p. 11 | Untitled article by Herman Harris

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 30, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 38.

FROM NORTHERN AFRICA.

By Herman Harris

THE Central Soudan Mission, headquarters in London, calls attention to the open door into this long-closed country. They are much in need of financial aid to take advantage of this opportunity to preach Christ where he has not been known. Mr. Herman Harris, the director of the mission, is at present in Gabes, Tunis, Africa, from whence he writes as follows:

“We have a hall for Gospel meetings, with good shop front on the main road. Over the entrance we have written in large Arabic characters the words, ‘House of the Gospel of Jesus, the Messiah, the Crucified;’ and on the side wall in French is written, ‘Maison de l’Évangile.’

“In the windows we display Scriptures, tracts, and text-cards in several languages, and many people come inside to read more, and to hear the Gospel; to some we give Scriptures and tracts. Many of the natives, however, can not read, and even those who can, do not easily understand the standard version of the Arabic Bible, which is in high-class Syriac Arabic, well suited to the native Christians of Syria and Asia Minor, but not adapted to the Moslems of North Africa. We long to have a revised version of at least one Gospel in simpler language suited to the people of this province.

“Our work may be well described under two distinct headings: First, the French or European work. This consists of meetings held three times a week, conducted chiefly by Mrs. Harris. On Sundays, at 6:30 P.M., the hall is always well filled by soldiers. Many have been brightly converted, and are bravely standing the test of persecution in barracks. On Wednesday evenings a converts’ meeting is well attended, and the men give bright testimonies. On Thursdays, at 3:30, there is a children’s class, when illustrated Bible lessons are given on the blackboard.

“Second, Arabic or native work. This consists of (1) reading, conversation, and personal dealing every morning with visitors at our hall, individually or in groups. (2) Four or five afternoons every week are spent in visiting the surrounding villages, and the population scattered in the oasis. The more distant places I reach on my bicycle. Sometimes I have a group of from ten to twenty or more men and lads (Arabs) to hear the Gospel. (3) Twice a week a service in Arabic is held in our hall, consisting of singing, prayer, reading of the Bible, and preaching. These meetings are attended by both Jews and Arabs; at some the numbers have been very encouraging, and the attention and behavior of the audience excellent.

“The evident signs of God’s presence and blessing with us have been accompanied by strong opposition from the authorities against our work. In November last we were forbidden to sell or to give away any Scriptures or tracts either inside our own hall or elsewhere, and for continuing to do so, we were summoned and prosecuted both in January and February, and fined sums varying from one to three dollars. We have committed the matter to God in prayer, trusting that these things may turn out rather to the furtherance of the Gospel.”

—Missionary Review.