Owing to lack of space in our May issue the following letters had to be omitted:
CHINA
Our brother Charles Kautto writes as follows:
Hopei (Chihli) North China, Feb. 14, 1930.
"Since our return from the north I have not been out much except that I made a trip to Tientsin, as no doubt you have seen from my wife's letter already, but we have enjoyed some nice meetings the past three weeks' evenings.
A regiment of cavalry is stationed here and as they used to have a very bad reputation, most of them being old bandits, I was a little afraid to try to open any work with them; yet I seemed to receive courage from above and started the meetings for them on Sunday evening three weeks ago. There were some 15 or 16 that came that first evening, and they behaved themselves so nicely that first evening that it took all my fears away, and ever since we have had encouraging meetings with them, usually lasting from two to three hours.
The past couple of days have been busy trying to get a street chapel put in working order. It has been my desire for many years to open a preaching place inside the city wall (as the mission compound is outside the city wall) but had not been able to secure a suitable place. Now this year there is a building empty in a very good location, and when we enquired of the owner, he was delighted that we should have the place. Of course it is not large, 14 ft. by 27 ft. but it will make a little street chapel which will face the space where the people do their marketing. It will give them an opportunity to step in and rest their feet while hearing the good news of Christ and His love to sinners.
We are also trying to get the school room ready here in the compound as after five days we expect to open a girls' school.
As to conditions north of the wall where the outstations are, the trouble is still unsettled. The soldiers who went to fight against the bandit-soldiers, as mentioned in the circular letter, which no doubt you have seen already, came back without the victory and lost two men. Some old bandits who had fled some years ago to Manchuria, when they heard of these fellow bandits being in trouble returned and were ready to renew their operations. However the leader of the bandit-soldiers was not willing to become a bandit again, so the old bandits went at night to his place and brought about his murder by treachery, after which his followers became bandits again, holding people for ransom. I heard yesterday that the hsien magistrate has offered as a reward to this murderer a position as captain if these bandits will become soldiers. But these reports are yet doubtful so we have to wait and see whether there are "soldiers" or bandits outside the wall-and I shall probably stay at a safe distance until I can know certainly. However we trust that the Lord will take care of us and protect us in the time of danger.
INDIAN WORK
We have received the following letters from brother Holcomb and brother J. P. Anderson:
Immanuel Mission to the Navahos, Shiprock, New Mexico, Mar. 29, 1930.
Dear brother:
We have had a very mild winter here, for which we are thankful, not only for ourselves, but it saves much suffering to our Navahos. They are not prepared for, or clothed for severe weather. Many of the children go nearly naked, and the little herders are not dressed for severe weather. They are out at times all day following their flocks in the snow. But to hear one complain or fret about cold or rain is very uncommon indeed. Ours are a very cheerful happy people.
We are asking the Lord to give us a well here on the hill. We carry all our water for house use from springs from 20 rods to one-quarter of a mile away. Most of these springs are strong alkali. We have bored down with a post auger nearly 40 ft. At about 20 ft. we found water but it too is strong' alkali. We went on down, and struck gravel, and hope it may be better, but with the surface water alkali we don't know how to handle it. We are not well diggers, and we are so far from where we can get any one to do such work, it is very expensive to bring such an one in here. Well God knows and we are asking Him. We are sad to hear of the death of our sister Miss Wilson. Every one is so much needed in that land. We are praying God will raise up some to take her p/ace. We planned to go to Africa, and waited many years for the Lord to open the way for us, but He did not seem to do so. Then we came here. Our hearts still go out to that dark needy land. -H. A. Holcomb.
Valentine, Arizona,
Dear brother in Christ:- March 26th, 1930, We are in receipt of your kind letter with the ministry from the Missionary meeting at Elizabeth, and we assure you we thank them for so kindly remembering us, both in their prayers and with their ministry.
How good is the God we adore. Surely He is mindful of us, and we thank Him for suppling our needs, and helping us in every way.
