CHINA
We are glad to have the following interesting letter from our brother Foggin and would call particular attention to the last paragraph. Should it not be a reminder to us to treasure our Bibles more?
Dear brother:Taitowying.
You speak of my first impressions. Well, I must confess that they were different from what I had expected, but I trust that my faith will rest in God, and not in circumstances.
When I first arrived in Taitowying, everything seemed so strange. I had only known Mr. and Mrs. Kautto a few days, and I was in a foreign land surrounded by foreign people to whom I could not speak. After a little while I learned a few of the characteristics of the people, which did not appeal to me in the least. The Chinese mind does not think in the same way as that of the foreigner, and one has to learn to think in a different way.
Since my arrival my time has been fairly well occupied learning the language and playing for Mr. Kautto at the gospel meetings. These last few days we have been having more meetings than usual, owing to the fact that a great many people are coming to Taitowying from the villages on account of the bandits. Yesterday we had four meetings, one in the street chapel in the morning, two on the streets in the afternoon, and one in the Gospel Hall in the evening. It seems as though we can get a good listening crowd at any time of the day we have a mind to go out. In the afternoon we picked an elevated spot, upon which an old idol temple stood, to preach from. The people soon thronged us as we began to play and sing hymns. A Mr. Chang, an old Christian man, spoke first, and while he was speaking a woman passed by sobbing and crying aloud, and the people began to smile, and I asked Mr. Kautto what was the trouble, and learned that her son had died. It seemed so strange to me that the sorrow of another should make others smile. Then Mr, Kautto spoke, and after he had been speaking for quite a while a loud Chinese clarinet began to sound out its weird tones near-by, and its noise drowned the voice of the speaker, and then other instruments joined in the melody, including the drum and cymbal. We discovered it was the funeral band of a man who had just died, so we moved to another stand, and Mr. Kautto spoke long to a good number of people who seemed to listen well. Mr. Kautto's theme of late has been much like that of Jeremiah. He has been pointing out to the people the source of their ills, and exhorting them to turn to the True and Living God through faith in Jesus Christ. We trust that God in His mercy will grant repentance unto this people who have long rejected His Word.
This is a country where the Bible is not appreciated except by a few scattered Christians here and there, and its effect is plainly seen. Americans little realize how much they owe to the Bible; and those who are seeking to destroy it are destroying the foundation upon which they themselves are standing. Remember me kindly to all the saints.
Recent letters from brother Kautto continue to mention the unsettled condition of the country, causing difficulty in visiting out-stations and in traveling generally. Since our brother's last letter further news has come to hand indicating large troop-movements in that part in China, which will no doubt aggravate the unsettled conditions. Truly, we need to bear our dear brethren up before the throne of grace.
INDIAN WORK
Our brother Holcomb and those engaged in the Indian work have passed through exceedingly trying times this summer owing to extreme heat and drought. There has been some little relief, for which we are thankful, as per note from brother Holcomb's daughter, who writes on Sept. 12:
We have had enough rain to cool the air, and it has done the garden and the pastures some good, but our rainfall this summer has not been adequate to bring on sufficient grass crop for winter forage, so that the prospects for our Navahos for this winter are as serious as any year that I can recall. It is fortunate that they do not worry much about their troubles before they get to them. Sheep-raising and blanket-making are practically the whole business of the tribe, and the outlook in both lines is very poor. We do trust that in this time of stress, they may open their hearts to their Heavenly Lover.
We also give a more detailed letter from Miss Holcomb who wrote in the absence of her father, who had gone to attend the conference at Oakland.
Shiprock, New Mexico, Sept. 4, 1930. Dear brother:
My father has gone out to Oakland to attend the Conference there, and may remain on the coast for some weeks before returning. The Girdners and I are seeking to continue the gospel testimony here from day to day. This being the season for sheep-dipping we are having from thirty to forty Navaho callers at the Mission each day. All the sheep are to be dipped twice this year, in an effort to stamp out the disease of scab among them, so the process will require about a full month. It keeps us all busy caring for those who come to the Mission. Many come on account of our free dispensary, and others for small favors that they hope to get here, but anyway they do come, and so we have very large opportunities to present the love of God and our Lord Jesus Christ to them. Sheep-dip always brings to the Mission a number of comparative strangers, most of whom have seldom heard the gospel, and there is a peculiar joy in giving a gospel message to them. Perhaps you may have heard through my father of our new well, which supplies us all with abundance of good water for the house, not nearly as hard as what we had been using, and very cold. That is very refreshing, and it is a pleasure to give a cup of cold water to our many callers, for most of them come in off the desert very thirsty. The fact that our new well is only a few rods from the house is also an added convenience and time-saver.
