"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" (Ps. 126:5, 6).

We have been reminded of the above verse in connection with our brethren who have gone forth into other lands "bearing precious seed." The conditions under which our brethren and sisters labor at the present time make it, figuratively speaking, a time when sowing has to be done with weeping, and while the Scripture referred to speaks of the time of ingathering and rejoicing, when Israel is brought back into the land, it is good to think of the precious fruit now being gathered for the Lord.

AFRICA

The following extract from a letter by our brother Deans shows one of the many difficulties with which they have to contend:

Last Sunday we went out to preach the gospel at the Mohammedan chief's quarters. He, who before was very friendly to us and showed marked interest in the message, flatly refused to allow us to sing or preach. Thinking I could get a start, I asked if he would not allow us to sing, but, no, he would not allow even that. I am afraid other Mohammedans have influenced him against the blessed story. Well, although some said we will not go there again, such is not the case, for back we will go. We have not been stoned yet, and when we think of the dear Apostle "back among the stones" at Lystra, the being insulted while one wishes to present such a blessed message is to be expected in this day of His rejection. "Brethren, pray for us."

Brother Gordon Searle writes:

Our dear brother Bill Deans is still laid up with rheumatism, and is hardly able to walk. Mrs. Deans and Ella take it in turns by the month to keep house for him here, as the doctor says he should not return to the forest. He needs your united prayers that the Lord will raise him up in due time by His mercies.

A young missionary in Africa in acknowledging a small gift from a school-boy writes as follows:

You can't understand how much I appreciate this, especially since I can see it is a sacrifice on your part. Still one would hardly say it is a sacrifice, as even that dollar you sent has been used to carry on the work of spreading the gospel among those who know it not. It is therefore a better investment than if used for other purposes of a less serious nature.

SOUTH AMERICA

We are glad to have a letter from our brother Monttlau and to know he and his family have been kept safe in spite of the political disturbance in that country. He writes:

Well, dear brother, how many things can happen in a few weeks. We had revolutions, storms, hurricanes, continual change of weather; sometimes several changes in the same day, and thus many were sick. There were over twelve people whom we intended to baptize last month, but we had to delay till last Lord's Day, and then only three were ready. Some are still sick or convalescent. But we received much blessing, thank the Lord! Those baptized were full of joy. The hall was packed with attentive people; many coming for the first time. Some policemen, who always promised to come but found no time, were also present, and we were thankful, as much prayer was made for them. We are confident about two of them, whose lives were wonderfully spared during the revolution last month. One was fired on seventeen times and came out unharmed. His wife was baptized and she is confident her husband has been converted. We hope also that another policeman who was present, whose wife was baptized also, will soon confess the Lord. We expect another season of blessing when we baptize the rest.

Also a letter from brother J. P. Ribeiro:

Parantins, Oct. 13, 1930.

Brethren and sisters, do pray for us "without ceasing." The civil war is upon us, the whole of Brazil is in turmoil. There is much suffering, physical and moral. No rains this year, crops were lost, famine and destitution ensued. Our brethren, especially, being of the poorest, incur the heavier trials. They bring their hungry children to us, we just sing and pray together, unable to give them a bit of bread. Oh, the tribulations! We must "enter through" them (Acts 14:22) with peace in the Lord. Lord, Thou art coming as the bright, morning star-our Hope.

WORK AMONGST THE INDIANS

From our brother Holcomb we have the following:

I attended the Oakland Conference. Felt we had a very good time. Dear brother Ironside was there and spoke several times. Brother Elliott McAllister and I came home together in his auto, the last leg of the journey, about a thousand miles. He stayed with us for some days, and visited camps with the younger people.

They attended a native wedding also, that of a daughter of an old heathen friend, a nice old man who was especially glad to have our people there. A Navaho wedding is a free-for-all. This young bride was very happy to marry this man, she said, because she had seen and danced with him. Many of the Navaho brides have never before seen their bridegroom, or at least never known him.

From our brother J. P. Anderson we give the following:

It is good to know that our brethren are not forgetting to pray for us and all others who are away from the fellowship of their brethren most of the time, as we are out here. We do miss them, and yet the Lord has always had someone here that we could have some fellowship with, amongst the employees, and we thank Him for sending them here.

Just at the present time our brother and sister Erwin Dresch, from San Antonio, Texas, are here for a few days, and we are glad to have them. The Indian children dearly love Mr. Dresch as he has such a winning way with them.
Last week Mr. Holcomb and Mr. McAllister were with us several days. The Catholics have at last decided to come in here too, and teach the Indian children that come from Catholic homes. So far they have not started, as there are no Catholic employees to help them out.

Returning Missionaries and New Workers

Doctor Woodhams and family and Miss DeJonge are desirous of returning to Africa early in the coming year, and plan, God willing, to sail from New York sometime in April. As the expenses of this journey will be considerable our brother feels cast upon the Lord that the need might be met. In a recent letter he says:

The Lord turned us this morning again to the well-known assurance that, "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." We feel that our work is at Mambassa. We had to come home for health's sake, but the Lord knows about each detail in connection with expenses of our returning. Our only longing is that we may know His heart and care, and thus have faith increased by all through which we may pass. May we have grace to wait on the Lord only.

Miss Esther A. Creighton, of San Mateo, California, is desirous of accompanying Dr. Woodhams and family back to Africa to devote herself to the Lord's work in that land. Miss Creighton has the full fellowship of the saints in her home assembly in the step which she is about to take, and would appreciate fellowship in prayer on her behalf.