NOVEMBER 1940 - No

VOL XI - NOVEMBER 1940 - No. 42 THE PIONEER

CHRISTMAS PEACE

By the time this issue of The Pioneer reaches our readers. we shall be celebrating again the birth of Christ. Thc birth of Christ and His first corning are associated with PEACE in conformity with the song of the angels : "On earth pcace. goodwill toward men." In our present day the world seems to have departed further than it ever has before from the keynote ,of Christ's first coming : "Peace on earth." There seems at this time to b,e no place.~ on earth but that is afiected by the ravages of war, ,to which one could flee for peace. But as the Chr,istma,stiNdedraws near, those of us who by vntue of His first comin,g, have found inward soul peace, may look forward to His second c3,rning How comforting and refreshing it is to realize that the Prince of Peace Himxlf will one day rule this entire world. From Jerusalem He will bring pea,ce to striken Europe. to the new world of North and South America. and to the Far East : yea, even to the uttermost parts of the earth. At this Christmas time we may confi- dently expect that ere long He will come and establish His kingdom of peace on earth. It will be a time when men will "learn war no more." and when "the knowledge of the Lord will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea.'' Until then, may His inner peace of the heart be ours, because of sins forgiven an,d a clean heart by virtue of His atoning Blood

REOPENING OF THE WlSSEL LAKES

One of our first editorials must be one of praise and thanksgiving. In our last number we referred to a seeming reverse. and indee,d it was with great reluctance that we 2 THE PIONEER withdrew our station according to Government orders from the Wissel Lakes, New Guinea. We are glad to announce that the Colonial Government earnestly desires to reopen the Wissel Lakes station. While it is still indefinite. the Government off~cialshave kindly taken the trouble to send a verbal message to us for our encouragement. and promise that they will write us promptly when the final decision is taken. Needless to say our missionaries are on the tip-toe of expectation with earnest desire to return to the Kapaukus. We ,must conless that we did not expect encouragement along this line so soon, but the Lord is far more in earnest than we are, and not only the Kapaukus. but the many undilscovered Papuan trib'es farther interior in New Guinea. shall be reached ere long with the Gospel Message. We cannot determine, of course, when the way will be open for our missionaries to return to the Wissel Lakes, but we havz made definite request that they should be permitted to do so with the first party.

MORE FURLOUGHS

Since our last issue MIS. Brill with three children. Wesley. Elin Mae and Donna, has had to return to the homeland on furlough. MI. Presswood on account of serious illness has also been obliged to leave the field. MI. Fleming was stricken with a serious attack of malaria and left with Mrs. Fleming and baby Paul for the homeland in July. All these are now in the homeland. and we hope that our readers will be able to hear their messages. and also those of Mr. and MIS. Meltzer and MI. and MIS. Mickelson, concerning the work in the Netherlands East Indies and British Malaya.

3 THE PIONEER

ASSOCIATE MISSIONARlES

The Christian and Missionary Alliance in the Netherlands East hdies and British Malaya has aff,iliated with them five missionaries who are termed Associate Missionaries. This makes a btal of thirty-seven missionaries, including those on furlough. We are happy indeed to have the fellowship In the Lo:ds work in this most needy mission fiehd of Rev. Hubert Mitchell, of Djambi. Southern Sumatra. Rev. and Mrs. Paul W. Fleming of British Malaya. who have recently returned to the homeland on furlough. and Rev. and Mrs. M. R. Williams, oP West Borneo. The difference between the statms of these missionaries and that of regular missionaries 3f the Alli3nce is that they came to the field at their own expense, were accepted by our Board while on the field. and that they are supported on the field, not by the iegular ,allowance sent from our New York head office. but by special contributions from their friends. The main reason for this editorial is to remind our readers that these faithful workers of the Lord are dependent for their support on the individual contributions of friends at home. It is feared that some may consider that inasmuch as they are associated with the Alliance that they are supported by the Alliance, which is not the case. We feel that the Lord sent them to this field just as much as He sent US, and it is both to our advantage and theirs that we are associated together in the work. We want to say that all of these fellow workers, and others, such as Mr. Willard Glaeser of the Gospel Tent work in British Malaya, and Rev. and Mrs. David Moiken of Southern Sumatra, are worthy a€ the prayerful support of our readers.

4 THE PIONEER

THE JOY OF THE LORD

By Dr. A. B. Simpson

The joy of the Lord IS the strength of His people. The sunshine that scatters their sadness and gloom ; The fountain that bursts in the deseri of sorrow, And sheds o’er the wilderness, gladness and bloom.

Chorus : Oh, the joy of the 1.0rd is my strength and my song, Our sorrow and sighing are o’er ; We’ll rejoice in the Lord, we’ll rejoice in the Lord, We’ll rejoice in the Lord evermore.

The joy ~f the Lord is our strength [or life’s burdens. And gives to each duty a heavenly rest ; It sets to sweet music the task of the toiler, And softens the couch of the laborer’s rest.

The joy of the Lord is our strength for life’s trials. And lifts the crushed heart above sorrow and care ; Like the nightingale’s notes, it can sing in the darkness, And rejoice when the fig tree is fruitless and bare.