One evening recently I had just gone to my room at about nine o'clock when I heard footsteps in the hall. We never lock our doors day or night except when we are all away from the house, and our Navahos come in, as their custom is with one another, without knocking. I stepped back into the living-room to meet my guests, and four young men came in. The first lives on the edge of this community; two have been at the Mission occasionally, though living farther away, and the fourth was a stranger to me. When they were seated our neighbor said, "We came to hear you sing."Then pointing to the stranger he added, "This one said he wanted to hear you tell God's Word all night."I was familiar enough with the expression "All night" to know that till midnight would satisfy them. They all gave excellent attention as I talked at length with them of God's greatness and love, of man's sinfulness, and of judgment to come. One who has never tried it, can scarcely realize into what details one must go to make simple and understandable the sweet story of God's love to lost sinners to one who has never heard it. It turned out that the stranger has been off the reservation herding sheep for a white man for nine years, and so speaks fair English; but, on account of the others, our conversation was all in Navaho. Soon after we began another man came in, and after listening for a little time became sleepy, whereupon the young man who brought the others in turned to him and said, "You do not need to stay if you do not wish, but she is going to talk to us for a long time."And their wanting to listen for a long time made it easy to say much that cannot be put into a few minutes' talk. Though this young stranger had lived so long among white people he seemed never to have heard the Gospel, and when he came back to visit among his people and heard that there was a woman in Salt-bush Community who sang and prayed and talked in Navaho, he seems to have had a desire to hear for himself. He has gone on, and one wonders il' his path will ever again cross ours, but we are so thankful for this one opportunity of talking to him and his companions at length as to their need of the Saviour and of their sins against Him.
We appreciate very much the prayers of God's children for us and our people, and would ask you in particular to pray that they may soon come to feel their need of the Saviour. -Clara E. Holcomb.
AFRICA
Last month we mentioned the safe arrival of Dr. Woodhams and family and Miss De Jonge at San Francisco. The Doctor and family are staying on the west coast. For the time their address will be 427 Washington Ave., Redwood City, Calif. Miss De Jonge has gone on to her home at Grand Rapids, Michigan, where her address is 2032 Porter St., S. W.
The Doctor writes as follows:
We are very grateful to all the saints who in faithfulness to our Lord made possible our coming home at this time. Yet our thanks are to our God who has so directed our way. The many things involved in returning for furlough make it a more serious matter to return than to go out to Africa in the first place. But in all these matters the Lord's hand was evident, and we are very thankful, and looking back can only say, "How good is the God we adore!" One of the chief matters so provided for was the opportune arrival of our brother Deans and his family and besides this, the safe journey and safe arrival. Though it was necessary for our health's sake to come, yet our hearts are still in Mambassa, and we are more anxious to be there again than we were to leave there for America. It seems evident that the time is short, and what we are to do before our Lord appears we must do promptly.
I want to visit the assemblies, but we also want to leave for Africa again by April of next year, God willing. I hope to reach most of the assemblies in the West, and as far as Chicago, before January 1st, and then return to California and take my family on East, D. V. Then after a few months of cold weather we will be ready again for the Congo.
Two sisters in the meetings here have stated their desire to return with us to the work in the Congo if our Lord shall so open the way. These are Miss Simcoe, of San Francisco Assembly, and Miss E. Creighton, of the San Mateo meeting. May brethren everywhere join in prayer for these that our Lord may direct them according to His own purpose for them. If a Roman centurion could command another to go or come, then surely much more can our Lord Jesus who is actively Head of the Body, which we are.
Mrs. Deans informs us that her son, William, who was actively engaged in opening the new station, has now been laid aside by rheumatism. Prayer is requested on his behalf.
Our brother William G. Amies reports the birth of a daughter, Mary Eunice, on September 12th, and through the Lord's mercy both mother and child are well. He also says, "The Lord in His mercy has provided for us so far, and we look to Him to provide our future needs." Our brother would value prayer on his behalf, particularly as to guidance in the Lord's work.
Just as we go to press a letter comes from our brother Win. Deans which we insert. May it call forth much prayer, not only for our brother, but that the work begun may be carried on.
Nyangkundi, August 11, 1930.
