THREE FANG BOYS.After several years in the school; also among the first Christians.
THREE FANG BOYS.After several years in the school; also among the first Christians.
THREE FANG BOYS.
After several years in the school; also among the first Christians.
On the occasion of this second communion service I spent the preceding Saturday in going to Ayol and severalother widely separated towns with theDorothy, gathering the people for the service. Early Sunday morning I pulled into Makwena with sixty people in the launch, on top of it, and in a big canoe behind. They were singing hymns, and singing them beautifully, for there were enough of my schoolboys there to take the parts. Between the hymns they occupied the time with the praises ofDorothy, the like of which, for comfort and for speed, they had never dreamed of. Upon our arrival a large number of people came down to welcome their fellow Christians. They wore more clothing than the whole town had formerly possessed. These Christians were of various tribes who in former times had been continually at war with each other. And I could imagine such a company coming together and making the little river run red like crimson with each other’s blood. But now they were all saluting each other as, “Brother” and “Sister”; and there was such hand-shaking and social palaver that it scarcely seemed possible there could be so much happiness in that land of cruelty and tears. And as I reflected that these were but the first-fruits of a great harvest, all the labour, the trials, the perils, the sickness of the years that had passed seemed as nothing.
Among those who were baptized that day I distinctly recall a certain old woman who had probably lived long enough to have experienced all the evils and the suffering of heathenism. Her face was almost beautiful with the light of joy that shone in her eyes. Her paltry garment was so scrappy and so scanty that I wondered whether there was enough of it to meet the requirements of propriety. But when she came into the service she was dressed in a pure white robe that came up to her shoulders and reached to her feet, and was held with a black sash.
I baptized thirty-seven persons and received severalwhom I had already baptized at Baraka, making in all fifty-five members in the Ayol church at the end of that year; and besides there were nearly two hundred catechumens. All those whom I baptized had been on probation and under instruction for two years or more. It was a long service, but the time passed quickly for us all, and more so because we sang many hymns. At length we closed the service by repeating all together the Lord’s Prayer:
“Tate wa a n’ eyô, e jui die e boñ éki. Ayoñ die nzak. Mam w’ a nyege, be boñe mo e si ene, ane b’ a be eyô. Vage bie biji bi a kôge bie emu. Zamege bie mam abé bi a bo, ane bi a zam abé bôt b’ a bo bie. Ke lète bie nzèn mekoñ. Kamege ne bie môt a n’ a bé. Togo na, ô ne y’ ayoñ, ye ki, y’ éwôge, mbè mbè, Amen.”
A few mouths later I held a communion service in one of the up-river towns, in which were gathered all the Christians from the upper towns. There I baptized sixty-five persons, making in all one hundred and twenty members in the Ayol Church. And, besides, there were nearly three hundred catechumens.
When I reflect on the kind of men and women that these Christians are, and consider the savages they might have been; when I realize the surroundings of darkest ignorance, revolting degradation and horrible cruelty in the midst of which they walk in ways of righteousness and truth; when I think how rough that way is and how very dark the night of Africa, my heart goes out to them all in eager sympathy and solicitude.
May the “kindly light” of God’s love, seen in the face of His Son, shine more and more upon their path, and lead them on “o’er crag and torrent till the night be gone.”
THE END
Printed in the United States of America
LIGHT ON THE GREAT WAR
JAMES A. MACDONALD, LL.D.Editor Toronto Globe
The North American Idea
The Cole Lectures for 1917. 12mo, cloth, net $1.25.
The famous Canadian editor enjoys an established and justly-earned reputation. In trenchant and stirring phrase Dr. McDonald discusses the growth and development of that spirit of liberty, just government, and freedom of individual action, in the light of its relation to the Great World War.
EDWARD LEIGH PELL, D.D.Author of “Troublesome Religious Questions”
What Did Jesus Really Teach About War?
12mo, cloth, net $1.00.
Unquestionably war is a matter of conscience. But in Dr. Pell’s opinion what America is suffering from just now is not a troubled conscience so much as an untroubled conscience. That is why this book does not stop with clearing up troublesome questions.