The joy of the Lord is the hope of our calling, And, oh, for His coming, how fondly we pray 1 When we shall return with rejoicing to Zion. And sorrow and sighing shall vanish away. 5 THE PIONEER

THE JOY OF THE LORD Wz have chosen this hymn advisedly. If ever the world was full of sorrow and needed a supernatural joy, it is now. It IS indeed a sorrowful world, and, optimistic though we may be as to the future, the world still remains a world of sorrow. The Lord said to His disciples, however, "These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you. and that your joy might be full." (John 15.11j. And again, He said, "Ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. Your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." (John 16.20, 22. 24). He prayed also that His joy might be fulfilled in them. (John 17 : 13.) What a wonderful thing it is to know this heart-joy that nothing can change. Joy is more than happiness, for joy abides unchanging. while happiness may come and go according to the happenings of life. Some circumstances make us happy and others make us unhappy, but the joy of the Lord is not affeckd by the happenings of life. This joy no man and no circumstance can take Irom us. May it be fulfilled in us. May our joy in the Lord be full. Dr. Simpson in the present poem emphasizes in the first three stanzas that joy is strength : strength for life's burdens and trials. He likens joy to sunshine which scatters our sadness and gloom. He likens joy to music which makes the task of the toiler easy and puts the song in our hearts like the nightingale's notes in the darkness. True it is, as many of us can testify, when we are overcome with sadness, we are weak. When we can lift up the song of praise and rejoice in the Lord. we are strong. and sorrow and sighing vanish away. Let us not allow the enemy of our souls to take 6 THE PIONEER

gladness from our hearts and the song of praise trom our lips. We are reminded of that wonderful passage inspired by the Spirit of God from the pen of Habakkuk, "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines ; the labor of the olive shall fail. and the fields shall yield no meat ; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls : yet 1 will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." (Habakkuk 3.17. 18). We are also reminded of another wonderful passage in Zephaniah. "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty ; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy : He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with xinging." (Zephaniah 3 : 17.) If the Lord rejoices over us with joy and singing, surely we must respond with joyful praise.

WUG-K3mm~GX--C~~5-F-GG-X3mm

CALLED HOME

Our hear'ts go out to our brother, MI. Hubert Mitchell. in deepest sympathy at this time. The word of MIS. Mitchell's passing away on September 17th came to us as a great shock. We are sure that many friends a,t home will join in sympa- thetic prayer that the Lord will comfort our brother's heart. It is all the more pathetic owing.to the fact that MI. Mitchell is left with the care of three little sons, and now in addition. a baby daughter, Jean Marie, born on September 14th. "He will give grace and glory." He will give Brother Mitchell the Grace, as He has given to his beloved wife the Glory.

mmmmmmmL5Y?ammm 7 'THE PIONEER

LIFE IN NEW GUINEA

Mrs. W.M. Post

It was several days after we had become settled in our new home at the Wissel Lakes, and we were just finishing breakfast. Suddenly from the distance came the strange sound of voices yelling and yodeling, and as we rushed to the little window of our bamboo house, we glimpsed the advance of an army of Kapaukus mounting a nearby hill. They came about 50 strong - men, women and children. The noise of their dancing feet and their yodeling was intermingled with the squealing of the pig, which they were bringing to present to the white women who had recently xrived in their midst. We received a warm reception from these primitive folk as we began our life among them. Though the ap,pearance of many of them was somewhat frightening a? we first glanced at their painted faces and ornaments, their broad, friendly smiles soon won us over. Upon the arrival of Mrs. Dei~blerand myself, naturally the native women became less timid toward the foreign visitors, and we endeavored to win their confidence. As is always the case in a land w,here the Gospel is unknown, the degradation and inferior position of the women are obvious, Almost daily from the interior of an adjacent Kapauku hut came the sound of a husband's angry voice, simultaneous with the stamping of his feet in temper and rage a,s he scolded an'd often beat his wife or wives for perhaps little or no cause. On one occasion we heard also the loud crying of a woman. and learned that the older wife had been cruelly struck over her back an'd arms with a bamboo stick. The sharp edge had ma'de deep cuts and lashes which bled freely. 8 THE PIONEER

Upon inquiry we discovered that this wife had infuriated her husband by refusing to surrender to him B few cowne :hells (the currency of the Wissel Lakes) which she had earned. Even among these jungle people it is proven that "the love of money is the root of all evil."

Upon the occasion of a Kapauku wedding whlch we witnessed. the entire celebration consisted of bartering between the relatives of the bride and groom as to how many shells the groom's family would pay the bride's people. Much arguin,g and anger..was displayed ere the transaction was completed and a price agreed,upon. One of our native workers was one day exhorting a group of Kapauku men as tn their wickedness in forcing their wives to work slavishly, besides being subjecte,d to their cruelty. They were told how much better it would be to display kindness and consid- eration. upon, which ,one man promptly retorted. '"What do ,, you think I bought h.er~for, paying.out many shells 1 !" 9 THE PIONEER

The first time I peered into one of their huts, it was depressing to see the dark, bare interior, with the Kapaukus and their pigs huddled about a fire. Not even a cooking pot was in evidence, as they roast their food directly in the fire or between stones. The only useful article in sight appeared to be a large net used by the women to catch shrimps from the lake, and the carrying nets which they swing over their shoulders. Filth and dirt means nothing to them ; in fact. they apparently loathe water. and make no effort to be clean. 'However, one 'day an inducement was discovered. A boy entered our house. covered from head to foot with several layers of dried mud, and we challenged him that if he woul'd clean himself 'he would be przsented with a cowrie shell ! Like a flash he was out of the house and down to the I.;ke at the bottom of the hill. and in five minutes returned dripping with water. and several shades lighter in color ! He was all smiles as he reached for his shell, which undoubtedly he felt was well earned. Perhaps only the promise of the tiny shell could have induced him to take the dip ! Rut the matter which concerns us most is not the fact of their exterior filth, but the realization that within, their hearts are blackened by sin which can only be cleansed by the Blood of Christ, of which they as yet know nothing. Each day as they gathered at our back door to sell potatoes, shrimps or spinach, or filed into our front room to "look" or to "talk"; as they expressed it, we longed for the day when we could make plain to them the motive for our coming to live among them. The essential words to explain the Message of Salvation seemed very ,difficult to obtain. When the news came that we must leave our station so soon after our arrival. we naturadly wondered "why", but could only leave the people in the hands of the One Who 10 THE PIONEER began the work, and led us there. In the early niorning as we sailed away by Government motor boat to the first camp, v-here we were to begin the trail downward to the coast, we waved to the small group of Kapauku friends with lumps in our throats. Edan Tory, a chief who had seemed most receptive and eager to hear the Gospel. stood on the shore watching and waving until we had rounded the last bend. Please pray with us that the Holy Spirit may bring to his understanding the Words of Life which were given to him. May the way soon he opened for the work to continue among these people, and may many not only from among the Kapaukus be savad, but also the tribes farther interior who still wait for the Salvation Message.