The work goes on here about as usual, preaching several times each week here and at Peach Springs, and then Sunday P. M. we try to have a big outdoor meeting with the Indians, going where they have gathered to have their big talk or to gamble. Last Sunday they did not even stop their gambling long enough to listen to the preaching. But a few came over who were not gambling and listened. Their hearts are hardened and they can listen to the old Gospel story time after time and still seem unmoved, but go on in their sins. Well thank God for those who have listened, and the rest are surely without excuse. But we will keep at it and do what we can for them, hoping they will open their hearts and let the Spirit have His way.
Soon our Christian boys and girls will have left this school for other higher schools, and we pray that they may go on in their Christian life, being testimonies for Him. With love in our Lord to you,
Mr. & Mrs. J. P. Anderson.
Harbor work
Miami, Florida, March 25th, 1930.
"Since Jan. 11th, 1930 to date 36 ships have been visited. British, Dutch, and American ships on which were also some Spanish and Portugese, with crews and officers ranging from 11 to over 200. Not a few thousands of tracts and Gospels have been given to the men with but few refusing them.
May the people of God everywhere pray for this work to seamen in the several harbors, and that many might come to our blessed Saviour. To Him be all the praise and honor, and that eternal. Pray for us.
Yours in Christ,
David H. Arthur.
Brooklyn, N. Y.
As the result of a meeting with some men from the steamer Devon we have received the following letter:
S. S. Devon, Newport News, Va. Dear Friend:-
I take the greatest pleasure in writing to you. I thank you with all my heart for all both you and Mr. Harris have done for me. Since I have taken your advice I have been very happy. I wondered why Christians were happy but now I know. I thank you for the magazines and Bible you gave me, they are the most interesting books I have ever read. I will pass them on to my girl (in Liverpool) and her Christian friends when I get home. I still believe in the Lord, sir, and always will. Your true friend and fellow-Christian,
Fred Court.
This young boy was converted on Tuesday the 1st of April at the mission hall on Fulton Street and we covet the prayers of our brethren for this work. Since the middle of March over 60 men have come to the hall. Fred Court is the first convert at this place.
-R. A. West.
The following more recent letters have come to hand:china
From Mr. C. O. Kautto:Beloved brother:- April 18th,1930.
Your kind letters have arrived safely, also the ministry from the Elizabeth Missionary Meeting. Kindly give our gratitude to all who remember us and the work here so faithfully.
While I was musing on God's goodness to us, three "exceedings" from Ephesians came to my mind:
(1)"And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward (1:19).
(2)"That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace"(2:7).
(3) "Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think" (3:20).
And the more we think of His exceedings, of what He is, and what He can do, the more it makes us to realize our own exceeding helplessness.
We are getting along nicely, the interest in the Gospel is as usual with the soldiers, and lately there has been better interest at the street chapel as there are more people coming to town as the bandits have been forcing many of them to flee from their homes to seek refuge in the cities.
Trusting this will find you all well and happy in the Lord, with our united Christian love to all.
Affectionately yours in Christ,
P. S.-Many thanks for the slip announcing brother Ridout's home going. Sorry to hear that a prince and a mighty man has fallen asleep. How blessed it is to have one's foot dipped in oil, leaving the marks of the Spirit's work wherever he has trodden. And the many good books that have been written by him will carry their influence far and wide. I think Heb. 13:7 will be well to keep in mind in this respect.
WEST INDIES
From Mr. J. B. Hoze:
Beloved brother in Christ:- April 2, 1930.
Your two letters came safe to hand yesterday. The one to our brother Egbert McDonald is being forwarded at once. Many thanks for your kind and loving service both towards him and myself. He is faithfully carrying on for the Lord at Trinidad both in making Christ known among the unsaved and taking the oversight of believers. May our Lord ever keep him faithful for he is profitable in the good work. Over here we are still pressing onward serving among saved and unsaved.
HARBOR WORK
From Baltimore we hear of encouragement in this work:Chas. H. Anderson writes:
The work on the ships goes on as usual. Every now and again, the Lord seems to allow a ray of clear light from the work to be seen.
