The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1915-07-29
AMONG TUT RAKUBA TRIBES
II. NJ. Washburn

For several years we have beer
trying TO reach the Bakuba tribe!
from the blanche Station, which wa:
situated on the border of the coun
try, and have been able TO interest
many of the nearby villages in the
gospel. But tho great bulk of the
people lay beyond and these were
only reached enough to show them
that the Mission were friends OF all
the people of all the villages. Many
have heard the Good News and we
can but believe that some of this
multitude have been caused to be-
lieve. But the Mission as a whole
has felt for months that 10 move on
into the interior Of the country
would be the best thing to do for
this work. So in the month Of jan
uary the station at blanche was
closed and the man left in charge
OF the field was instructed TO spend
his time itincrating and in building
some small houses at the new site Of
Banzeba, which is located twelve
hours march in the interior Of the
country to the northeast of blanche.
This village has about three thou
sand people, and is within seven
hours of Mushengi, the capital OF
the country. Some years ago the
Mission had an evangelist at this
village, but from some cause or other
he was transferred TO another place
and the village was left alone. One
year ago we reopened the village
and now we have a prosperous work
at this place.
Two weeks ago | was sitting at
my tent on the site of the new sta
tion and was wondering il after all
we were doine The work in the bes.
way and if we were strong enough
TO crush the power Of Satan in this
country, when the native prayer
meetings started in the villages near
by. Then when I remembered that
one year age this village was in
the clasp Of tie prince Of Darkness
and tonight behold the songs Of
Zion are sounding on the still clear
air and these poor people are call
ing on the name OF God and asking
Him to hear their prayers and give
them peace in their hearts and the
love of Christ. Who shall say that
He will refuse them their humble
prayers? Truly God is working a
wor in our midst. With
q God ruling over US who is eager
10 give the blessing, and a peOple
calling on Him for the blessing day
by day, all thot is needed is the
channel through which that bless
ing is TO flow. But one Missionary
is small channel for so great a
blessing to pass through. How long,
how long shall Satan be allowed TO
rule unmolested in this and OF dark
ness?
Just an incident TO show the
power Of God over even the hearts
and lives Of these poor heather
people. In the month Of July, 1914,
he writer was permitted 10 visit a
village in the Bakuba tribe, and after
staying in the village for some days
md teaching the people he placed
IN evangelist there. A lad OF about
fourteen years heard OF the story
n the Cross and was so interested ,
n il that he told the evangelist that
he was going over 10 the next vii
age where his father lived and tell
hem OF this story. After some |
weeks he came back and upon in I
'estigating his work we found that /
he had been daily calling the peo- \
lie together and holding services 4
With them. AT that time all the
knowledge he had was the Lords I
'rayer and two verses and the il
horus OF one hymn, also four aues- v
ions OF the catechism. After stay r
lg for short time with the evan 2
elist TO get scne more knowledge, n
e disappeared again and this time e
e went not "1ly TO the village OF v
is father, bul also 10 three other S