AFRICA

The following extract from a letter written by a missionary in the Belgian Congo will show how the state of unrest which characterizes the whole world has also penetrated to the so-called "heathen lands:"

The spirit of unrest which is characteristic of the world today has penetrated to the dark recesses of the forest. The neighboring tribe of Dengese has been in revolt for some time. The native warriors are proving a difficult problem for the Belgian military forces. Their
country is very extensive, and for the main part forest, so that warfare with them is no simple matter. Their weapons are chiefly bows and arrows, but as they hide behind the trees of the forests and shoot their arrows silently, they can do considerable damage, especially as these arrows are poisoned. They also plant sharp pointed sticks in the paths along which the white men and their retinues must pass. Those sticks are poisoned so that a scratch on the foot or leg with one of them generally proves fatal. If the head fetish men could be arrested there would be an end to all the trouble, for it is they who are inciting the people to oppose and withstand the Government. I came across one fetish man a little while ago whose father was one of the leaders. The administrator had arrested him, and was attempting; to obtain information from him as to the movements and whereabouts of his father. He was a man of about forty years of age, and his father was evidently one of the oldest fetish men of the tribe. He refused to give any information, and when I saw him was in a dying condition, having stabbed himself in order to escape further interrogation.

We hope some day, if the Lord tarry, to carry the Gospel into the Dengese country. It covers a large area bordering on five or six different territories. The nearest point of contact with Loto is about ten miles away. All the frontiers are well guarded by soldiers and every effort is being made to surround and centralize the rebels. We shall all be glad when they have been persuaded to submit to the powers that be. They prefer their freedom and cling to their old customs, but as those customs involve cannibal feasts and poison ordeals they could not be allowed to continue.

NYANGKUNDI-1925-1932

"He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him"-Ps. 126:6.

With the sailing of our brother Searle and family from Africa on April 16, 1932, and the continued illness of our brother Bill Deans, the station at Nyangkundi has been left in charge of the native brethren. It is surely a cause for rejoicing and thanksgiving to our God that in the place where our brethren started their labors just under seven years ago there is now a flourishing native assembly, which is not only able to care for the station, but also continue a testimony in the preaching of the Gospel and having fellowship one with the other in the things of the Lord. As a matter of interest we give below brief extracts from letters written since the arrival on the station in 1925 to the present time, showing how the work of the Lord has prospered in that place.

December, 1925. Brother Searle writes:You will be interested to hear that building operations have already commenced. We are laying the foundations, and bricks are being made at the rate of 1200 to 1400 per day.

We are praying that the Lord will open up a girls' and women's work here. As yet there are none presenting themselves, and it may take a little time before they understand and start coming. If only a few would come others may be expected to follow. Village work will come as we know the language better, though some has already been done. We long with you for the salvation of these people, and earnestly desire the prayers of all.

April, 1927. We are putting in long hours, and have the satisfaction of seeing the work grow, and evidence of reality and interest and some response amongst the natives. We shall have put up three large permanent houses within two years of our arrival, and thank the Lord who has enabled us in spite of many obstacles.

(Shortly after this reports came to hand of the first converts openly confessing the Lord.)

April, 1928. We have been much rejoiced to have five natives ask for baptism. We are planning, D. V., for a baptismal service at the end of the week. The truth of this was taught them in classes for Christians during the past few months, and we believe that these have asked to be baptized as a result of exercise. We trust that this is the earnest of what the Lord may be doing among these people.

August, 1928. Last Lord's Day it was our pleasure to baptize eight natives in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This was a very happy occasion for us all, and we are thankful to the Lord for these who shall be the Lord's throughout the eternal day.

December, 1928. The Lord is working here, as also is Satan. There have been a number lately who have confessed Christ, several today in the meeting. "Blessed be the Lord who alone doeth wondrous things.

April, 1929. There have been increasing interest and attendance at our recent meetings, besides several have confessed the Lord. We are seeking to bring believers into the full knowledge of the Lord's mind regarding gathering and ministry, also the relationship of Christ and His Church.

May the Lord lead them on, and reveal His mind to them and to us.

July, 1929. The Lord's table we have had at Nyangkundi for some time with the natives, and it has been a happy occasion with a number gathering, including three native sisters.

March, 1931. Four young men and their wives, with one exception, have lately gone out into the Lord's work preaching the gospel and teaching in out-stations. Besides these there are several others similarly employed and faithful, and from time to time there are those being brought to the Lord by their word. We thank God for laying the work on their hearts and for giving them grace to go and do it.

December, 1931. We now have over 300 enrolled in the school, 100 of whom are women and girls. Interest grows fast, and we only pray that His hand, His power, and His glory may be completely manifest. That, and that only.

January, 1932. The work of the Holy Spirit is in evidence here in the hearts of the people on the station. Not a few are confessing Christ as their Saviour lately, some twenty persons confessed Him at a recent gospel service, some previously who had confessed Him await baptism, but we desire to wait, "not laying hands suddenly on any man." We seek your prayers that the Lord will greatly edify and establish His saints here, and to this end may He raise up among them gifts whereby to strengthen them in the Lord.

February, 1932. We expect to leave for England in April or May. In the meantime we are seeking to assist our native brethren in the taking over of the responsibility as to the local-assembly meetings and school, and running the station generally until we come back, if the Lord so will.

Surely we can say, "This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes."

INDIAN WORK

From Valentine, Arizona, our brother Anderson writes as follows:

Dear brother:-Many thanks for the ministry just received. We do appreciate the fellowship of our brethren in this work. In that Day we shall all share alike, and what rejoicing there will be to have some crowns to cast at His feet!

We hope to have some extra meetings next month and have asked to have some of the Mojave Christians to come up and spend a week with us. It helps us to have Christians from other tribes at this time.