p. 636 | Signs of the Times, Harvest Ingathering Number

Earlier text: HERALDS OF THE COMING KING

Dedicating a New Printing Plant in the Philippines

By L. V. Finster

L. V. FINSTER

OCTOBER 30, 1915, will long be remembered by our brethren in Manila. It was a happy day at our new mission headquarters. The occasion was the dedication of our printing house to the Lord. About two hundred were present.

Less than two years ago, our printing work was started by Robert Stewart. But our native literature work has increased so rapidly during these two years, that we could not possibly meet the demands with our meager facilities, which consisted of one job press, a hand paper cutter, and a stapler, operated in a barn. Our bindery, with no equipment, was conducted in the basement of the mission house.

Some of our native boys used to say, "The press must be getting very tired, having to work day and night."

When some of the general workers visited our field in 1915, and saw our great needs, they at once sent an earnest request to the Mission Board for help, that we might have a suitable place in which to carry on our work. Our hearts were very glad to receive word, by return mail, that the request had been granted. The news seemed almost too good to be true.

The hearts of our native brethren were greatly touched when we told them of the liberality of the brethren in America, and their deep interest in seeing the work advance here. One of the native evangelists arose, and said he wished to speak a few words before the meeting closed. With much feeling, he stated that our Filipino brethren were deeply affected by this generous offering to help them in the work here, and that he thought we ought to extend our heartfelt thanks to the brethren in America for these tokens of their interest in us, and request our superintendent to convey these expressions to them. He then asked for a rising vote of thanks. The whole congregation arose.

Manila.

Singapore Training School

By K. M. Adams

IN our missionary training school, we have young men and women from Borneo, Java, Sumatra, and the Malay peninsula. They have come to prepare themselves to teach their fellow countrymen of the love of Jesus.

There are so many nationalities in these islands, that the school is truly cosmopolitan. Among the various nationalities represented are Chinese, Tamil, Javanese, Japanese, Timorese, Battak, Singhalese, and Amboynese. With so many classes, it would seem as though the work of teaching must be very difficult; but nearly all speak the Malay language, and that tongue is used as the medium of communication.

There were eighty-two in the school in 1915, with a staff of five teachers. The students show a real spirit for Christian work. Outside of school hours, they go into the city of Singapore, where every one can find some of his own nationality, and sell literature and teach the Bible. The native teachers lead in the work, to show the students how.

When we see how young men and women from the interior of degraded heathen lands blossom under this Christian influence, we realize that there is power in the word of God. We realize that God is working miracles of transformation on human hearts to-day that are as mighty and as real as His great work of healing the sick and raising the dead when He was here in person. Pray that the young workers who leave this school to take up the fight against superstition and idolatry may be faithful and strong, and lead many out of darkness into light.

Head-Hunters' Obedience

By L. Nicholson

L. NICHOLSON

THE Marovo Mission is situated on the small island of the same name. At one time, the natives were among the worst cannibals and head-hunters in the Solomon Islands. To-day they are yielding to the power of the gospel.

This mission was started nine months ago. We have some promising young people, who are accepting each point of gospel truth as it is presented. Some are very busy making a big feast to pacify the spirits before they can attend school.

Before a young man of this tribe marries, he must procure at least one head. One young man who now works for his fellow youth, says that when we first came here, he thought it good to kill before marriage. A number of these young people are quickly dropping the ways of heathenism, and placing their confidence in the word of God.

New Georgia, Solomon Islands.

How His Brother Died

By Roy Mershon

ROY MERSHON

WONG YUN, one of our Chinese church members, had just died. His brother came to tell us, and to ask that we arrange for the funeral.

On the way to the house, the brother, who went with us, suddenly asked, "Preacher, will you allow me to unite with your mission?" I told him it was God's mission, and not mine, and that we would be glad to have him come. I was curious to know why he desired to join, for I knew that the whole family, except our deceased brother, were heathen; so I began to question him.

He told me that his brother had passed away in a most beautiful manner, and that if there was anything in our religion that could make a man die like that, he wanted it. He said Wong Yun had talked about his God and the home in glory all the day before he died. He exhorted them all to get ready, because Jesus was coming soon. He read his Bible as long as he was able to see, and then, like a tired child, went to sleep.

I was not ashamed of the tears that ran down my face as I thought of the power of God in a poor Chinaman's heart, rescued from heathenism, that could thus buoy him up as he was passing out of this life; and I felt that it was worth all the parting from home and loved ones to be able to join in the work of saving such souls for the Master's kingdom.

Sandakan, Borneo.

Coming Americans at Ellis Island immigrant station, the chief port of entry in New York harbor. Among the Indians of Arizona, who have no written language.