A Kaiauku

of the

WiSS.1 Laber

11 THE PIONEER

ITINERATING IN DUTCH NEW GUINEA By Rev. Walter M. Post New Guinea is a land of mountains,- beautiful, high. blue- ridged mountains,- which proudly lift their lofty peaks heavenward. There IS something impressive about them ; they are so majestic and dignified. They seem sometimes to assume an air of defiance. One IS inclined to personalize that 'defiant attitude at times, especiaily when we have to struggle along those difficult trails, now picking our way up steep, sharp precipices, then again wading through swamps and bogs. But that is all thrown into the bargain when one itinerates in New Guinea. Early this year it was the writer's privilege to make an itinerary into the Esabu and Kemabu river sections, two large, extensive, fertile valleys east of the Wissel Lakes inhabited by the Moni tribe. during which we traversed mountains more than 8.000 feet high, while others more than 10.000 feet could be seen in the distaxe. While the trip was most enlightening and interesting, it was also trying and difficult. This is one of the most recently explored sections of interior New Guinea, and has also been visited by MI. Deibler. It is a seotion which we must occupy for the Lord Jesus, and as our work grows, we hope the day will not be far distant when we can make Christ known to these people. Before reaching Moni territory, we had two days and a half of travel through Kapauku country, passing many viilages along the way. The people were friendly, especially so when they discovered that we had cowrie shells. They came to our camp with sweet potatoes, native spinach, old or extra carrying nets, little native trinkets.. in fact, anything 12 THE PIONEER which they could barter lor cowrie shells. At one camp, we weie able to buy a nice native fruit about the size of a small watermelon, but which contained deliciously edible seeds which looked and tasted exactly like thr white meat of nig- gertoe nuts. We had not gone very far into Moni country, when we came to a salt water spring. There are several such springs in this vicinity, whic!i are the sole salt supply for all this interior country. We had. on former occasions, seen natives nibbling on a lump of black salt and wondered what ma,de it so black. In the absence of a suitable container in which the water can be sunned and evaporated. it seems that it is difl!cult for then to get the pure salt without getting some dirt mixed with it. The trail frequently follows the river, and it is necessary to cross and recross it repeatedly. Both the Esabu and Kemabu river bed,s are compo,sed of stones and rocks of all shapes and sizes. Among them we foun,d some very curious looking stones, round in shape. ahout two to three inches in diameter, anid varying from a quarter to half an inch 'in thickness. and with curves and ridges exactly resembling those of a seashell. There is a theory among geologists that at 'one time the island of New Guinea wa5 almost completely submerged by water. Thus it is possible that these stones are,the hardened sediment which filled the shell and remained aher time had worn the shell itself away. , How many centuric, and millenniums this process look is hand to say. But as one considers that during this time generation after geheratlon of th'ese races, have passcd away without a knowledge of Christ, one feels an inner urge to reach, them with the Gospel without further delay. .. ,, The mean altitude of these valleys is somewhat lower than 13 THE PIONEER that around the Wissel Lakes, so that the temperature is warmer. Consequently, on this itinerary, we were agreeably zurprised at finding some foods which are not found around Lake Paniai, notably bananas, limes and cucumbers. It is quite possible that other vegetables. which do not grow so well at our station, would do better here. Human nature is the same the world over. Here in the heart of New Guinea, cut off from all communication with the outside world, one would expect to get away from war reports and fears. But here these Moni people had a little war all their own - a feud between two clans, in which some 15 men ha,d been killed, an,d many wounded, some of them seriously. In practically every village we passed we met some who had been wounded, and one would show us where an arrow had gone directly through his arm or leg or shoulder. Others were shot in the stomach or intestines. and had small chances of recovery. Closely woven rattan vests were worn by some 'during these feuds, as a protection from the enemy arrows. Fortunately, none of these moun,tain tribes have yet learned to use poison on their arrows. If they did, the Monk especially, being a warlike people frequently engaging in intertribal feuds. would then well-nigh extermimte themselvas. Civilization wodd no doubt teach t'lem more devastating methods of warfare, but what they need is the Gospel, which would make them love one another.