About four weeks ago, a British ore ship, the S. S. "Hocelage" limped into port and was immediately dry-docked. One of the men, an engineer's mess-boy was saved, and a few days later his companion, a sailor, also found his need of a Saviour. The ship remained here for one month and it was a real joy to see these boys growing spiritually. I kept in contact with them while they were here. Brother A. S. Loizeaux was used to reach the mess-boy, and the sailor was reached at the Port Mission a week later. Both of them were there several times with me, also at the Bible Class in Arunah Ave. and in brother Loizeaux's home, and are bearing testimony. The chief engineer is a Christian also.
During a visit to the S. S. "Kafiristan" one night, we found several men had mouth organs, and producing a hymn book we had some singing. They were nearly all Welshmen from Cardiff. On Sunday night the whole bunch, 25 men, and their Captain, came to the Mission and the folk there heard some real Welsh singing. Three men and the Captain were Christians. The Captain's wife also was a Christian.
Yours in His service,
BELGIUM:
Mr. Octave Dandoy who labors in Belgium in addition to telling of several individual cases that he has been able to help and lead to the Lord writes as follows:
Thanks be to the Lord that He has encouraged us much in the work of seed-sowing and by the interest He has allowed us to see in a good number of hearers. Many places here have been witnessed to, and many people have heard the Gospel with interest.
How many good opportunities we have had to speak of the Lord and His love. Of what He has done by His sufferings and death to save us! What blessed moments have been passed with these dear souls witnessing that their hearts were touched. There have been times when it was hard to leave them. For the old people of these villages the way was long, but our grateful hearts made our thankful prayers rise up on behalf of these people with whom He had put us in touch.
SOUTH AMERICA
From Mr. B. Monttlau:
'In the midst of many difficulties, we have been experiencing the blessing of our gracious Lord in this section. Since the opening of the hall the attendance at the regular meetings and Sunday School has been encouraging and some among the adults and children have confessed faith in the Lord Jesus as their personal Saviour Last Saturday night five adults and a girl, about 14 years of age, gave their public testimony through baptism:others desire to follow soon. We had the privilege of giving the Gospel message to a large audience and we heard of blessing, for which we praise our Lord.
Since we took up the work here we have had much opposition, but the Lord is sustaining us in His grace. We covet your prayers.
AFRICA
In connection with the new site our young brother, Will Deans writes as follows:
March 10, 1930.
As the government has granted occupation of the mission site, I felt that to wait was to lose time, so Monday morning I brought a load through to the new site, "Lolua." As it was raining too hard to get a house up in the half day I left the supplies at a native hut the home of the village headmen, and left the boys I brought with me to "shepherd" them as the natives say.
After spending Monday night with the Woodhams at Mambasa we tried to finish the shack Tuesday. But as the rain prevailed it was not until Wednesday that I could call the shack "home." Tuesday night I spent at the home of this headman. But one can hardly expect untroubled slumbers when the smoke of several fires fills the room and the drone of native voices robs the night of its stillness.
I had several opportunities to present the Word to individuals but it was not until to-day, Sunday, that I was able to reach a good number together.
What encouragement it was to have over seventy pairs of ears eagerly poised to hear the Word for the first time. How welcome it was to them. Pray that God by His spirit will give them the joy of receiving it in their souls as well as their ears. I preached a little over three hours, then stopped not because they were tired but because I was, and didn't want to give them too much at one time, lest they understand none at all. But they wanted more so we sang "Nothing but the blood of Jesus" over and over again, and I believe some of them learned it.
Strange to say that, except for one little girl, those seventy were all males. Not a woman present. But I have been reaching them as they come, some twenty or more, for medicine every day.
Pray for us here. There is one native Christian with me. Others mentioned coming, but I pressed none. It is several days since I saw a white face. I guess it will be another week or so before the Doctor passes through to Nyankundi.
The forest is on every side, miles and miles of forest monarchs towering above a mass of tangled undergrowth. Today a group of monkeys passed by, almost over our heads.
