Just as the unusually hot weather of the past summer was drawing to a close, it was announced that the property secured by the mission last spring in the city of Chioh-be had been put in repair, and the building was in readiness for dedication. Accordingly a four days' meeting was appointed to be held in the new chapel, when a special effort would be made to reach the heathen population, of both the higher and the lower classes. The new chapel was dedicated on Sabbath, September 11, and meetings adapted especially for the heathen were held during the next four days.
Photo by J. C. Rogers
VILLAGE NEAR KONGO BORDER
These meetings were well attended, especially the evening services. The chapel, which will accommodate two hundred persons, was crowded to the limit, and the people listened with intense interest. Toward the close of the effort cards were passed out, asking for the names and addresses of those wishing to become members of the regular Bible class which would be conducted after the close of the public meetings. Forty-six names were passed in, and others have joined since, until nearly eighty names are enrolled as members of the Bible class.
Among those who have attended the Bible classes are two persons whose characters might be called in question when we consider the business in which they were engaged. The one is a man whose business was to collect the governmental revenue from the brothels, and the other is a woman who has been buying young girls and renting them out for immoral purposes. The revenue collector attended the meetings faithfully, and afterward the Bible classes. He became intensely interested in the gospel, and gives evidence of becoming a Christian. As the woman listened to the preaching of the word, and continued the study of the Bible, a new life has sprung up in her soul, and she sees the wonderful truth of God and recognizes the error of her ways. She has declared that the business in which she has been engaged must cease, and she purposes henceforth to live a different life. In speaking of this matter, the evangelist said that he was forcefully reminded of the words of Jesus: "Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you."
During this series of meetings the same plan was followed in regard to the women as at other times. Mrs. Hankins and Mrs. Anderson were present, and held several meetings for both Christian and heathen women. At the close of one of the meetings, one poor woman said with tears in her eyes, "It is certainly very much better to come and worship the Lord than to remain in the heathen worship."