The Foreigners at Home

By Steen Rasmussen

STEEN RASMUSSEN

THE immigration problem is one of vital interest to the American people. Mr. Roosevelt once said that with one possible exception, he considered it our most important problem.

Gigantic efforts are put forth by the government to mold these incoming millions into good and useful citizens. Should not equally strenuous efforts be made by the church to make them good subjects of the kingdom of God?

Millions of Foreigners Coming

During the years from 1905 to 1914, more than ten million foreigners came to this country. Nearly one half of these came from but two countries; namely, Italy and Russia. From Russia alone, including Poland, came 2,015,000. This is more than the population of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana combined, and equal to that of Petrograd. The Italians numbered 2,311,000, or nearly as many as the total population of the state of California. Lured by good wages or some other bright prospect, the great majority of these newcomers have flocked into the cities.

What One Woman Did

What can be done to give the gospel of salvation to these vast numbers of foreign-speaking people? Here is what one woman in one of our large cities did: She felt that she ought to do something in a religious way for the foreign people in her neighborhood. She is as busy as other women, with her home and her children; but she found time to visit the Italian district of the city. She took some small delicacies, flowers, etc., for sick mothers and children. She helped to secure work for some of the unemployed men. Gradually she won the confidence and love of these people whose language she could not speak.

She took Bibles and Testaments in their own tongue, and distributed them when opportunity seemed ripe. She always had a smile and a word of cheer. She found some young women helpers in her church who were glad to assist her in her work of visiting, and finally she got her pastor deeply interested. By his aid, and the help of an Italian teacher, she soon managed to open a Sabbath school for children, and in less than a year a prosperous mission was in operation. It grew rapidly, and is to-day a gospel center in an Italian colony.

Volunteers Wanted

This is one Christian woman's work for alien women. Hundreds of others, and men as well, could do likewise. The home is the point of approach, and a Christian man or woman is the key to unlock the door. Will not some who read these lines, and who may feel a burden for these "strangers within our gates," follow this noble woman's example, and be ambassadors for Christ?

Chicago.

The North American Indians

By I. H. Evans

I. H. EVANS

A FEW years ago, the central western portion of the United States was a vast plain, inhabited by nomadic tribes of Indians, who lived by hunting, fishing, and raising a few cereals and vegetables. Now these Indians are located on reservations. The government has established schools among them, providing suitable accommodations for many of the Indian boys and girls, and is offering a thorough training in the English language. Many of the Indians have already become industrious farmers and stock raisers, while others are making a success of their business undertakings. The vast majority of the Indians, however, have retained their nomadic habits, and choose to remain in the condition in which they have been reared.

Strong Religious Tendencies

The Indians have strong religious tendencies. They still tenaciously hold to the customs, religion, and traditions of their ancestors, and it is very hard to persuade them to conform to the teachings of Christianity.

Upon a recent itinerating trip among Indians in Arizona, we were deeply impressed with the great need of mission work among the Indians. More mission stations must be established among them. While a few have accepted the gospel, the majority are still in an unsaved condition.

Difficulty Confronted

One difficulty that has confronted missionary endeavor in behalf of the Indians, is the utter lack of a written language, and of Christian literature. But the Christian church must undertake larger things than it has yet undertaken in behalf of the 350,000 Indians in the United States, besides more than 100,000 scattered throughout Canada. We owe this people a great debt; and while the church seems slow to help them, there is at the present time a tendency to strengthen greatly the work carried on, and to increase it largely in the near future.

THE United States census for 1910 shows 13,515,886 foreign-born people in this country. And to this number may be added 32,243,382 white persons in the nation whose parents—one or both—were born abroad. This gives us a grand total of 45,759,268 foreigners and near foreigners within our borders. A great missionary field is thus afforded, and a great responsibility devolves upon us.

With Those Landing on Our Shores

By I. H. Evans

I. H. EVANS

President North American Division Conference

AT the present time, we have in the United States and Canada 280 foreign churches, with a membership of 10,600.

Three seminaries are conducted, one each for the German, the Danish-Norwegian, and the Swedish people. The central thought in each of these schools is, to train workers to serve effectively among these nationalities.

During the past year, new plans have been laid for aggressive work among the Slavic, Hungarian, and Icelandic peoples in this country.

A large work is being done in selling magazines filled with the gospel to the Icelanders, Poles, Bohemians, Bulgarians, and other Slavic races.

Judged only from a human standpoint, the reaching of this large foreign population is almost beyond our comprehension; but the Master's words still ring in every Christian's heart: "Go ye into all the world, and make Christians of every nation." To meet this great charge, the church of Christ must rise in its might, and with courage and faith do the work commissioned by Him who gave His life to save these people.

A GROUP OF FOREIGN GOSPEL WORKERS IN CHICAGO

"If you want to drive Satan away," said an African boy, "do not go after him with a gun or a spear. That will not frighten him at all. But if he sees you coming with the word of God, he will run every time."

