The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-11-21
BY CAROLYN B. ELLIOTT.

Among the interesting visitors to Birmingham are MT. and Mrs. H. c. Hobgood. and their son. Master Robert Simpson Hobgood, from the Belgian Congo, Africa. wno are being entertain ed this week In the home of their friends, pr. and Mrs. Robert N Simp son.
 Dr. and Mrs. Hobgood are in this country on furlough from their mis- sion field in Africa, where they a serving under the auspices of the Christian Church of America, In car irving the gospel to thousands of na- tives of the dark continent.
 Dr. Hobgood at present is engaged in teaching the native language to 10 young men and women, prospective missionaries, now tn training at the college of missions of the Christian church. located in India napolis. It will be recalled that he is the same Dr Hobgood who was one of the four who translated the New Testament into the language now read by one million peo- pie of Africa. While engaged in mis- sionary activities there, he has spent much of his time in the work of sucf translations. as well as in making long trips into the interior of the country for the purpose of preaching the gos- pei and Baptizing the people.
 MRS. HOBGOOD
 During her stay in America, Mrs Hcbgood is plying a fw days to Bir- niingham, and to pr. and Mrs. Simpson. to whose influence she attributes her first aspirations to become a mission ary.
 It was while she was a member of Mrs. Simpsons missionary circle of Vn11 v,cxe txlc fx,t t,a rodsburg, Kentucky that Miss Tobi- tha Alderson volunteered for life ser vice in the foreign field. After grad uation at Beaumont college, and dur ing her preparation for service at the college of missions in Indianapolis Miss Alderson met Dr. Hobgood. who was spending his first furlough at the home of his boyhood in America. The result of the charming romance that followed was that these two lives were united when Dr. Simpson officiated a, the pretty wedding, snort while be- fore pr. and Mrs. Hobgood sailed for their mission station in Lotumbe Africa.
 MISSION IN AFRICA
 The story of the work of these two missionaries since that date in Septem "er 1916 is like book. a short chapter Of which little master Hobgood might De persuaded to tell in baby English or broken French, or in the lisp of the native language of the Congo.
 part of the history of the mission however, and of the status of woman hood in that heather land, Mrs. Hob- good is gracious enough to tell in Enensh. The account, as given by Mrs. Hobgood herself, follows:
 The United Christian Missionary SOClAfv ri ff,xx in that part of Belgian Congo. Africa known as the district of the equator The mission in Africa is known as the disciples of Christ Congo mission which name was adopted after the inion on the field of the two foreig, missionary boards of the church. Tn Congo we have four mission sta tons and hope to open another within the next year. The first and oldest of our stations is Bolenge, on the main Congo, about 1000 miles from the West coast Of Africa On tributary of the Ruki river, which is one of the largest lriontaries of the Congo. is situated an- other station known as L,otumbe. This station was opened in 1910 and there has been an almost phenomenal growth in the number of converts in that time the church now having about 1000 members This station is 15o miles south of Bolenee AHu mas parish 4O0 miles long. On the Ruki river 210 miles south of Bol- enge is Monieka which was opened in 1912. and on 10 days by river beyond that is our last opened station. Belo- MOndombe, opened in April, 1920. TEN MISSIONARIES
 Our missionaries number at presan, z, with 10 in training now at our mis- sionary training school in Indianapolis We are very grateful for the rapld growth in our staff in recent years. our mission is q years old this year Int first baptism took place in 1902; today we have over 1000 Christians. The peo- pie are very responsive as rule to the gospel appeal. They are so low in thelr (heathenism, so ignorant and superstl. tiOus, so filled with fear that it is onl, natural that thing so pure and swee! as the story of our Christ should appea to them and awaken in them an interest
 '.The native language is Lonkundo The official language is French. as tn, Belgian government has charge of af fairs in that colony. Aside from ms fore Advent Services. Holy coumunior