May the Lard help us ~ smbring to them the Gmd News. which alone is "the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believefh.'' While rhe Monis appear to share the superstitions of the Kapaukus, some of their customs are far more cruel and barbarous. One of these is the practice among parents to amputate ,their fingers at the knuckle upon the death of one 14 THE PIONEER of their children. If it is a boy who dies, the father has his finger amputate,d ; if a girl, the mother is the victim. Along the way, we met some elderly women who had had as many as three and four fingers amputamd. At one village we saw a man who had just had his finger cut off a day or two before. and had the amputated part dangling from his carrying-net. As we travelled among these people, one could not help but be impressed wibh their dire need for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That alone will solve their problems, settle their differences. allay their fears, an'd bring an end to their feuds. Not!iing else can bring peace and satisfaction to their hungry hearts. In view of the wonderful way in which God opened the needy field of interior New Guinea for us. and led us to these benighted races, we cannot understand why the door should have closed so suddenly and abruptly. Of course. the immediate reason is the tenseness of the international situation. We believe, however, that it is only temporary, and we trust and pray that it will not be long before we can resume our work there. It is God's work, and He can turn this seeming setback into a great victory. But may He find as all faithful in prayer that these doors will open again, and ha)t these many soul's. for whom Christ di0d, may soon be brought into the fold.

The Pioneer is sent to you free. Anyone wishing to send gifts towards the publication of The Pioneer, however, may do SO lby sending a Money Order, cheque, draft in Java Guilders. or bills to R. A. Jaffray, Ladjangiroeweg 77, Ma- kassar, Celebes. N.E.I. Friends in China wanting to send covtributions may do so through the Alliance Press Office, Box...... 452, Shanghai. -...... 15 THE PIONEER MIRACLE OR MlRAGE l.Y Reo. C. Russell Deibler An American museum once spent $300,000 an'd wrcckea 3 ship on an expedition sent to the Arctic to explore a mirage. Twice Peary had seen 'the white summits of a distant land. above the ice horizon'. He named it Crocker Land and later the excited Museum sent out an expedition to explore it. The leader of the new expedition thoroughly explored tb.c area where the Land should have been. It wasn't there. He then suspected that Peary had been fooled by a mirage. He therefore proceeded to the point where Peary had seen the supposed land. and there it was. His glasses brought ,t out so clearly that he might have staked his life on its existence. A magnificent mirage. Since being obliged to withdraw temporarily from our mission post at the Wissel Lakes in central Netherlands New Guinea. the vision that began the year and a half of arduous pioneer work there seems now to have been but a magnificent mirage. When we ma,de our fir,st trip to the Lakes. WP visualized the day when a people from amon2 those nswly discovered tribes would have been called out for His Yame. It was the vision of ,that day that encouraged us to cmrinue the work amidst tremendous difficulties. Now we haw had to abandon the field for a season. Those pygmoid tribe,s are left without a single witness of the Gospel, left to slip back into 'splendid isolation'. Went we forth to th'e evangelization of that field seeing but a magnificent mirage or went we forth in response to faith 1 We were confident that this was no fanciful mirage begotten of wishful thynking. but a glorious conquest of faith and we still believe that God has many whom He wills to save in New Guiricil. 16 THE PIONEER

Early in '37, the Lakes were seen for the first time from the ar. Lata that year, the Government officials made the first overland expedition to contact these new tribe:. Mr. ]affray felt the challenge of this discovery, and, in the wake of the explorers, we went forth in re3ponse to the appeal of these new people. That first survey trip was made under unthinkable conditions. Next, Mr. Post and I. xcolm- panied by three native workers and twenty Dyak caxiers. moved in to possess the land. During those genesis mcnths, at great labor and expense, the Dyaks carried inland zlmost every mouthful of food we ate. We were obliged to buil'd our own crude bamboo shelters to protect us from the in- cessant wind and rain. Acquiring the language wad by word was a most tedlous task. We lived on a very meager diet, and lor an entire year were separated from our wives. Wid we undergo the inconveniences of those months hecause we had seen a mere mirage? No, we persevered in the work knowing that our labors in the Lord would not be in vain. During our early months there, _our ministry was rilmost entirely among the Kapaukus in the envirom of the Lakes. Almost every pa,ssing monoh. brought us contacts with and news about other new tribes in the hinterland. Shortly after the discovery of the Kemandora valley. inland from the Lakes, we visited the Zonggoenoe tribe which inhabits that populous area. While on that trip, we met with Dani tribesmen, whose village fires we could see in an adj2ining valley, but whom we had not the opportunity of visiting. Looking east of the Lakes, one sees the country inhabited by the Mappia tribe. while farther 'north is the land oi the Jabbis. A young lad once visited us from another popdous valley to which no outsider has ever gone. Standing in 17 THE PIONEER front oi our bambw home at the Lakes, one can couiii any number of mountains etched on the horizon, whld have never known the tread of a white man’s foot, and 3~ which slopes there must be many yet undiscovered tribes. And what shall we more say? Time would fail us to tall of the grea,t field of New Guinea which we have seen but in part. No mere mirage this but a tremendous challenge tu your faith and mine. A great and effectual door to these Christ- less millions was momentarily opened, but now is clxed. Our faith in a God of miracles and not mere mirages will again swing widely open that door. When the day is so far spent, and the night, in which no man can work, is so close at hand. dare we sin in ceasing to pray that yet a shgle opportunity to hear the Gospel will be afforded thes? long neglected tribes ? In the midst of our disappointment at being obliged to withdraw from New Guinea, comes now the heartening news that we may be permitted to return there shortly. HOT our hearts thrill at the thought of again representing Christ among the Kapaukus. We realize that we shall have to lay again the foundation of the work there. Our crude bamboo houses will have fallen in ruins. We may nnt have again the help of the Dyak carriers. We are looking to the Lord to provide a twinmotor plane which is now indkpen- sable to the reopening of the field. Food suppiies and workers could be flown inland to the Lakes, and with the aid of the plane, we could parachute supplies to workers in the outlying, almost inaccessible posts. We could then begin work in the Swart and Baliem river valleys, which are also recent discoveries. God grant that +his may prove to be no idle dream, but the fulfillment of the desire to se? the miracle work of salvation. as we have witnessed it amm the 18 THE PIONEER

3yaks of Borneo, wrought also among the New Guinea tribes. We believe that a day is fast approaching when missionary work will be well nigh impossible. If New Guinea is to learn of Christ it must be soon. We dare not neglect this last opportunity of takinmg the Light of the G xpel to those who still sit in stygian darkness.

