Doctor Woodhams and his family, with Miss Dejonge and Miss Creighton, had a good crossing in the "Aquitania," arriving in London, June 4th, and sailing again for Africa June 5th. The following is an extract from a letter written at sea:

S.S. "Aquitania," at Sea.

"We are grateful to our God for setting us on our way and for the many mercies we have enjoyed through His people. Nothing has been lacking and no note of discord in it all. I do not refer to material ministry and that "with which to pay the fare," necessary as that is, but rather to that interest and co-operation and practical love in Christ by the Lord's people which must be given by our Lord Himself to be enjoyed. I have started Miss Creighton on Kingwana to-day and we will have a daily lesson, D.V., from now on. Otherwise, the boat routine is just as usual."

A further letter comes from London, as follows:

London, June 5th.

"Had a pleasant day here yesterday, and to-day we came on board. The ship sails at noon. We got rooms at "Homeleigh," the mission home in which we stayed in 1925. It is very pleasant here, and the people very warmhearted Christians. A meeting had been arranged for us at Benton Hall last evening. We enjoyed the evening very much. Tea was served at 6:30, and then after several prayed I had an opportunity of telling them a little about the work in the Congo. So we are on the next stage of our trip, and Mombassa gets a little nearer. So does heaven. "Thus far by grace preserved."

From Brother Robert Deans we have the following:

Mambasa, April 23, 1931.

Last Sunday the native who assists Dr. Woodhams in his hospital work (his name is Akunja) publicly stood up and confessed Christ as Lord. He is about the average in intelligence, and we all rejoice that our God in His matchless grace has opened this man's eyes.

This morning at 1:30 we had a rather exciting time. We have been bothered with a leopard for the last three months. He walked the length of the porch one night and left the feathered trail of two chickens. We set traps without success. On the 20th he stole eight chickens leaving us only one. He was not able to eat them all, but he killed them, and also another pet monkey we had received.

On the 22nd we set a native trap made in two compartments, one for the bait (a dog), and one for the intended victim. At one o'clock in the morning the dog began to howl. Bob and I got up and called the natives, who came with their torches. The leopard was in the trap and growling fiercely. The Doctor's gun was brought into play, and a few shots silenced the growling, the natives then opened the trap and bore the brute in triumph to the porch, where the measuring line was placed upon him, showing his length to be 7 ft. 4 in, from tip to tip.
We are forging ahead now with Miss Creighton's house, and hope to have it ready when she arrives. We will be exceedingly glad when our brethren arrive.

We are all well and rejoicing in our Saviour's love.

Kind love to all the saints and many thanks in His blessed Name."

The following interesting letter has just come to hand from our young brother Bill Deans:

Nyangkundi, April 20, 1931.

