DARKEST AFRICA.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 September 1922, Page 3

DARKEST AFRICA.

THE FIRST MISSIONARIES. REFORMING “A DEVIL’S DEN.” A thrilling story of the first missionary work accomplished in the centre of Africa, and of the trials, difficulties and subsequent success met with by two intrepid men who penertated into that dark corner of the earth for the first time in 1913, was unfolded to a large and attentive audience at the Baptist Tabernacle, New Plymouth, last evening •by Mies Constance Brandon, organising secretary for the Heart of Africa Mission. The Rev. A. H. Collins presided, and briefly introduced the speaker. The story Miss 'Brandon had to tell was woven chiefly around the pergoas of Mr. C. T. Studd, a one-time wellknown English cricketer, and captain of the Cambridge eleven, and a young university graduate, Mr. A. B. Burton, who set out in October, 1913, bent on the con-, quest of the heart of Africa, where no missionary had placed foot before. They landed in East Africa and from there commenced their long and difficult journey inland, accompanied by eighty native porters, who subsequently deserted the missionaries. The difficulties met with on that arduous journey, the tropical heat that had to be endured, the huge forests, fever districts and cannibal tribes that had to be negotiated, were graphically portrayed by the lecturer, assisted by an exceptionally fine set of slides. At last, after nine months’ travelling, the north-east .of Belgian Congo, the very heart of Africa, was reached and the missionaries established themselves at Niangara. This district they found to be a sink of iniquity, a veritable devil’s den. Polygamy was practised, some of. the tribal chiefs having hundreds of wives, but the infant mortality was very high, and only the boys were cared for. Then there was the -black-art of witchcraft and other terrors to be combatted. Permission was obtained from the Belgian officials and the natives to build a house, a mud-hut with a thatched roof, and the work of translating portions of the testaments into the native languages was commenced. The lecturer said the Bible had been translated into 843 languages in Africa, of which 200 were for the use of tribes in the Congo, whilst 17 different dialects were spoken in the Upper and Lower Welle and Ituri, the three provinces in which the work of Mr. Studd and Mr. Burton was centred. Miss Brandon told of the great day when the first twelve converts were baptised at Nala. adding that the converts numbered 1000.

The mission was international, interdenominational, evangelical and inspirational. Its Objective had been to take the gospel to all parts of Central Africa not evangelised by other societies or missionaries, but now the objective was world-wide, work having been commenced in Arabia, while it was hoped soon to start work in parts of South America. Twelve men missionaries had gone out to the heart of Africa, whilst it was hoped to send 25 this year. Some of the converted natives also helped in evangelical work. Miss Brandon concluded by stressing the great need for more men and women for the mission field.

The Rev. Collins expressed appreciation of the story told by Miss Brandon of the work being done in the. heart of Africa. A freewill offering was taken up on behalf of foreign missions. The lantern for showing the slides was operated by Mr. G. Buckley.