The pygmies brought in the leaves for the shack. It's surprising to see the strength of the little pigmy women. They accept no pay except salt. A spoonful of salt is ample payment for a load of leaves, a day's work. I gave them the Gospel, but their indifference is the same as that of their white "Bwanas," "plenty of time for that."
We are close to the pigmy village and will keep presenting the Word. If they continue to refuse they will be, at least, without excuse, for our Lord's commandment to us is to "preach the Word." The men are more interested but feel it is too much that the same Gospel should exist for their masters as for them.
Keep the work before the Throne of Grace, that these darkened minds may experience the brightness of Salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
While I am still talking Kingwana, I am mixing words of this local language with it, for work in this tribe (Babila) will be especially effective when using their own tribal language. I trust the Lord will give us wisdom in all our contacts with the natives here.
Mr. and Mrs. Searle passed on their way to Nyankundi with their newly born "Thomas Gordon" and David. Miss DeJonge also is there for a week or more rest after the strenuous work at Mambasa, and the shock occasioned by Miss Wilson's death.
Give our Christian love to all the saints and again we solicit your continued prayers on our behalf, that in all the Lord's hand may be seen, and that souls may be saved to His glory.
Your brother in Christ Jesus our Lord,
Brother Robert Deans writes as follows:
We had a rather painful case brought here the other week. A native boy, 15 years old, was out hunting with others and they thought he was an animal in the bush and thrust a spear clean through his body. They brought him here in native fashion, bark cloth slung on a pole, serving as a stretcher.
The doctor being at Mombasa, but expected next day we dressed the wounds which were ghastly especially the side the spear went in at. We applied permanganate of potash as a disinfectant, then poured in Mercurochrome and applied a salve, binding both wounds tightly.
Next day they brought him and the wounds were closed and looked wonderfully well. The boy also was feeling a little better. An opening for the Gospel message was now found and the precious story told to the crowd gathered around. The Doctor arrived but said the lad had no hope as peritonitis was sure to set in which really did, the lad dying the same night. The Word of life was preached however and who knows but that the sad circumstance may be the means of leading some one to our Saviour's feet!
From Dr. Woodhams we have the following:
"The people at Mambasa seem hard to touch with the Gospel and so far we have no conversions to report, but there will be. There was a time when it was just like this at Nyankundi (and also at Akara), but last Lord's Day we were all at Nyankundi and were much rejoiced to remember the Lord with a good number who have been added to the church there. It is a great encouragement to see that fruit has indeed followed. It is a very nice assembly there now. So we sow in hope knowing that the same seed will also bring forth the same results here in due time. But three Mohammedans in all have been converted at Irumu. One of them received a copy of John's Gospel and was "born again" and came into the light from reading it. He has since been active among others and one of the others is the result of his testimony to him. I have not yet met them and give these details from brother Searle but he has seen them several times and seems impressed with the real change that is evident in their lives.
"Forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" but this is preceded by a "therefore" which connects it with the thought of the chapter, namely that this "corruptible must put on incorruption" and this being the case and being the hope, be assured that "your labor is not in vain in the Lord." As brother McKenzie once said in a Bible address in Oakland "wherefore the therefore?" "There is always a reason for the "therefore", and always profit in seeking its connection.
Your brother in Christ,
Dr. Woodhams and family are still waiting for the way to be opened for them to leave for a furlough and the Dr. has promised to cable when they actually leave.
The following extract is from the Africa Inland Missionary magazine:
"All Christians everywhere today should pray for Africa, but above all, Christian women should pray for the women of Africa. Realizing that Christian homes are the very foundation of all good society and progress, and that these cruel and wretched customs from which Africa's girls and women suffer are beyond the help of man, women should call 'upon God to stretch forth His hand in behalf of their sisters in Kikuyu land and in all that great stretch of territory known as the Dark Continent. '
We are thankful brother, to report safe arrival of our dear brother, William C. Amies, his wife and tow children came in on Tuesday, May 13th. They are for the present staying with his wife’s relatives near Camden, N.J.
We have just received tidings of the sailing of our brother J. P. Ribeiro of Brazil for this country. He is due on May 27th.