The school term will close this month, D.V., and the daily routine will be somewhat less strenuous for a month. The Lord graciously answered the prayer for an enrollment of 200, and sent thirty more for good measure. I expect to spend the greater part of this vacation month among the villagers spreading the gospel. There are many natives who can never be reached by simply preaching the Word on a mission station. They are the real villagers, and can only be reached by these safaris we take occasionally. This one I propose now, if it pleases Him, will take me about a week south by foot. That's getting into a district where the children, and even grown-ups, run at the sight of a white man. In fact, unless some one heralds one's coming as a missionary, they run away, as at this time of the year they think the tax is being sought. Every native in the Congo is taxed, the amount being 31% francs or about 90 cent. It is quite difficult for many to meet this, so even a missionary of the Cross is feared as though he came from the government to collect their francs. We had the opportunity of meeting Apollo of the Pigmy forest (as told of in A. B. Lloyd's book by that name, and another by the same author, "More about Apollo," also in "Through Central Africa," by Roome). He had never been to Nyangkundi before, and slipped away for a week to come and visit us. He is a dear old man of about sixty-seven years, with gray hair and beaming countenance. His face shines with the love of Jesus, and ne always wears a smile. That is a treat to see. For over 30 years this gallant defender of the faith has preached the gospel here in Congo, and previous to his coming here held forth about ten years in Uganda, across Lake Albert. We were intensely interested in his recounting of some of the difficulties and instances of opposition and victory which he had experienced, and will pass on one instance of God's far-seeing wisdom that he told of. When Apollo first came with the gospel he was bitterly opposed by Tabaro the chief at Mboga. Tabaro ordered him to leave the Congo. Apollo refused, saying that the Lord had sent him there, and until the Lord commanded him to go he would remain. For that he was stripped and flogged with hide whips. Then thrown into the forest he was left to die. God had willed it otherwise, however, and a Christian woman came to him and nursed him back to health. Then one day he entered the forbidden village, and beat the drum for the Lord's Day service. The chief who had been unaware of Apollo's convalescence heard the drum, and enquired of his followers who was beating the drum, and why. When informed that it was Apollo calling the people to service he would not believe, but went to see for himself. Upon seeing Apollo he fell upon his knees and begged forgiveness, which Apollo freely granted, then led him to Jesus as a hiding-place. The old heathen chief found full and free pardon through the efficacy of our Lord's blood shed for sinners. Since his conversion the chief has been a stalwart Christian and a loyal supporter of Apollo. Apollo's father and mother are both Christians, and he spoke lovingly of them, and how they urged him to remain steadfast when skies seemed darkest. We could scarcely restrain the tears when, having told his colorful history, this gallant negro Christian said, "All my former enemies are now Christians." He deserves a place in your prayers.

We thank the Lord for continued strength to carry on His work and ask your fervent prayers that we may serve Him to His honor and glory. Christian love to you all.

We can rejoice with our brother Searle for the definite manifestation of the Lord's grace shown to them in connection with souls being saved. He writes as follows:

Nyangkundi, May 6th.

We are anxiously awaiting the coming of the dear Wood-hams party, expecting that about this time they may be leaving America. We think the doctor will get quite a surprise when he sees the new hospital brother Deans is building for him. It is better adapted for the work than anything the doctor has had previously. Their goods shipped by the Pacific route have already arrived, and seem to have come through in good condition. Miss Creighton's house is going up too, and should be ready for her when she comes. As I write, we have not yet heard definite news of the Woodhams' departure, date, or route. We expect to await their arrival in Congo before leaving. Our route is not definitely chosen yet, but it may be via South Africa and England. We know the Lord will guide at the time, and thus may it be a matter of His will, as all else.

The Lord's grace has been manifested lately in a further number of people being saved-several each meeting lately, here on the station. Last Sunday 23 were baptized. The number of people coming to live on the station and attend school has increased considerably, and these are being turned to the Lord. It is encouraging too that there are from time to time those who are being converted to God in the out-schools, which are taught by some of our native brethren. Several new out-schools have been opened this year, as several new young men have gone out to teach. Pray for them. May the Lord also raise up others in due time to evangelize. The need is ever so great, but the laborers few. We are setting before our native brethren the need of evangelization work at every opportunity that during their spare time from work their relatives and friends, as well as many others, may be reached by the gospel.

From China we have the following encouraging letters:

Peiping, June 3, 1931.

School will be over at the end of next week, and I expect to leave here, in company with Dr. Lee, whom I mentioned in my last letter, for a village some thirty miles from here to meet those Christians whom I also mentioned. We will go on bicycles.

I have the feeling that I should not settle down on any particular Mission Station, but rather, go from place to place as the Lord should lead. Both Mr. Ruck and Mr. Lee have recommended a young Chinese brother, who is willing to go with me as a traveling partner, and will be my Chinese teacher at the same time. -1 will hire him entirely from a temporal standpoint, but possibly of his own accord he will want to preach, and the fellowship together may be of mutual benefit.