O. J. OLSEN

By O. J. Olsen

From Iceland

O. J. OLSEN

THE first glimpse of Iceland raises the question, Can a person live there? For miles from the shore, one can see nothing but snow and ice. But it takes only a short sojourn to demonstrate that not all is snow and ice, for there is warmth and hospitality in the hearts of the Icelanders.

There are no trees, no railways, and but few roads. Our only means of transportation are the little Icelandic ponies in summer, and strong legs in winter. Our worst enemy is the snowstorm, which is sure to bewilder the traveler, and cause him to lose his way unless he has a compass.

The people here appreciate our bringing them the gospel. Often they say: "What would have become of us had you not come to us with the blessed truth of the gospel? Send our greetings to those who sent you to us."

We are not many in Iceland, and Greenland is right by us unentered. We need help.

Heathen Boys Rescued

By G. G. Lowry

G. G. LOWRY

IN our school at Coimbatore, we make it a practice to have a prayer and experience meeting for the students every Friday evening, and it is refreshing to hear their ringing testimonies.

One of the boys said that he used to smoke, drink, and do all sorts of wicked deeds; but since he has given his heart to God, the Lord has taken all these things away from him, and made him a clean man. There is no limit to the power of God; it works here just as it does at home.

Another boy, a Telugu, said: "I can never praise God enough for having sent your missionary to me. I was a terrible sinner, groping in sin and darkness, wandering farther and farther away from the true God. My parents were Christians, but I was not. I had many heathen friends and associates, who attended the Buddhist temples and worshiped there. I went also, and worshiped with them, making offerings to the idols. Then God in His mercy smote me with a terrible disease. I felt that this was a punishment sent on me for my wickedness, and prayed God to forgive my sins, and spare my life a little longer. I promised that if He would do that, I would serve Him the rest of my life. About this time, your missionary met me, and told me about the right way. A desire then came to me to prepare myself for the work of the Lord, and I came here to school. I praise God for all these things."

These testimonies show that the hand of the Lord is not shortened, that it cannot save. The word of God has created in the hearts of these young men a burning desire to go and tell the story of salvation to their countrymen, and this they will do as soon as they have finished their school work.

Coimbatore, South India.

What a Burmese Lad Knew

By C. A. Meredith

C. A. MEREDITH

BURMA has a population of about ten and one half millions. The people belong almost entirely to the Tibet-Burman race. The interior consists of wild, uncivilized tribes.

One day, I went to visit an old friend. When I arrived, I found a lad there talking to my hostess. He was telling her of the war, of the terrible death rate, and how many were dying of disease. He asked her why it was, and she said she did not know. I was then surprised to hear him tell her that it was because the earth is waxing old, and its end is near. I found that he had been reading the little Burmese paper, which points out what the Bible says about these things.

BELIEVERS IN SANDAKAN, BORNEO
Some of these are just turning from idol worship. — BELIEVERS IN SANDAKAN, BORNEO Some of these are just turning from idol worship.

Rangoon.

A. G. NELSON

By A. G. NELSON

From the Southernmost Inhabited Island

A. G. NELSON

TIERRA DEL FUEGO, so called because of its burning forests, is a large island separated from the mainland of South America by the Strait of Magellan.

A MOSQUITO INDIAN HOME
The background furnishes a typical scene.
Page 29 — A MOSQUITO INDIAN HOME The background furnishes a typical scene. Page 29

It is rich in gold and timber, but most of the people are engaged in sheep raising.

The Indians who first occupied the island are almost extinct. For a time, they were hunted like wild animals, as there was a bounty paid for their heads. Terrible are the records of their slaughter.

The Lord richly blessed in my first visit to the island. Souls were hungry for the bread of life. Bible studies were held every night, and great interest was manifested.

The chief of police was moved to tears as we traced the prophecies of the Bible pointing out the rise and fall of nations, and events to take place even in our day.

Many of those who could read bought books eagerly, that they might learn more fully of the way of life.

Punta Arenas, Chile.

Among the Mosquito Indians

By W. G. Kneeland

W. G. KNEELAND

A MOSQUITO Indian heard the blessed story of Christ's soon return. He was at the time suffering of an incurable disease, but he longed to live and tell others the glorious message of a soon coming Saviour. In answer to prayer, his life was prolonged, and he lived to translate several hymns into his native dialect. When the familiar song, "Thy holy Sabbath, Lord, Thy people hail with joy," is sung by the believers in other lands, some of this tribe of Indians in Nicaragua are singing the same hymn in the following words: "Dawan man Sabbat kam, Uplikam lillia brin; Ban bilam kaiki walaia, Won Kupia mamyuni."