DIRECTORY OF MISSIONARIES Makassar. Celebes, N.E.I. -

New-Guinea. (Address at present c/o Makassar, Celebes. N.E.1) - Rev. C. R. and Mrs. Delbltr Rev. W. M. and Mrs. Post Ampenan. Lombok. N.E.I. - Rev. W. and Mrs. Konemann Melak. via Samarinda. East Borneo. N E.1. - Rev. H. W. and Mrs. Post Tandlongselor, Doelongan. East Borneo. N.E.I. - Rev. G. E. and Mrs. Fisk Long-Berang. via Malmau, East Borneo. N. E. i. - Rev. I. F. Willfinger Balai-Sepoeak. (via Pontianak and Sekadaul Wesr Borneo. N.E.I. - Rev. J. A. and Mrs Mouw Nanga-Pinoh (wa Pontianak and Sintang) Wesr Borneo. N. E. I. - Rev. H. A. and Mrs. Diaon Rev. M.R. and Mrs. Williams Ringlet. Cameron Highlands. British Malaya - Rev. G. and Mrs. Woerner Djambi. Sumarra. N. E. 1. - Rev. Hubert Mircheil Lahar. Sumatra. N.E I. - Miss A. E. LeRoy On furlough - Rev. J. C. and Mrr. Melrzer. Rev. E. H. and MIS. Mlckelson. Mrs.J. W. Brill. Rev. W. E. Presswood Rev. P. W. and Mrs. Fleming...... "...... "..."...... 19 THE PIONEER

'TREASURES OF DARKNESS' by Mrs. C. R; Deibler

While waiting here In 'Ma,kassar until it should be passible lor me to join MIr. Deibler in' the work there.in New Guinea. I received many interesting letters from him giving vivid word pictures of his surroundings, the people among whom he was working and the struggles he was having in learning their unwritten language. I looked forward with longing t~ the day when 1 could join him and share those experiences about which he had wri,tten. Over a year passed before this desire was granted. We were permitted to labor together there only three months before our withdrawal was neccscitated. / Once again we find ourselve,~in Makassar, looking back upon our ,experiences shared there. Yes. but more than that we are looking forward to ,that ,day when again we shall be in our home and among our people at the Wissel Lskes. Kindly permit me to share with yo,u a few of these rminis- cences.

20 THE PlONEEK

It is not difficult to forget the hardships of a journey when that journey's end is attained, but the images of those who have pled with you to remain in their midst and tell them more of your Go,d, are not so easily obliterated from the mind and thoughts. No smner had we crossed the threshold @f our new home and life among the Kapaukus of the Wi,ssei Lakes district. than the hardships of the trail seemed only a vagary. These people, the days we sat in their midst learning their language, teaching them ,the Gospel message. the realization of their great need and the utter destitution o'f rheu souls mitlioi!t a saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, ail ihese have become the memories from which there IS no liberation. After a few weeks of ardent language study, I was permit. ted 'to accompany Mr. Deibler and two of the student wor,kers on an itinerary trip to che headwaters OF several riyer,s which feed the Lake. Our first stop was on the opposite shore of the Lake in an outpost manned by one of the student workers. The men of the village gathered on the shore to award us a royal welcome but the women and girls were noticeably ab,sent. We leatned that most of the women were out in canoes fishing for shrim8ps,but had they been, present. they would not have taken part in welcoming us,to their village. A few hours,,later; when we saw :hem returning from their fishing, 1 walked down to the lake'shore and called, "Friend ! Friend ! Come. \Ye want to tslk with, you !" Some of the women were very much alarmed by my presence there, 'so they drifted about in their canoes a few yards from shore hoping.1would grow weary and,leave.. H,ow- ever, ,I stood my ground and when they saw that others were able, to pass by me yithout harm. they gathered couragz, and soon all the canoes were brought to shore. We invited them.to 21 THE PIONEER come to the house after they had eaten. The worker had always found the men friendly and teachable, but the womea scurried out of sight when they saw hi,m approach. We could only hope that their curiosity would draw them to the house that afternoon. Beyond all our expectation,s. they responded ,to our invitation and before the sun had sct nearly every woman in the village had gathered in front of the house, each bringing her gift of sweet potatoes or live shrimps. A few o,f the bol,der ones ventured to touch my hand just to see what that white skin was like ! Their fears dispelled. that was the beginning of a ministry among thp women of the village. Continuing on to headwaters of the first river. wc iound the largest village we have ever seen among the Kapaukus. consisting of some fifty houses and a,pproximately three hundred people. Both men and women of this village were very friendly and they pled with us to remain with them, pointing out several sites where we could buil,d ourselves a house and cultivate our own ,potatoes. They were so friendly we were loathe to leave them. After telling them the Gospel story in their own tongue, we left. promising to return shortly and teach them further. Frequently, during these months that have ,passe,d since that promise was made. we have thought of those people and of our inability to fulFill that promise. We earnastly pray that God will enable us to return shortly to those who yet 'sit in darkness'. During the ensuing days. we traveled to the headwaters of the adjoining river. Rarely were we able to overtake these evasive tribesmen. whom we sighted along the river's edge. However. at the headwaters of that river the people were very friendly and pled with us to build ourselves a house in their village and teach them more of the 'Great 22 THE PIONEER