Dr. Lee wants Mr. Ruck and myself to visit his home during the next month. It is about one hundred and fifty miles north-east of here. From there we have been planning to go on to a place called Ro-Ho, and then take a boat and float down the river, calling at various places and preach the gospel. Mr. Kok, a stalwart of the gospel, may meet us there to take the trip with us. Before going to Dr. Lee's home, I may visit our brother Kautto, and go on from there. I may travel by bicycle instead of taking the train to Paitaho, distributing tracts on the way and speaking a word for the Master as the occasion arises. A bicycle is a very useful thing in China, because you are able to travel on the narrow paths that one finds in the country, and then when you come to a river you are able to carry it over.

Last week, a young missionary and myself took a trip with Mr. Ruck to a place called Miao Feng Shan. At this place is a notable temple to which many pilgrims go at this time every year. We rode about twenty miles on our cycles to a place called Pei-An-Ho, distributing tracts all the way. There we stayed all night at an inn. The following morning we rose at 4:30, and started for our mountain climb. We had over eight miles to go before we reached the top of the first mountain, the steepest I have ever climbed. I was exhausted before I reached the top. After descending into a valley, we climbed another mountain. The distance altogether was about thirteen miles. On our way we spoke to several about the Lord, and I had the opportunity to use John 3:16 a good many times. They had not the faintest idea of the gospel, or who Jesus was. We found a place to sleep in a building that belonged to one of the temples. The priest seemed very interested and came into the place where we were staying. We had just been talking about Daniel's three friends going through the fiery furnace when he came in, so Mr. Ruck opened his Bible and read the whole story, and the priest was bent over the Bible all the time Mr. Ruck was reading.

While we visited the temple in which the pilgrims offered incense, along came two young men, who afterwards proved to be students from the Yenching University, which is only a few miles from Peiping. One took his incense, and throwing his cap to his friend, went into the temple. My friend, Mr. Dyxtra, followed him in, and I went after. One of the priests lit the incense, and the young man took it and placed it in a receptacle, and placing his hands together bowed before it several times. When he had finished we spoke to him, and asked if he believed in this sort of thing. He said he believed in it very little, but he was doing it for a friend of his who lived in Tientsin, He seemed to be ashamed, and excused himself, asserting that he was doing it for a friend who sincerely believed in it, but we said, "Not your friend, but you," and his friend standing by emphasized the point by adding "You." His friend was a professing Christian. The young man said he would like to talk, the matter over, and took our address, and said he would come and see us.

I covet the prayers of my brethren, that I may grasp this difficult language, and that I may have wisdom, strength, and courage. Dr. Lee said, when talking about traveling evangelism, I must get a Chinese brain, and I told him that was very difficult.

As I was going down the street two nights ago, I saw a plain wooden cross standing above the heads of a group of people gathered around a preacher. At first I thought it must be a Roman Catholic preacher, so I went over to listen, and found that he was preaching the gospel in simple clear tones. It made my heart rejoice. He was dealing with the sin question, and pointed out that Jesus Christ nailed to the cross was bearing sin in His own body for us. He said that although nailed to the cross, He still had power to destroy the Land of Palestine if He wished. He was a Chinese preacher, and apparently no one was with him.
Now I must close, hoping this finds you well and happy in the Lord. Yours affectionately in Him,

George E. Foggin.

Taitowying, June 2, 1931.

We have been very busy for over a week on the fair grounds, having the tent filled pretty well from 7 o'clock in the morning till about 10 in the evening. There were quite a few of us taking part in the preaching, and so when one got tired another started in, and so we may say we had about 10 hours' preaching one day. Of course the audience was changing. Our seats also afforded a good resting-place for the fair people. We. could accommodate about a hundred at a time, and wish the tent had been five times as large, for those at the fair would, I am sure, have filled it full. Anyway we were ,glad of the opportunity, and I was glad to see many of the same faces every evening, as I was taking part in the meetings at that period of the day when people were sitting quietly and listening, and there was not so much noise outside.

Afterwards I heard many criticisms:some commendatory, and some blaming the natives who helped preach with having followed the foreign devil, but that is just what Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "By honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report, as deceivers and yet true, as unknown and yet well known."

