Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-06-29
POWER Of CROSS IN
AFRICAN FIELDS
Mrs. Thomas Kerr OF Grecnhill
Interprets Christian Endeavor
Topic.

Topic: 1.-THE Power Of tho Cross in
Africa, Acts 5000, written by Mrs
Thomas Kerr Of Grecnhill Presbyterian
Church
'1n n letter from missionary in
Africa We are told that this land is more
involved territorially in the world war
than any other continent for only one
small Independent country, Abyssinia, is
not actively engaged in the conflict.
II seems strange today that the part Of
the country so closely connected with
the history of Gods chosen people, and
with the babyhood of Jesus-the part
should be under the influence Of the
crescent
The great problem for the Christian
Church today is the Mohammedan in
fucnce of Northern Africa that is creep
ing toward the south and will soon be
reaching out for the primitive black
people Of the interior.
The war between the Crescent and tho
Cross is on-can we doubt the res,dt2
Eastern Africa has been in the hands Of
Germany and long hae been known az the
'1and of the twenty-five lashes' because Of
the terrible punishrnen's inflicted with
ships OF rhinoceros hides, by the Germans
for triflng offences
The natives Of East Africa now arc
singing around their village fires, a song,
OF which the refrain Is, The twenty
lashes are gone. are gone
At the recent meeting Of the General
Assembly of the Church of Scotland the
moderator asked his audience whether
this territory should ever be in Germany s
hands again and was answered by loud
shouts of mo.
Il H.. ,,t,laY,,- ,ff thnvts+ lifted
for these people by our brave Allies, SO is
the Banner OF the Cross upheld by the
faithful missionaries who Loyalty remained
at their work while contending armies eli.
of supplies Of food, clothing and many Of
the necessary things Of life
We know the Cross viii triumph with
power for the hand Of Cod was felt
| nightly in the transition OF thess colonies
| from German rule.
The African Christian Church has been
made stronger because Of the sacrifices II
| has been called upon TO make. for after the
| conflict between the armies was over the
| largest communion service IN tho world
was held at Nete, when 5000 African
| Christians met 10 remember tho Cross
| This at one mission station alone.
The most intimate problems Of the
| home life Of the converts arc discussed
with missionary or teacher, and solved
according to the Ten Ty1ngs which 70
us mean tho Ten Commandments. show
| ing the influence on the heartiifc Of the
| individual.
The African since before the incident
recorded in our Scripture reference, has
believed in the legend Of Gamble the
Great Being who brought him into cxIs-
tence and because of his disobcdlencc
- rf
punishment
All his life is shadowed by the super
stition Of taboo and fetish which he be-
lieves will ward off the evil that IS so per
sistcntly pursuing him.
With what Joy the message OF the Cross
is received: the story Of Jesus who redeems
him and his heart is filled with love for the
Son OF Gambe. who enables him 10 belong
to Gods new tribe.
The Cross is indeed redceming Africa
and Transforming dsrkened lives into
lives OF beautiful faith and sacrifice.
The topic next Sunday will be written
bv Mrs. J. II VanHorn, a member of
West Christian Endeavor Society
The missionary topic like quite num-
Der Of other topics is often gwen but little
attention and before this war was given
little or no attention, that Is IN comparison
with other topics This war however,
has put the missionary topic, like a num-
Der Of Others Of similar standing before
the public or those who are considering
the reconstruction period which Will fol-
low after the close OF this war Africa has
much territory stall unexplored Let us do
our part and help to bring our African
| friends 10 see the light
The Christian Endeavor Society is
| Al aDI
not argue on the various translations that
arc gwen for the Bible and the war But
there is this, that Africa will come to the
| front in leaps and bounds and that by her
| own sons The British government has
| African troops in France today Some of
! these men have been brought from jungle
| homes in northern Africa and placed IN
| the centre Of civilization and these sur
/ ro,ndlngs will have great bearing on
their lives. These men like our own
| bows have the uplifting surrounding that
| is furnished by the Y NJ G. 4 and other
such organizations. They are taking their
! place on the field and are proving them
/ selves to be true soldiers When they
! return home they are bound TO seek higher
| things and not be satisfied to live as here
tofore. The Kaiser and his helpers cannot
check Gods plans, and We know the
missionaries now in Africa will welcome
| such A flood of Christian men to Africa
| Yes, these African boys are being helped,
mentally, morally, physically and spirit
| uallv
Won't each pastor announce from his
| pulpit next Sunday morning the Christian
| Endeavor rally Sunday evening, June 30,
| at Washington Heights, at 6 o clock, or II
| il rains il will be held in Hanover Church
t. . - a hold
and the public is invited
A special invitation is extended To all
railroad employees for the PENNSYLVANIA
Band is going to give rare treat Prof
] " Wingert. the leader has a program
that will be a rare treat and the band con
cert Will begin promptly At G O clock