CHINA

In the Lord's mercy our brother and sister Kautto were well and preserved from harm when they wrote at the end of January. As will be seen from their letter which follows, they are very close to the scene of hostilities and should be much on our hearts and in our prayers.

Taitowying, Jan. 25, 1933.

We heartily thank you for your sympathy in our trial of faith, "being much more precious than of gold that perisheth," for which we can thank our heavenly Father; also "knowing that the trying of your faith worketh patience," and "that all things work together for good to them that love God." I have been thinking lately of the good there is in suffering, and I found three prominent answers in the Scripture.

1. Making one humble before the Lord in seeing one's own nothingness and God's grace and mercy (Job 42:5, 6; Jas. 5:11). 2. It may be for someone else's good, since we are able to comfort another with the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God (2 Cor. 1:4). It may be suffering for Christ's Body's sake, which is the Church, as Paul did when writing his letters from the prison in Rome (Col. 1:24), or as John, an exile in the isle of Patmos in order that we might have the wonderful book of Revelation. Four years ago when in Finland, I was able to obtain C. H. M.'s Notes on Genesis, Exodus and Leviticus in Finnish. These were translated by a man who had been a sailor, was converted in England, loved the Lord, came to Finland (his native country) , and preached the gospel of God's grace there to lost sinners, but as he was not an ordained preacher he was put into jail for three years, and while there translated these volumes of C. H. M.'s Notes into Finnish. It is only too bad he was not there for five or six years, to have time to translate them all.3. For our eternal good, as Paul shows its working in 2 Cor. 4:17.

Our little David, though he left us with aching hearts, nevertheless has drawn our hearts to wait for the Lord's coming more and more. Perhaps it is not right that we should think so much of him; but every time we do, our longing gets greater to see Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.

We had happy times at our out-stations for nearly two months. At Shuang-Shantze four of the soldiers confessed the Lord. Two army doctors who became much interested both bought Bibles, and when we were at Mutowteng and they went through that place toward the North, they sought us out and stayed with us until nearly midnight, and we had a good time over the Word. At Mutowteng the first ten days' meetings were well attended, but then the soldiers began to go toward the North and usually stayed only overnight, being billeted in different homes, 8 men to a brick bed (K'ang), about 6 x 9 feet. Of course that was the bed where the home-folks usually slept, and if there were more than one bed so many more soldiers were sent to fill up the rooms. Then their food also had to be provided for them. The people have to look after their things night and day when the soldiers are around, for they steal everything they can put their hands on, so no one could come to the meetings when the soldiers were in the village.

No doubt there is much poverty now in the U.S., but one can see so much of it in China, especially in this time of war, that it makes one almost sick. The people are so taken up with the necessities of everyday life that the things hereafter do not bother them much.

We returned home from the out-stations just two weeks ago, but as it is the last part of the last moon of the Chinese year (tomorrow being the first day of the New Year), there has been much gospel work done among them. After the New Year, if the war does not hinder, we are expecting to be able to start the gospel meetings again. The Lord has been very gracious to us, providing all things needful according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

We do not know what turn the war is going to take. We are only about 35 miles by the nearest road from Shanhaikwan, where they have been fighting lately; but we believe God is able and willing to protect us from all danger and harm.

Trusting this will find you all well and happy in the Lord, with our warmest Christian greetings to all, Yours affectionately in Christ,

Charles and Esther Kautto.

From another missionary we learn more of the serious condition in that part of China.

Hada, Manchuria, 7th Jan., 1933.

In these parts these are days of strife, turmoil and lawlessness. We have not been able to itinerate about as much as we should have liked, because of the banditry so rampant in every direction. Jehol District, in which we are working, appears to be the bone of contention between Manchuria(under Japanese influence) and China proper, and trenches are being dug all round the town to resist any further encroachment. We hear trouble has already broken out at the Coast which is likely to affect the whole of the district. We are, however, being kept in perfect peace.

As far as the work is concerned, we are being greatly encouraged by the numbers coming along to hear the gospel, and the two halls in the city are open daily for the telling out of the Message of Life. The work has been much extended through the renting of a shop situated right in the business quarter, and already there are a number of enquirers as a result of this fresh effort. We get a full hall on Lord's Day for the gospel. The Police Superintendent and his fourth wife come regularly, and we believe a real work is going on in their souls. A number from the Secretarial Department also attend each time. Seven were baptized last September and seem to be growing in grace and in the knowledge of God.

We have just concluded a series of meetings for believers who came along morning and evening for the study of the Word. Several came in from some villages forty miles to the East, and it was nice to see their appetite for the things of God. Quite a few of the enquirers from the country are seeking baptism.

Dispensary three times a week keeps us busy, but it is a means to an end and the breaking down of prejudices. Homes are thereby opened for the preaching of the gospel, and when we itinerate we are often accorded a welcome from villagers because of one or two of their number having received treatment in the months that are past. Robbers with gunshot wounds occasionally come in and so hear the gospel.

With our united love in the Lord and seeking a continuance of your prayers for us in these troublous times, Yours in the fellowship of the gospel,

A. E. Trevor Oliver.

ARGENTINE

A brief extract from a missionary letter tells of the unrest prevailing.

Things in this land are very unsettled at present. Owing to the recent attempted revolution we are still under martial law. In fact all these South American Republics seem to be taking their turn at revolution. When one party gets into power they exile or imprison the leaders of the other party, and at the next outbreak they take double vengeance on the other side when they are turned out. It is creating an awful spirit of hatred, and results in thinking nothing of life. Although there is no capital punishment they know how to remove those they wish to, either by apparent accident or supposed resistance to the authorities. In fact it is getting much the same in all nations. They are like the troubled seas, just waiting for a super-man to rise. But, praise God, we look for the Saviour. May the Lord keep our hearts in tune with Himself till that moment.

Yours in His love and service,

Thomas E. Stacey.

On Furlough

Our brother Gordon Searle has been visiting the meetings in the Central and Eastern parts of the country, his wife and children meanwhile remaining with Mrs. Searle's parents at Hickman, Neb.

It has stirred our hearts to learn of what God has done, and is doing, in and around the three stations of Nyangkunde, Mambassa and Lolwa, through those who have gone from our midst and the native brethren who have been brought to Christ.

Our brother and his family hope to be returning to Africa by the early Summer, should the Lord enable. Fellowship with the expense of their return may be sent to the Missionary Fund or to our brother, c|o this address. How blessed is the privilege of having a part in the preaching of the gospel in "all the world!"