We found that our tent was not sufficiently reinforced, some of the ropes being pulled off in, the heavy wind, and consequently some holes torn in the edge of the tent, but since then we have reinforced it by putting a rope on every seam.

We will be delayed from going out with the tent at present. We have to remove and rebuild a native building-the living-quarters for the compound help-which may take two or three weeks longer. However, since we had the tent on the fair grounds I am happy to say there has been quite a gospel interest among the professing Christians, and so we have been going out almost every evening for open air meetings on the streets or in near-by villages, and a number of them are taking a very active part. Their preaching is not perfect by any means, yet it shows the desire of the heart-to testify a little of what they know-and I believe that is just where every beginning starts. In the Chinese language we say, "From shallow enter deep," Yu chien ru shen.

Our next-door missionary neighbor, Mr. Dewey of Changli, visited us the day before yesterday with his Chinese assistant, as he was winding up the affairs of their station in this town (which, I might add, has never had a resident foreign worker) due to lack of funds. He also stated that they would be closing additional stations next year. During our conversations Mr. Dewey expressed the thought that the Chinese ought to learn to worship with money. My reply was that money was not the most important thing; the first and most important being that they should be really born again, and after that the testimony of not working or doing business on the Lord's Day, which is an acid test in any heathen country of the genuineness of profession. I mentioned to him that it would be much easier to get money from the people, if one were just after money, than to lead them to accept the gift of God through grace without any merit, for as soon as they can give a little money or anything at all they feel that they have some merit, which as you know is a hard mental condition to change when one once gets it fixed. I was glad that his helper-a district superintendent-attended our Bible reading. We had our lesson from 2 Cor. 8:1-15. I especially emphasized verse 4 as to what effect Paul's preaching must have had on those Macedonians, for he says, "They were praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints." I mentioned that now-a-days the conditions are reversed, and the preachers most likely would be found entreating their church-members to give some gifts.

I suppose that by the time this reaches you Dr. Wood-hams and party will be nearing their destination. Trusting this will find you all well and happy in the Lord, with our best Christian regards to all.

Affectionately yours in Christ, Charles and Esther Kautto.

Missionary Work at Home

Our brother Bill Deans mentions in his letter that there are natives who can never be reached by simply preaching the Word at the mission station, and the only way to reach them is by going to them in their villages, and our brother Searle says, "We are setting before our native brethren the need of evangelization work at every opportunity that during their spare time their relatives and friends may be reached by the gospel."

Surely this should remind us of the fact that conditions in this country are much the same as in Africa. People will not come to the halls to hear the gospel, therefore to reach them at all it must be by adopting the methods mentioned by our brethren. After prayerful consideration of the above might we not make special effort this summer, particularly during the vacation time, by endeavoring in tract-distribution and other methods, to lead precious souls to Christ? Time is short. Opportunities will soon be gone, and multitudes will be compelled to say, '"The harvest is past, the summer ended, and we are not saved" (Jer. 8:20).

Christianity

Christianity is a living and divine reality. It is not a set of doctrines, however true; a system of ordinances, however imposing; a number of rules and regulations, however important. Christianity is far more than any or all of these things. It is a living, breathing, speaking, active, powerful reality-something to be seen in the everyday life-something to be felt in the scenes of personal, domestic history, from hour to hour-a something formative and influential-a divine and heavenly power introduced into the scenes and circumstances through which we have to move, as men, women, and children, from Sunday morning till Saturday night. It does hot consist in holding certain views, opinions, and principles, or in going to this place of worship or that.

Christianity is the life of Christ communicated to the believer-dwelling in him-and flowing out from him, in the ten thousand little details which go to make up our daily practical life. It has nothing ascetic, monastic, or sanctimonious about it. It is genial, cordial, lightsome, pure, elevated, holy, heavenly, divine. Such is the Christianity of the New Testament. It is Christ dwelling in the believer, and reproduced, by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the believer's daily practical career. This is Christianity-nothing else, nothing less, nothing different. -C. H. M.