Father above'. Our only answer to their pleas was, "We go now. In the future ,someone will come to teach you. Meanwhile, don't forget this story ! Don't forget !" Even though their hearts are open and they are eager to hear the Gospel story. 'how can they hear without a preacher' ? "Thou shalt not be afraid ...... for the arrow that flieth by day." Many ti,mes during the days that followed ,-s we wended our way uip the river into the third valley, this ;.erse was brought to mind. Here the natives were neither afraid nor friendly, but were openly hostile and gestured with their bows and arrows for us to keep moving : we were not to trespas,s in their land. Contrary to their wishes, we drew the canoe up to the shore and talked with them in a iriendly manner trying to win their confidence. When all other arguments failed, the Kapauku chief. who was acompanying us. would wave a hand in my direction and state, "This is a woman from the outsi,de world, have you seen her ?" "What ! A woman from the outside world ? Such things just don't exist ! That's a funny looking man !" One old man asked. "Are you a woman from the outside world ?" "I am." He wrinkled up his no,se in scorn an,d said, "You aren*t! !" I wasn't accustomed to defending myself on that score so I could only lamely protast that I was. AFter we had fully won their confidence, our chieftain friend would tell them that we meant no harm, but had come to teach them cf the 'Great Father above'. an,d then in his own eloquent manner he preached to them all the Gospel that he himself knew. The intensity of interest and eagerness to hear more that wa,s manifest in their faces stirred our hearts. While the chief told them all that he had heard From our lips, we sat 23 'THE PlONEER silently praying that God, through His Holy Spirit, would cause them to understand, and that the 'entrance of His Word', so simply given, would bring light into their darkened hearts. It was wi'th reluctance and deep regret that we left those people, who had pled with us to stay an,d tell them more of our God. Having been obliged to wihdraw so soun :ifter returning to our headquarters at the Lakes. we never again had the opportunity of making a second itinerary intn that area. Those people yet await the return of the m.issmger of the Gospel. While we lament the fact that those tribes have had an inadequaste opportunity of understandng the Message, having heard it only once, there are still others in inland New Guinea who have not had even the first wctness. W,hat joy will be ours when we can again return to JU~home and our people at the Wi,ssel Lakes. Some would ~hink then coarse, and their manners repulsive. but. by faith, ue see them as 'treasures of darkness'. 'bright gems for His Ctcwn'.

......

SPECIAL REQUEST ! We are looking forward with prayerful anticipation to the visit of our Foreign Secretary, Rev. A. C. Snead, in January. Pray that as the missionaries meet together with him in Con- lerence, that the blessing 0: the Lord will rest upon us ail. ., ...... 24 T HE 'P 10 N E E K

TROPHlES FOR CHRIST IN BORNEO By Rev. I. F. Willjinger

"Thrust In thy sickle and reap, for the tune 1s come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe."(Rev. 14:15) In this trying age of world turmoil and strife there are gleams of light and hope which break through the dark war clouds upon the eye o,f spiritual vision. As one goes up and down this land and sees the multitude of souls as yet unevangelized and sitting in hopeless darkness and despair, and then looks upon the scene that is crowding the stage of world even& and preparing the way for the corning 01 anti-Christ, one is forced to conclude that this Scrlpture IS being fulfilled. The result is that we come to the conclusion that the harvest of the earth truly is ripe ; and the time is come to reap in greater haste than ever befure. because of the very immanency of the approach of the "Coming One." Let us thrust in the Gospel sickle an'd reap while we may. It was my privilege recently to make an itinerating trip to a district here in Borneo where never before was the name of Christ and His redemption declared. It was with a mixed feeling of fear and trepidation. yet with a quiet and steadfast confidence in the dynamic power of the Gospel, that I started on this trip. Because of the fact that the people here are of a distinct tribe and language, I first sought for an interpreter and then started on my way. The location of this district is on the Seboekoe and Toelid rivers just a few days' journey from British Borneo. It may interest you to know that this 'place is still the haunt of herds of wild elephants : and I was entertained on occasions by tales from the.lips of the natives concerning ,these ferocious beasts, who come practically every year and completely destroy 25 THE PIONEER cocoanut trees an,d certain other fruit treea that they are kond of eating. The natives have no firearms. and they say their spears are useless against them, so they just stay in their long- house and watch the destruction of their trees until the big fellows are satisfied and leave. Some of the natives claim there are even orang-outangs or gorillas in this part of Borneo also. So you see It is still quite wild and jungle-like. But I have found that the human soul has the same hunger for God in every clime. After three ,days' journey overland from our coastal station at Malinau, and one day in a native canoe, I finally reached lily destination on the Seboekoe River. In the first village to which I came, the Chief was drunk. He bowed and kissed my hand and went through all kin'ds of maneuvers to show his welcome. I set up my knock-down table and chair, that I use on these trips, and ate my supper. After about an hour 01 persuasion, 1 finally got the village assembled for a meeting. The women would not come near me, and the children ran when I approached them. After praying, I told them 1 had come to bring them good news concerning God. They said, "Who is God!" One could hardly believe that such ignorance prevailed among mankin'd. Later, I showed them a picture chart of Christ and explained the Gospel, as simply as it is possible to do, to an au)dience of that nature, in one brief evening. Before we closed I had them singing quite heartily a hymn which I translated into their language. At first they would laugh and giggle. and thought it was a great joke, but before the evening came to a close the Holy Spirit got hold of the situation. and they were all singing quite heartily (and quite unharmoniously) even to the drunken old chief. I look to the day in faith when God will take out of this district a 26 THE PIONEER

