Evening journal., 1918-06-28
WEEKLY TOPIC
and
SOCIETY ITEMS
of be>
CITY AND STATE UNIONS

Topic: "The Power Of the cros
m Africa, Acts s.26-39, written by Mrs
Thomas Kerr of Greenhill Presbyterian
Church.
IN letter from a missionary IN
Africa we are told that this land II
more involved territorally in the world
war than any other continent for only
one small independent country, Abys-
sinia, is not actively engaged in the
conflict.
10 SENS strange today that the part
OF the country so closely connected
with the history OF Gods chosen peo-
pie. and with the babyhood Of alesus
1.-The part noted for its civilization and
learning should be under the influence
of the crescent
The great problem for the Christian
Church today is the M0hammedan in;
fuence Of Northern Africa that is
creeping toward the soalh and will
soon be reaching out for the primitive
black people Of the interior.
The war between the Crescent and
the cross is on-can we doubt the re-
suit?
Eastern Africa has been in the hands
Of Germany and long has been known
as the 'land Of the twenty-five lashes"
because OF the terrible punishments in
flicted with strips Of rhinoceros hides,
by the Germans for trining offences.
The natives of East Africa now are
singing around their village fires, a
song, Of which the refrant is-"The
Twenty Lashes are Gone are Gone"
At the recent meeting of the Cen
eral Assembly Of the Church Of Scot
land the moderator asked his audience
whether this territory should ever be
in Germany's hands again and was an
swered by loud shouts OF mo"
And as the emblems Of liberty are
lifted for these people by our brave
Allies. so is the banner Of the cross up
held by the faithful missionaries who
Loyalty remained at their work while
oontending armies cut of supplies OF
food, clothing and many OF the neces-
sary things Of life.
We know the cross will triumph
with power for the hand Of God was
felt nightly in the transition Of these
colonies from German rule.
The African Christian Church has
been made stronger because OF the
sacrifices it has been called upon TO-
make, for after the conflict between the
armies was over the largest communion
service IN the world was held at Mete,
when 1900 African Christians met TO
remember the cross. This at one mis-
sion station alone.
The most intimate problems OF the
home life OF the converts are discussed
with missionary or teacher. and solved
according 10 the "Ten Tyings" which
TO us mean the Ten Commandments,
showing the influence on The heart-life
of the individual
The African since before the incident
. recorded in our Scripture reference has
believed in the legend Of Gambe the
Great Being, who brought him into ex-
-zstence and then because OF his DISC
8edience once TO pronounce sentence OF
punishment.
: All his life is shadowcd by the super
stition OF taboo and fetish which he be-
lieves Will ward off the evil that is so
\persistently pursuing him
\ With what Joy the message OF the
Gross is received; the story OF Jesus
who redeems him and his heart is filed
with love for the Son Of Gambe, who
enables him TO belong 10 Gods tribe.
The Cross is indeed redeeming Africa
and Transforming darkened lives into
lives OF beautiful faith and sacrifice.
The topic next Sunday will be writ
ten by Mrs. J. H.. Van Horn, a member
Of West Christian Endeavor Society.
The missionary tejic, like quite a
number Of other touics, is often given
but little attention and before the war
was given little or no attention, that is
in comparison with other topics. This |
war, however, has put the missionary |
topic, like number Of others OF SINH |
lar standing, before the public or those |
who are considering the reconstruction |
period which will follow after the
close Of this war. Africa has much
territory still unexplored. Let us do
our part and help bring our African
friends TO see the light.
The Christian Endeavor Society is
strictly interdenominational and does
not argue on the various translations
that are given for the Bible and the
war. But there is this that Africa will
come to the front in leaps and bounds