How W e Kept Christmas Day in the- Conga By ED ITH HARLAND [Miss E. Harland is one of: ths Africa Inland Mission volunteers who is stationed at Mahagi, Belgian Congo.—Editors.] ' C HRISTMAS EVE we all Went to Stauffacher’s for supper and the Christmas tree was
Spirit; so the following evening we met for prayer. This was the begin ning of a wonderful ¡time. God won derfully worked in our midst, first in our own lives and then manifestations of God’st.wforking in .the hearts of the natives, and nineteen accepted Jesus as their Saviour. New Years day fif teen took a stand for Christ in the midst of opposition. ' After this we met for prayer, in the afternoons, and with the nátives at night. We have a bamboo house built to hold services in, with.the natives. We are having many attacks frorri the enemy in many ways. .The first evening we met for prayer, after re tiring, we heard a noise in the frdnt part of our house; it was blowing very hard at the time, but as we have rats we thought the noise might have been made by them. However, we discovered that a native was in the house. We called out, and there was a scamper; we got up and saw that the rope which held the bamboo door had been cut and in that way they had gained entrance. They had taken all our cloth that we use for trade goods, many of our clothes,—and a box of medicine. The next day we fixed a chain on the door and a padlock, but in spite of this the night of January 3rd, the natives came, again. It was a wild night, we were awakened by a noise and heard the chain; we called out and we heard them run. We did not get up because we felt they could not get in, but to our surprise the next morning we found they had dragged the door out from the bottom and entered and taken more clothes, tow els, etc., and a very valuable box con- ■ (Concluded on Page 59)
lighted with candles made from bees wax. Mrs. Stauffacher had made them ; then we all had gifts, and music during . the . evening, and a bonfire. Christinas day we arose early; had the usual native:%femce at seven; then at ten-thirty )we fill met for a Christmas service.; W é sahg-à number of Christ mas hymns and'read the story of the birth of Christ front St. .Matthew’s Gospel and-' St. Luke’s. .At one o ’clock all came'’to' our house to'dinner. We had roastéhïcken, stuffed 'potatoes (white and native), macaroni and to matoes, beans, and then mince pie made with green tomatoes arid raisins (minced) and spiced. It was very good, then almonds ' and raisins. (Doris and Mary sent me a box with many good things in it). The Doctor (Newberry) wrote an acrostic for each one and these were written on cards and put into envelopes and formed the place cards; these were read at the end o f the meal and afford ed much pleasure. In thé afternoon we had another native service'; to all who attended we gave à little salt, (salt is a great treat to' the natives). We told them it was a day to. give gifts, the day we celebrate when God eave to the world the gift of His S.on, Jesus Christ, to be the Saviour of the world. At six we went to Mr. and Mrs. Haas’ house and had chocolate and cake, then had a prayer meeting. It was suggested at this meeting that we should have a special season of prayer, meeting to gether in the evenings and continuing in prayer. . We all felt the, need of more power and infilling of the Holy
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