people for His name. Thus came to a close my service in this first village. and 1 retired quite weary in body and mind, but happy in the privilege of pioneering for Jesus Christ our glorious Lord and Redeemer. The next morning 1 changed coolies and took coolies from this village to take me by canoe to the next village. as is our custom In itinerary travelling. Going downstream, these boys who had heard the Gospel for the first time the previous night, requested me to sing the hymn I taught them, and they lustily joined in. Praise God ! 1 wen,t from village to village on this river giving the Message in every one. I had skipped one because it was off the lbeaten trail, but later went there also. feeling urged of the Spirit to do so. Incidentally. it proved to be the village most interested in the Message, and also one of the most populous. It pays to mind the leading of the Holy Spirit. When I arrived at the extremity of the Seboekoe river I was surprised to find quite a nice little village with several ChineFe stores. (Qui,te often the Chinese merchants reach remote places before the messenger of the Gospel. Are we less enterprising 1) One of the Chinese merchants had formerly made a trip with Mr. Walter Post. He said he was glad I ha,d come wit,h the Gospel to these benighted souls. He invited me in and gave me a nice dinner. Many Chinese have befriended me in my short missionary 'career. On this same trip another Chinese merchant gave me five ,dollars to help in the evangelization of the Dyaks here. From this point I started up the Toelid River and found an even greater hunger for God here. They would sit and question me until quite late concerning Jesus Christ. One old fellow on one occasion said, "Sir, keep on teaching us I'HE PIONEER until we begin to light up our cigarettes and that will,b,e a sign to you that we are sleepy." I arrived in one village just in time to pray with a dying man. and explain ,to him the way. of salvation. After my meeting in that village that evening the dying man succumbed. Then began the most hideous wailing ceremony I have ever witnessed. It was as though the powers of Hell Itself were let loose. Oh, the hopelessness of those who do not know God in the hour of separation by the cruel han,d of death. The next morning one of the men said to me, "It was a good thing you were here 1,ast night or there would have been trouble. There is always drinking and fighiting at tshe time of a death." The Lord says, "Ye are the salt of the earth." Even our presence has cIfect through the Spirit. In another village, I prayed with a sick man. and God touched him and raised him up.The news seemed to travel like wild Iire, and in most villages thereafter 1 was requested to pray for the sick. I asked God to heal that man instantly to convince these heathen minds of the verity and power of the Gospel I was bringing them, and He heard and answered prayer. Praise His namme ! From then on, there seemed to be a more intense spirit of listening on the part of my audiences. When I left, practically every village asked me to come back, so they could know more intelligently the Message: of Redemption. In retracing my steps, I heard many singing the simple Gospel hymn I had taught them, although they had the words mixed up, and the tune was unrecogn,izable. However, it indicated at least that they were thinking upon the mkssage. When I arrived back in Pernbaliangan on my way home. an' Arab merchant told me that numerous Dyaks from the two rivers who had come to buy at his store asked him all kinds of questions 'concerning Jesus Christ and whetKer ,or 28 THE PIONEER not what I taught them was true. I learned later that the cause of the reticence on the part of some was that they feared that my real purpose in coming was to take them off to war. This was a lie spread possibly by some Mohammedan enemy of the Gospel. Pray, brethren. that God will call out a people for His name from among this needy people. and for the watering of the Seed which has been sown.

Gmub of Dyak Christians at Long Ba~ang Sesniab. East Bnrnro

29 THE PIONEER

WHAT GOD HATH WROUGHT By Rev. H. A. Dixon "God hath done great things for us. whereof we are glad:' During our recent itineracy m the Pinoh Landen section oi the Melawi District, West Borneo, two of our Native Evangelists visited the villages located along the Kenindihl River and preached the Gospel there for the first time. Subsequently. there was a mighty movement of the Spirit among the Dyaks. and scores of souls turned to the Lord. Immediately, there came the call for teachers to instruct the new converts. The policy to "rob Peter to pay Paul", by transferring workers from another field of labor, leaving that division without a witness, is not wise. "Truly, the harvest is great. and the laborers are few." Finally. in the latter part of May. we were free to make a trip to the Kenindjal and witness God's working. Our first stop was a 'small Chinese village at the mouth of the river. Here, we were 'delightfully surpri,sed to learn that our workers had won practically all these Chinese. some 15 or 20. to the Lord. In fact, it was through these Chinese convents. large rubber-plantation owners, who employ Dyak laborers, that we were able to contact the Dyaks and win theo: for Christ. We enjoyed blessed Christian fellowship with these Chinese brethren. while conducting as many as three services during one day. We also ,marvelled at the spiritual progress they had made in such a short time. Their faces just beamed as they sang praises to the God of their salvation. and we noted with deep satisfaction that they understood practically all the vital Gospel truths. 30 THE PIONEER