ARTHUR J. BROWN, D.D.Author of “Unity and Missions,” “The Foreign Missionary,” etc.
Russia in Transformation
12mo, cloth, net $1.00.
Years may pass before New Russia will settle down to stability of life and administration. Meanwhile we may be helped to understand the situation and have a deeper sympathy with Russian brethren, if we study the conditions leading up to the Revolution and mind ourselves of fundamental characteristics which will undoubtedly affect New Russia regardless of the immediate outcome. The book is most timely.
R. A. TORREY, D.D.Supt. Los Angeles Bible Institute
The Voice of God in the Present Hour
12mo, cloth, net $1.25.
A new collection of sermons by the famous pastor-evangelist. They contain stirring gospel appeals and also special messages or enheartenment for those who find themselves perplexed and bewildered by the war conditions existing in this and other lands.
JAMES M. GRAY, D.D.Dean of the Moody Bible Institute, Chicago
Prophecy and the Lord’s Return
12mo, cloth, net 75c.
What is the purpose of God in connection with the present international cataclysm. Does prophecy deal with the world to-day. The author, Dean of the Moody Bible Institute, of Chicago, is well-known as a Bible student and expositor, whose writings find appreciation throughout the Christian world. Dr. Grey’s chapters have unusual interest at this time.
MISSIONS
ANDREW F. HENSEY, D.D.Of the Congo Mission
A Master-Builder on the Congo
A Memorial to the Service and Devotion of Robert Ray Eldred and Lillian Byers Eldred. Illustrated, 12mo, cloth, net 75c.
A graphic and spirited record of the labors of those devoted missionaries to the Congo, Robert Ray Eldred and his wife. Mr. Hensey displays his historical instinct, and has been enabled to produce a book calculated to both find and retain a prominent place in contemporary missionary literature, not only as the fascinating story of selfish and untiring service, but as an informative work of reference concerning that part of the Dark Continent in which his subjects lived and labored.
GERTRUDE R. HANCE
The Zulu Yesterday and To-Day
Twenty-five Years in South Africa. Introduction by Edgar L. Vincent. Illustrated, cloth, net $1.25.
The author knows the Land of the Zulus, as it was, as itisto-day, and what she knows she tells in a charming frank and interesting fashion. Due credit is given in this volume to civilization (considered merely as such) for the wonderful advance made in late years in the condition of the native tribesman of South Africa; yet there is nowhere any doubt in the mind of its author as to the Gospel of Christ having been the chief, and primal cause of his uplifting.
SAMUEL GRAHAM WILSON, D. D.Thirty-two Years Resident in Persia
Modern Movements Among Moslems
12mo, cloth, net, $1.50.
“Not often does there appear a more important work in a special department than this of Dr. Wilson. Dr. Wilson’s thirty-two years of residence in Persia and his earlier studies in Bahaism have prepared him for authoritative speaking here. It constitutes an excellent argument against those who think of missionaries in petty terms. Here is the book of statesmanlike thinking.”—The Continent.
S. M. ZWEMER, D.D., F.R.G.S.
The Disintegration of Islam
Illustrated. 12mo, cloth, net $1.25.
Dr. Zwemer traces the collapse of Islam as a political power in Europe, Asia and Africa, as well as the inevitable effect the impact of Western civilization has had, and is still having, on the countries over which it still holds sway. All this tends to the final disintegration and overthrow of Mohammedanism in fulfilment of a Divine plan of preparedness for the evangelization of Moslem lands.
FOREIGN MISSIONS
ARTHUR J. BROWN, D.D.Author of “The Foreign Missionary” etc.
Unity and Missions
Can a Divided Church Save the World? 12mo, cloth, net $1.50.
An able treatise, reflecting the thorough knowledge and broad catholicity of its author. Dr. Brown writes of things he knows, and presents a lucidly written, often passionate appeal for unity in missionary endeavor. There can be little doubt that this discussion will make a valuable addition to contemporary missionary literature.
