THE MOST DESTITUTE FIELD IN THE WORLD.
By R. V. Bingham
[R. V. Bingham, in Christian Worker.] THE consideration of a few facts will prove that the Soudan is the darkest and most destitute field in the world. From east to west you can journey for six months through thickly populated regions and never meet a soul that knows the name of Jesus. A line could be drawn around the Soudan enclosing an area of a million and a quarter square miles and sixty to ninety million precious souls, and yet find that inside the line there is and scarcely any that have so much as heard of Jesus Christ. Mr. Walter Gowans, who laid down his life in an attempt to reach these people, used to say, “If you can tell me of a darker place in all the world than this, then I will go there.” On the borders of this dark region three little bands of missionaries, not exceeding ten in all, are seeking to enter with the Gospel. But what is one man to every six to nine million people? If he could reach on an average one dark soul every minute for ten hours a day and seven days in the week, it would take him from thirty to forty years before he could reach his allotted number. And by that time a new and increased generation would confront the missionary. In the Central Soudan the Africa Industrial Mission is sending forth workers. A party of five, three of whom have been studying the language in North Africa, are about to leave for this needy field. Prayer is asked for this pioneer band.