in two weeks. If it pleases the Lord I hope to leave again for Kansu soon. Kindly give my love to all the saints.

BRAZIL-Brother Penna writes as follows:

Parintins, Jan. 19, 1934.

Is. 40:31; 2 Thess. 3:1. "Grace unto you and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Since April, 1931, we have been laboring in the Lord's work here in the Amazon Valley, in the vast district of Parintins of more than 20,000 kilometers, with a scattered population of about 22,000 souls. The neighboring districts of Barreirinba and Maues, each comprising more or less the same extension of Parintins, lie yet unreached by the Gospel, although the heretical Seventh-day Adventists have been working for years in a few points of the district of Maues. This serves to show you how vast this field is, and haw you are called to cooperate with us by prayer, praying the Lord to send laborers to His harvest here. This is our great need. Will you pray for it?

Our Lord has been pleased to bless and to show His approval of our work for Him. An assembly has been formed at Uicurapa River, where breaking of bread is observed every other Sunday, and where a Sunday School is regularly going on with about forty persons enrolled. This small assembly, although encouraged, has been fiercely aimed at by the devil, desiring to mar the testimony. We are carrying on here by God's grace. There are some difficulties to overcome. Will you pray to the Lord in our favor? Be pleased to cooperate by prayer, and our great foe shall certainly be defeated and our blessed Lord glorified.

At Mirity Lake there is a company of believers, about twenty in number. It has been our desire to begin breaking of bread there and to start in a regular Sunday School. We hope to do this very soon this year. The lack of a S. S. teacher is a great hindrance. Will you pray that the Lord may grant us to begin breaking of bread soon and to have Sunday School there?

Lake Joseassu is a new place reached with the Gospel in the past year. Five persons are now converted in this place and there are a few more interested. We preach there every other Sunday, the meeting being well attended. There is a good hope of many being converted in this place. Will you pray that definite fruit may be seen there this year?

Boca do Ramos is another place reached with the gospel in the past year. A couple have been converted there. The Japanese settlement is situated here. Gospel work among Japanese living in the Amazon Valley is a challenge to a Japanese-speaking God's servant. We preach at Boca do Ramos every second Saturday, and we hope others will be brought to the Saviour. Will you pray that this may be so indeed?

At Castanbal, in the neighboring district of Barreirinba, some twelve persons confess our Lord as Saviour. During the past year we could pay but one visit to these brethren, owing to the great distance from here, almost three days' journey by canoe. These brethren believe on the Lord Jesus as Saviour, but are without teaching from the Word. Will you pray that the Lord will enable us to take care of them, feeding them from the Word?

Our canoe for the Lord's work here is only half-ready. The hull is finished, but the interior work, the wooden covering, cabin, sails, floor on the bottom of the hull, etc., are yet to be done. We hope our Lord will grant that we may finish our canoe very soon. As the region where we live is a region of rivers and lakes, transit is only by water. Hence the urgent need of a good canoe. The currents of the rivers are strong, and we must reach many places in a short time. This is the reason why we are praying the Lord to give us an engine to be placed in our canoe. The hull is made for this purpose, and an engine of six h.p. can be used to advantage. Will you pray for this?

Oh, pray for us! You can positively help us through your prayers. Our Lord's coming is soon approaching and souls are perishing without Christ. Thank God, twelve souls were saved here in the past year. But how small this number! Again, pray for us. Thank you in His Name.

WORK AMONGST SEAMEN

"They that go down to the sea in ships, and do business in great waters, these," says the Psalmist, "see the works of the Lord and His wonders in the deep." Amongst these too it has been our privilege to see the wondrous work of the Lord in changed lives and bright testimonies, of those who have believed the gospel and have Christ for their Master and Pilot. Our brethren who devote their time to visiting ships for tract-distribution and personal work among seamen, could doubtless tell of many bright conversions and of lonely Christians being helped and encouraged. Our brother Holwill, writing of his work in the port of Montreal, tells of several ships that have been wrecked or lost at sea during recent years, and emphasizes the solemn thought that each time a, seaman is spoken to or a ship visited with tracts it may be the last opportunity for such word or work on that vessel. The following are a few instances which he gives of this kind:

S. S. Teesbridge. – I remember visiting this ship with Gospels, tracts, etc., and spoke a personal word wherever possible concerning the welfare of their souls. Shortly after the vessel foundered in mid-Atlantic, leaving no trace of either ship or crew.

S. S. Enton.-We only had a brief time to witness a-board this ship but as with the Teesbridge it was her last voyage. The vessel was wrecked in the Pacific, but fortunately some of the crew were rescued.

S. S. Cariboo, a vessel well-known here in Montreal, was wrecked off the coast of South. Africa, her crew barely escaping a watery grave. Many happy hours I had spent aboard that vessel and knew almost every man of the crew.

S. S. Saxilby. – Lost off the coast of Ireland a few months ago. This ship had been an open door to me during the last year. God in His mercy may have used some of our tracts for His glory.

S. S. Pennyworth.-On October 12th we had the happy privilege of spending about four hours on this vessel. It was a Lord's Day evening and it was bitterly cold. The ship's forecastle was very uncomfortable, owing to a smoky stove, but after tea, to which I was invited, about sixteen gathered, and I was able to speak on the Prodigal Son, urging the hearers to take their place as lost sinners before God, and cast themselves on His mercy. The ship sailed the following day, and a few days later was wrecked and became a total loss.

S. S. Fernmoor.-This ship also was visited about that time, and also became a total loss. In both of these case! the crews were rescued, but it certainly shows how the sailor's life is fraught with danger and makes us long to reach them with the gospel.

Brother Holwill also tells us of a way in which the sisters can help in this work. He says, "Sailors have, as part of their outfit, what is known as a 'ditty bag.' That is a small bag about the size of a brush-and-comb bag, used for keeping sewing materials and other odds and ends. Sisters in their Sewing Circles could make some of these bags for free distribution, and the following are a few suggestions for contents which may be helpful:A few rolls of bandages, made of new or old material, and of assorted sizes. A small tube of salve, or curative ointment, such as Mecca. A package or two of sewing-needles, and a reel or two of thread. Darning-needle and a small quantity of wool. Note-paper and envelopes are appreciated. A few pads of different sizes. One or two small cakes of soap. Into these bags the worker puts a Testament or Gospel booklet." Many hundreds can be used, and any interested and wishing to help could get in touch with MT. S. J. Holwill, 5233 Wellington Street, Verdun, P. Q., Canada, for Canadian ports, and Mr. R. A. West, c|o Loizeaux Bros., for American ports.

Sydney, Australia.-Our brother Herman E. Martens, of California, U. S. A., was called Home on December 7th. Of his work it is reported that during the first eleven months of 1933 he visited 485 ships, distributed amongst the sailors 8,335 portions of Scripture, Testaments, and Bibles in the English language, and 9,233 in various foreign languages. May the seed sown by our brother before his Home call have much fruit to our Lord's eternal glory. "Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days" (Eccl. 11:1).