JESSE PAGE
Judson, the Hero of Burma
The Stirring Life Story of the First Missionary to the Burmese told for Boys and Girls. Illustrated, 8vo, cloth, net $1.00.
“In this volume Mr. Page tells for boys and girls the stirring life story of the first missionary to the Burmese. Mr. Page’s story is told in a way that will hold the interest of the reader to the very end. There is not a dull page in the whole book. It stirs the imagination and moves the heart.”—Life of Faith.
ALICE M. PENNELL
A Hero of the Afghan Frontier
The Splendid Life Story of T. L. Pennell, M.D., B.Sc., F.R.C.S. Retold for Boys and Girls. Illustrated, 8vo, cloth, net $1.00.
“Of the many noble men who have helped to make the name of Britain honored in North Western India, Dr. Pennell, of Bannu, holds a foremost place. As a medical missionary among the wild border tribes, his fearless courage, his sympathy, his self-sacrificing devotion, gradually won their hearts.”—Educational News.
REV. W. PAKENHAM WALSH
Early Heroes of the Mission Field
New Edition.With Frontispiece. Cloth, net 50c.
“Dr. Walsh has not only carefully studied the records of Christian life preserved by the best Church historians, but he has also reproduced in a form at once reliable, instructive, and interesting, the diverse conditions and heroic endeavors for the furtherance of the kingdom of God that characterized different eras.”—Christian.
REV. W. PAKENHAM WALSH
Modern Heroes of the Mission Field
New Edition.With Frontispiece. Cloth, net 50c.
Continuing his sketches of Missionary Heroes, the author has chosen typical as well as representative pioneers of the nineteenth century such as: Henry Martyn, William Carey, Adoniram Judson, Robert Morrison, Samuel Marsden, John Williams, William Johnson, John Hunt, Allen Gardiner, Alexander Duff, David Livingstone, Bishop Patteson.
TRAVEL AND DESCRIPTION
S. HALL YOUNG, D.D.
Alaska Days with John Muir
Illustrated, 12mo, cloth, net $1.00.
Men who knew John Muir, the explorer and naturalist, counted that privilege as among the best life had to offer. The author not only knew him but accompanied him on his journeys and exploration trips through the frozen country of Alaska. The book gives a graphic picture of this life, which is full of thrills which a writer of fiction might well envy.
FRANCIS E. CLARK, D.D.
The Continent of Opportunity
The South American Republics—Their History, Their Resources, Their Outlook.New and Revised Edition.Profusely Illustrated. 12mo, cloth, net $1.50.
A new edition of Dr. Clark’s vivid account of his South American journey, which, in view of the present interest in these tropics will meet an increased demand.
SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, F.R.G.S.Author of “Arabia,” etc.
Childhood in the Moslem World
Illustrated, 8vo, cloth, net $2.00.
The author of “Arabia, the Cradle of Islam,” has written a plea for Mohammedan childhood. The illustrations, made from a remarkable collection of photographs, are profuse and of splendid quality. The claims of millions of children living and dying under the blighting influence of Islam are set forth with graphic fidelity. Both in text and illustrations, Dr. Zwemer’s new book covers much ground hitherto lying untouched in Mohammedan literature.
HERBERT PITTS
Children of Wild Australia
Childrens’ Missionary Series.12mo, cloth, Illustrated, colors, net 60c.
A new volume of the familiar Childrens’ Missionary Series. It deals with the uncivilized portion of Australia, and like the other volumes in the Series, it is written by one who knows how to tell a story that will both entertain and instruct children.
“THE STRANGER WITHIN OUR GATES”
EDWARD A. STEINERAuthor of “On the Trail of the Immigrant”
Introducing the American Spirit
12mo, cloth, net $1.00.
A series of pilgrimages undertaken by an educated European and the author, in search of the real American Spirit. Professor Steiner presents an able analysis of what he conceives that spirit to be and how it finds manifestation in aspiration and ideal, and of how it is revealed and expressed in its attitude to certain pressing national and international problems.