We need a worker to take charge of the thirty or more baptized Mosquito Indians in Nicaragua, to learn their dialect, and devote his life to this needy field. Cristobal, Canal Zone.

MOSQUITO INDIAN GIRL AT WORK WITH WOODEN MORTAR

Mortars like this are used in preparing meal from the cassava root, and also from rice, which are the principal articles of their food. This group have been under civilizing influences, and are better clothed and appear better than the majority of the ten thousand of this tribe who are calling so loudly for our help.

Crushing Out All Hope

By Myrtie B. Cottrell

MYRTIE B. COTTRELL

ESTEEMED and honored as is womanhood in our own enlightened country, those who have never visited an Oriental land cannot easily gain a true conception of the condition of woman when surrounded by heathenism. But please glance for a few moments, through the keyhole of another's eye, at our sisters across the sea.

That the majority of Chinese women must go hobbling about their monotonous lives on little bound feet is well known, and arouses our sympathies. However, the fact is not always realized that this is but an outward and visible sign of the crippled lives and energies of the millions of women in China.

Confucius, China's greatest sage, was woefully lacking in his appreciation of the meaning and dignity of womanhood. He taught that woman could determine nothing of herself, and should be strictly obedient to father, husband, and son, who were to be considered supreme in all things. Beyond the threshold of her own apartments, she should not be known for either good or evil.

Buddhism also has conspired to crush out all hope from woman's breast, by its teaching that no matter how faithfully she may strive to do what is right, there is no possibility of immortality for her; the greatest boon that may reward her life's devotion and sacrifice is that through transmigration she should hereafter be born a man. From the time of her birth, when she is greeted with the disdainful and unwelcome remark, "It is only a girl," through the years of insults heaped upon her during childhood and youth, amid the drudgery and hardships of married life, down to the time when she draws her last breath, never is she permitted to forget her inequality with her more fortune-favored brother.

Steeped in such doctrines as these, is it any wonder that the women of China find it difficult to look beyond their own courtyards? Only to the few who have truly caught a glimpse of the love of the Saviour, who bids women as well as men

to come to Him, and cast their burdens on the One who is no respecter of persons, has the door of progress and enlightenment yet opened.

We need more self-sacrificing, God-fearing workers to go out and spiritually "mother" these poor souls who are blindly groping their way through superstition and ignorance toward something better. Childhood, with its unwilling betrothals forced upon it by grasping parents and "go-betweens," calls for the stronger and more intelligent arm of an enlightened, sympathetic, warm-hearted Christian sister to help liberate from such customs.

Every time the American slogan of "Ladies first" is courteously impressed upon you by some polite gentleman, remember that "Women last" is the rule throughout the Far East. Should we not be aroused to do all in our power to bring the gospel to these people, thus helping to restore woman to her original and rightful position as man's equal and help-meet, the position that was given her by her Creator in the beginning?

Correspondence Reading Course in Korea

By Mimi Scharffenberg

MIMI SCHARFFENBERG

We have among our country churches in Korea a large number of women who cannot read, and we are so short of workers that no one can be spared to go and teach them. Yet if they could only read the Bible for themselves, they would be very happy.

WOMEN OF CHINA MAKING AFTERNOON CALLS, PASSING MEETING PLACE OF BELIEVERS IN SHIH CHIAO VILLAGE

So we started a home study course for women who want to learn to read. We began the work only three months ago; and already one hundred and forty-seven women are enrolled, ranging in age from eight to seventy-two years.

The work is carried on by correspondence. Some member of the missionary society reads to them the letter of explanation, and helps them with their studies; and each month, they send in their written lessons. It is interesting to receive the A B C's written by old ladies. But they are anxious to read the Bible for themselves. Pray for them, that they may succeed. Soonan, Korea.

Tore Down Her Idols

By Mrs. Merritt C. Warren

MRS. MERRITT C. WARREN

TEN days after we opened work in Laochang, a fire broke out, which burned some twenty or thirty houses, coming within three doors of our chapel. While the fire was raging, the native evangelist's wife heard a woman in the adjoining room calling upon her idols to save her, saying, "Pu-sa giu wo! Pu-sa giu wo!" The Bible woman told her not to call on the idols, but on the heavenly Father, for help.

This woman had never heard of the true God or the gospel until she came in contact with our workers. Though at first opposed by her husband, she has been very faithful in attending all the services, and has now won her husband to the place where he wants to learn of the Saviour. Since hearing of Jesus, she has torn her idols from their shrine, and hung the Ten Commandments in their place, and no longer burns paper for the dead.

One remarkable thing about this woman is that before we found her, she did not believe in playing cards, drinking wine, or smoking, which are common practices among the women of the place. We believe this is only one among the many honest hearts in the thousands of unentered Szechuan villages whom the Lord is preparing to receive the words of life.

Chungking, Szechuan, China.

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