My dear brother in the Lord:
From a short time preceding the departure of the Woodhams party I have been bothered with rheumatism, but had not been affected seriously prior to their departure. The week of their going I was able to drive the car with the trunks to the port, and made several trips alone by motor-car and motor-bike after we had bid them farewell.
The extreme dampness of the forest aggravated the trouble, so that it was not long ere "Kipoy," the native carrying-chair, became the only comfortable means of travel between my home and the village shelter where the regular services are held. Use of a cane to help in walking soon followed, while appearance of the sun would be a signal for me to benefit by its healing rays, by sitting, legs exposed, for hours enjoying the heat it gave.
School term was opened on the last Wednesday in July, and I was indeed encouraged to see the goodly number of children and adults gathered to learn to read, and to hear the Word of God daily. You may be sure it was with a heavy heart I entrusted their welfare to two native Christian men, while I took the advice of Mr. Searle and Dad to go with them to Rethi, for examination and medical advice from Dr Trout of the Africa Inland Mission, who is stationed there. But I feel they are not in human hands, for we are much before God in their behalf, that the dear Christians left to instruct them may have wisdom from above, and that the Word proclaimed may be with the power of the Spirit, to the enlightenment of the unsaved for their eternal happiness through the way provided by our Lord and Saviour.
The last Lord's Day in July found the group of Pygmies encamped near-by (because of the operations of the Martin Johnson Party), at the service in response to a hearty invitation I had extended the day before. Never before have I seen so many Pygmies together, and I rejoiced to find prayer answered by their presence. Imagine over two hundred Pygmies crowded in a small area, while their negro dictators sit within as well, anxious to direct the actions of the little fellows. In simplicity the Word was presented, pointing out how we, vile sinners, may obtain redemption through the blood of God's Son given and offered for "whosoever," and of His rising, so that we worship not a dead, but a living Lord. May the very simplicity of the truth penetrate their hearts, so that some of that unusual company may desire the knowledge of sins forgiven.
Monday found us on the road to Nyangkundi, and Tuesday on the road to Rethi to confer with Dr. Trout. He said, "To bed for observation and treatment." That didn't sound encouraging at all, but when he said, "No more forest," that was about the worst he could have said, for I just love those forest folk, and my heart is in the bringing of the gospel to them. But the Lord knows all about it.
Leaving Rethi (7,000 ft.) we returned to Nyangkundi (5,000) where Mr. and Mrs. Searle have kindly offered their hospitality and attention until I am able to walk again.
Meanwhile I spend most of the day in bed, and take medicine every hour, and a hypodermic every second day, while diet is reduced to milk, eggs and vegetables, with lime-juice between meals, holding Epsom hot packs on affected parts for three hours a day as well. We have seen nothing of the sun for many days, but upon its reappearance I am to continue the solar treatment. May I ask your prayers for my speedy recovery?
The forest work will be watched from both the Nyangkundi and the Mambassa station until the Lord's mind is clear in the matter. We all realize that the Lord has been indeed good in allowing us to raise His banner there, and it is not our intention, God willing, to fail to uphold the testimony there. Manual work is being carried on . (as well as the school and gospel services) by the natives, and a bigger clearing is being made, while others are to start brick-making shortly, D. V. Pray for this light in a corner, that it may be kept burning brightly for the glory of God and our Lord Jesus Christ whom He hath sent.
While inactive physically, I am having much time for study and meditation, and I am indeed enjoying the beauties of the Word. Just now I am studying in Hebrews, and indeed delight to review the Priestly aspect of our Lord. "Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners and made higher than the heavens, who needeth not daily as those high priests to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins and then for the people; for this He did once when He offered up Himself" (Heb. 7:25-27). What a wonderful Saviour is Jesus, our Lord! I have just finished re-reading that book by A. Glover, "A Thousand Miles of Miracle in China." How such a testimony reminds us that His eye is on the sparrow, so that we, His redeemed, may worship His holy Self knowing that He cares for us, day by day.
By the time this reaches your hands we trust our brethren, Dr. Woodhams and party, will have reached home shores. May their ministry be instrumental in pointing the unsaved to Christ, and in strengthening the faith of the saints.
With my exception, all here are enjoying vigorous, good health, and we pray the Lord will give them strength from day to day. Ask the saints to pray for me that I may, by God's grace, be raised from this affliction to be of further use in leading sinners to Christ here in this field of ripe opportunity.
Your brother in our gracious Lord,
Bill Deans.