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May 1931
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
monotonous tom-toming that is discord to our ears, but the Christian Papuans have learned to sing even beautiful oratorios, true and sweetly melodious, in four parts. Each noon the Christian Papuan leaders meet for a half hour of prayer on their knees. Is it any wonder that their lives are beautiful, their interests world-wide, and their work effective? 3. The Papuan Christians are taught that their de pendence is on God, but that each has a responsibility to do his part in answering his own prayers. This develops a virile and a practical, not a sentimental, Christianity. It promotes a spirit of service and of self-denying giving. While the Holy Spirit of God works through the mis sionaries and Papuan Christians* there is no fear as to the future of this work. . The honored and beloved hu man leader has been called Home. The loss is inestim able, for his wisdom, his experience, his power, his spirit were felt in every department of the work. But God remains and is already showing His power in the lives arid works of those who carry on. This is a work in which there is a true partnership with God, and rich bless ing comes to those who enter into this partnership. A glimpse of some of the work, as we saw it in Kwato and in its twenty-six outstations, and of the trophies won from heathenism, shows the value of this work and the marked way in which God has manifested His power and has honored the devotion of Mr. and Mrs. Abel and their fellow workers. We came back from Papua with a deep ened interest in the work and a strengthened conviction that partnership with God and His servants in this mis sion is a privilege that brings rich blessing to those at home and to those on the field. In spite of the great loss to the work and to the Abel family in the sudden Home call of Rev. Charles W. Abel, the work is going forward with power. The taking away of the beloved leader has acted as a stimulus to the mis sionaries and to the Papuan church, leading them to greater dependence on God and to a new zeal to make Christ known not only in the Kwato district but in the. unevangelized and unoccupied regions beyond.
that the new building will cost, in addition to native labor contributed, about two thousand pounds ($10,000), and friends all over the world are invited to contribute to the memorial. T h e S ecret of S uccess The transformations wrought in this mission are an outstanding example of what a Christian mission may accomplish. The secret seems to be threefold. . 1. The one aim is to lead the Papuans to an intelli gent faith in Christ as the Son of God and their personal Saviour. The missionaries train the converts for con sistent Christian life and for unselfish, effective service for their fellows. There is no desire to introduce Euro pean customs, habits of dress, or standards of life, but there is an earnest effort to develop Christlike character and usefulness, and to form healthful, industrious, self- supporting Christian communities. Consequently, schools are established, not for education beyond the people’s needs, but to teach them to read and understand the Word of God, and to help them-to earn a decent livelihood. Medical work is carried on to promote personal, family, and village cleanliness and health. Industrial work is conducted, not to produce wealth, but to enable the Chris tians to work for their own support, and to enable them to give to others in need. Last year these benevolence gifts of the Papuan Christians were sent to India, Japan, China, and Moslem lands, and for work among Jews in New York! 2. Dependence for effectiveness is not based upon fine equipment, large financial resouces, or a large staff of paid workers, but on the work of the Spirit of God in the hearts and lives of men. The missionaries spend much time in prayer and look to God for the supply of every need. Prayer expresses the life of the mission. The Papuan Christians^ gather twice or more daily for prayer and praise. It was an inspiration to hear those at Kwato each morning and evening as they sang in beautiful harmony some of the great Christian hymns, and then knelt in prayer. Heathen Papuan music is a
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