AFRICA

Miss Dejonge, writing from Nairobi, Kenya Colony, gives the following account of the trip from London to Africa:

Since last writing you we have made the trip from London to the African continent, although not yet to our journey's end. We stopped at Tangiers, Marseilles, Port Said, Port Sudan, Aden, and last Friday reached Mombasa, East Africa.

We could_ not make connections for the boat across Lake Albert until next week Monday's train from Nairobi, so Miss Creighton and I came as far as Nairobi on Sunday evening's train, and have a full week to wait here. The Woodhams had to wait for their car until afternoon on Monday and have not yet (Thursday, p.m.) come in to Nairobi.

We passed through the game reserve on Monday morning and saw vast herds of various species of gazelle, hartebeests, wildebeests, ostrich, and a couple of giraffe. Not far from Nairobi we ran into the locusts-a couple of miles of them, so thick in places as to hide the sunlight. They are a veritable plague here. One farmer had his farm completely eaten for eight successive plantings in the past few years. This year they are worse than ever before, having multiplied so rapidly; the farmers are quite disheartened.

We have been spending our mornings in the study of the language, and Miss Creighton is doing well in it. We shall be glad to reach Mambasa, in the Congo, and settle down to work once more. Word was awaiting us from the Deans, at Mombasa, East Africa, and all are looking forward to our return. Baby Robert was doing very nicely on the sea voyage, and we pray that the trip overland will not be too much for him. We have experienced the good hand of the Lord over us all along the way, in answer to the many prayers of those in the homeland.

From our brother Robert Deans:

Mambasa, Congo Beige, July 3, 1931. You will no doubt think I have been long in acknowledging yours of April 20th, the reason however is that three large bridges were broken, making it impossible to get to the Post Office, 72 miles away.

Large trees, 20 inches in diameter, placed parallel, with planks on top, serve as good bridges for the time being. The moment they are laid down, however, little insects called "borers" start their destructive work, and when a heavy rain comes along the destruction is complete. These bridges were only one year old, nothing therefore will serve in a permanent way but steel bridges, which will take a few years before that becomes a reality.

Mr. Searle and I again tried to get a hearing with the Bangwanas last month, but although we were not allowed on the porch, a place where visitors are generally invited because of the shade from the sun, the chief told some to bring chairs and we were allowed to sit in the open while the gospel of the grace of God was spoken to a "Mars Hill" attitude company; "We will hear you again of this matter." These people seem to be the most unconcerned about eternal things I have ever witnessed-they will not believe that Jesus is the Son of God-they believe there was such a person as Jesus who was a prophet, but He never died, say they, and when you speak of the resurrection the "Mars Hill" attitude is again prominent, "some mock." Pray, beloved brethren, that even here we may have that happy saying placed to their account, "Howbeit certain men clave unto him and believed… and a woman… and others with them." How patient is our God, and "How vast, how full, how free" His mercy.

There has been quite a shortage of food among the natives, which they say comes every ten years. Their cry "Mie iko njara suna," meaning "I am very hungry" is quite common these days, and one has to "help in every time of need."

The work in the out schools (native teachers) is showing to good advantage and I am glad to say that 15 boys from 10 to 16 or 17 years have taken their stand for Christ. These are the Walesi tribes-who still have cannibals amongst them.

It is true, dear brethren, that we do not know how far the truth has "sunk in;" "God knoweth the hearts," but being told to preach the Word and because that Word says "Whosoever believeth in Him shall be saved," we ask your earnest prayers that those young lives shall make a marked effect on their fellow tribesmen.

Bill, no doubt, told you about our safari to Apollo. When one realizes he was just a boy when brought to Christ by McKay of Uganda, one cannot but be amazed at the wonderful work this beloved brother has done for the Lord Jesus. We therefore take courage believing that our dear Lord can even in wicked Congoland raise up consecrated lives to herald out the tidings of the Cross. Pray, beloved brethren, to this end.

We are all quite tired these days, as you may imagine, cleaning up for the coming of our brethren. Oh that all saints, both at home and abroad, would have a general cleaning up spiritually, so that when our Beloved One shall call us to Himself we would with joy be ready for that coming.

Bill is going ahead with his work at Nyangkundi and Bob is at A.I.M. Mission, brushing up on his studies, as they have a High School course there for white boys and girls. Mrs. Deans and Ella are with me here. They are feeling well, for which we have every reason to rejoice and thank our gracious Lord.

SOUTH AMERICA-Brother Montllau writes:

Argentine, July 10, 1931.

Since we last wrote you, the Lord has been opening doors of testimony in some sections nearby, and we had also the privilege to preach the Word in several halls and private residences in Buenos Aires, Alsina, Villa Progreso, Villa Porvenir, Puente Alsina, Martinez de Hoz, Pompeyo, Villa Argerich, Villa Obrera, Lanus Este, Gerli, etc., besides some especial and the regular meetings in our hall. A few have confessed the Lord as their Saviour, and are waiting to be baptized at the end of September or beginning of October, when the winter will be over. Although we had a very early and cold winter, so far it has been very dry, which has been a help in our long walks to certain sections, where the streets are in bad condition.

In the sections above named, outside of Buenos Aires, there are small groups of believers, who are glad when we visit them. Since May we have been holding a united monthly meeting for prayer, testimony, praise and edification, which we find very helpful, and many believers are responding. Some have been encouraged to testify of their faith in our Lord for the first time. In the last united meeting, where about 300 were present, we spoke of the necessity of holding these meetings twice a month, and to help one another in the weekly prayer meetings as far as possible. We believe this interest in prayer is from the Lord, and we trust it will be for His glory and blessing to His people, while we wait for that glorious meeting with Himself and all His saints.

RUSSIA

The following is an extract from a letter of a brother who is in touch with conditions in Russia:

Aug. 19, 1931.

Conditions in Russia do not improve. We pray that the Lord may sustain His people and not allow the testimony to be extinguished. We are still able to reach some with help.

CHINA-Our brother Kautto writes:

Taitowing, Aug. 6, 1931.

Although this is supposed to be and is a heathen country, yet there is a considerable knowledge of the profitableness of the missions to them, and even most of the converts rather think that they should get something instead of giving when they become Christians. And yet if there were some who really would step out on faith undoubtedly the Lord would support in a Scriptural way. Let us hope and pray that the day will arise when the natives will put their shoulders to the wheel and carry on the work. There are some places in China where the natives are doing this, but they often find themselves unable to continue without the financial assistance of the foreigner. I do not know of any places where the natives have started breaking of bread of themselves, though have heard about their being some. Mr. Ruck mentioned 25 different places, most of them in southwest China, but I have never come in contact with any of them, having never been out^de of this province.

We have had the tent up now just a month, first in a nearby village where I had been only a few times preaching on the street. Ten days ago I moved the tent to another village farther north and still on the main cart road to Shuang Shan tze. In both places we have had the tent full for all meetings-even the afternoon meetings found a crowded tent, but these had to be- discontinued after the first week on account of the heat.

It was at the close of this first week that I made a trip to the cut-stations, leaving the tent work with the native evangelist. I stayed a couple of days at Shuang Shan tze and went on up to Mutouteng where on the 19th of July there were eight men who confessed the Lord in baptism-the "first fruits" of five years' labor in that place.
Returning from Mutouteng on Monday morning I met the postman, who handed me a letter which announced that Brothers Ruck and Foggin from Peiping had come to visit us over the week-end, so without stopping longer at Shuang Shan tze than to feed my mule and myself I finished the trip home, making 56 miles in one day, the most I have ever attempted on mule-back.

Brother Ruck preached four evenings in the tent and was very much pleased with the tent method, and said it would be very nice if I would take the tent to Peiping for meetings in and around there. He himself had been skeptical heretofore as to such an undertaking. I accompanied them to Peitaiho Beach where we heard Dr. Jaffrey at the Conference there. They returned to Peiping the next day.

We had some more seats made for the tent so we can seat 112 now, but we find every evening that there are many standing outside. I don't know but that I may have to enlarge the tent some day, which is easy to do as the top is laced in two sections.

After a few days we expect to move the tent to another village a little farther north, not that we do not still have a crowd but we want to reach other villages also, and as Brother Ironside once said, it is better to leave the people a little hungry than to over-feed them. When we move we will have to start living in the tent ourselves. So far we could ride out and back every evening, but it takes an hour to make the five miles going out, and longer returning in the dark.

Affectionately yours in Christ,

Charles and Esther Kautto.

From a letter of our brother Foggin we extract the following:

Brother Kautto spoke to me about taking over one of the mission stations. I would gladly do so if I felt that it was the Lord's will, but up till the present I have no definite leading in the matter, and I must wait for marching orders. I can assure you that it has been a matter of much prayer. Now I must close with love to all the saints, hoping this finds you well and happy in the Lord. Yours Affectionately in Our Lord Jesus,

George E. Foggin.

Elizabeth Missionary Meeting

In the Lord's mercy the first prayer meeting of the Fall was held in Elizabeth on Monday evening, August 31, where a goodly number gathered for tea, preceding the prayer meeting in which we realized the Lord's presence, and our hearts were drawn out for the needs of our brethren who have gone from us to carry the precious Gospel of His Grace to needy hearts.

Special mention was made of the need for the return of our brother Searles and family, who are much on our hearts at this time as they have now been six years on the field and should be returning home for the conservation of their health.

The Conditions Necessary for Revival
Revivals in the history of the church have only come when and where the people of God have separated themselves unreservedly and whole-heartedly to God, with confession of sin and humility of mind, to call upon Him mightily in prayer, beseeching Him to revive His work in their midst.-Selected.