How we praise the Lord for what He hath wrought In two short months among the Chinese in this part of Borneo ! As we approached the Dyak village of Nanga Mang about dusk one evening, we were greeted by Gospel singing. How thrilled we were by this sound of praise being wafted heavenward from newly redeemed hearts In the middle of pagan Borneo ! Arriving. we fomd that people had gathered from five villages, led by the chief who is ''king" of the entire district. What a welcome we received, and such hospitdlity extended us I It seemed that ,the people could not do enough to show their appreciation of our coming. The dwelling was one of the cl'earest we have seen in Borneo, and they gave us boiled water to drink ! An explanation was necessary, and it was that they too have been boiling their drinking water ever since they learned from ,the teachers that it is more healthful. One man expressed it this way,. "Before the Native Evangelists came we were living in darkness. but now we are walking in the Light." These are some of the external results of the Gospel. Hallelujah 1 These redeemed Dyaks love to sing ad are hungry for Gospel teaching. Consequently, our meetings continued far into the night. In fact, the last sound we heard hefore closing our eyes in sleep was that of joyful singing, while we were awakened early in the morning by an anthem of praise. What a time we had instructing these "babes in Christ." answering their questions, praying for the sick, etc. When at last we departed for home, with the promise to ;:turn soon, it was with the conviction that God had done grcat things for these Chinese and Dyaks of this district, and we were giad with an unspeakable ,gladness. IHk PIONEER

VIRGIN TERRITORY BEING EVANGELIZED in British Malaya By Rev. Paul W.Fleming The town pool-room owner was saved. His two wive> threw out their Buddhist idols and were baptized. S:iop owners, school teachers, and students, young medical me11 and nurses from the Government hosp~tal.Hindus, Buddhists. an'd Mohammedans. people horn all walks of life, turned to Christ in the Gospel Tent meetings in British Malaya. Night and day men are seeking the true God. Such meetings have never before been held In Malaya. Alter the first few weeks of meetlngs. 27 of the new converts were baptized. Many others already saved want also to take this step. Every night more are coming to Christ, and the meetings are going on from town to town s,pending a month or more in each place. These services cannot be called a revival, as most of the people have never heard the Gospel before, proving definitely that God's great blessing will follow when we obey His command and go to the uttermost par'ts where men have ,not yet heard o,f the Way of ,Salvation. For over two years this work was on our hearts. There were obstacles and discouragements. At times we wondered if it was too big an undertaking ; ,but we felt that surely if God was in it: He would s0e us through. We are very thankful to our brother and lea'der, .R. A. ]affray. who encouraged us much to go ahead with this wo,rk. ,Now the Lord is blessing far more than we had even imagined. Our hearts are filled with praise !, We are leanning more what God can do if we will fully trut Him. No undertaking is too big if it is a genuine effort to win souls for Him. 32 THE PIONEER

The first month's meetings were held in Pahang's State Capital. Kuala Lipis. New converts were left behind with one of the Chinese pastors, Brother Tsang, who is now holding meetings in his house. The new Christians bought benches to seat 60 or more, but even after borrowing all the available chairs in the nelghborhood, there was not roam for all who came to the services The Government has given us a piece of land on which a church can be built. In each of the many towns the Gaspel Tent will visit, we can see it will be much the same. 1 #believethat all over the eastern side of Malaya. small churches can be started to givz out still further the Way of Life. Mo'st encouraging is the way the Gospel is gripping the young people, real material for the Bible School. We don't begin to have the workers needed to follow up the work left behind from the Tent Meetings. The workers who are now with us will have to be real circuit-riders ; but even then one THE PIONEER man can only cover two or three towns. Each town has a population of from fifteen to twenty thousand people, and there should be a worker in each place. The Gospel Tent work, and the worx it leaves behind, will draw students to the Bible School, Eventually trained workers will be prepared to go back to carry on the work left by the Tent Meetings ; but most important of all. these workers will carry the Gospel to thousands of unevangelized tribesmen still far from the reach of the Gospel in the higt. jungle mountains, which extend up into the heart of Asia. Who will be faithful to God 7 Now is our opportunity ! "PRAY !" After the first few meetings in the Gospel Tent, a prayer chain was started among us who are in that work. The first night. the number of converts just doubled. "GIVE !" It was the gifts and prayers of faithful friends which enabled this work to start. We believe God wil! continue to raise up more help to kmp it going. "GO ! If God is calling you, nothing can compare with the beautiful romance there is with Him in His service. God's love alone can make us count for His glory. not human love, but divine love! In the last chapter of John's Gospel we find Jesus teaching Peter the meaning of this divine love. Peter had earnestly loved Jesus before the crucifixion, and would even fight to save his Master, but this was human love. Peter soon denied Jesus, when it looked as though hope was gone. It is after the resurrection. Jesus is talking to Peter. Jesus wants to make sure that Peter understands what it means to love with divine love, Jesus said to Peter, "Simon, lovest thou Me more' than these ?" Peter answered, "Yea, Lord. Thou knowest that I love Thee." Jesus said unto him, "Feed My lambs." 34 THE PIONEER

Again, Jesus asked him, "Lovest thou Me?'' Peter answered, "Yes. Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee." Jesus said "Feed my sheep." The third time. Jesus asked him, "Simon. son of Jonas, lovest thou Me ?" Peter was grieved because Jesus had said unto him the third time, "Lovest thou me ?" Peter answered, "Lor,d, Thou knowest all things ; Thou knowest that I love Thee.'' Jesus said unto him again, "Feed My sheep." Today, Jesus is asking, "DO YOU LOVE ME?" then "FEED MY SHEEP." Not with selfish human love, but with divine, God-given love. Love one another even as 1 have loved you. John 15 : 12. When filled with His love we will seek to help others, not after we have helped ourselves. but denying ourselves. that OTHERS might know the love of God. We need this love that seeketh not its own. (I Cor. 13.) Real joy. peace. and happiness can only come when His divine love fills our hearts. HE IS COMING SOON ! Is our love rooted in the wealth or position of this fading world, or in things that are ETERNAL?

Since writing the abo,ve article Mr. and Mrs Fleming have had to leave the field for furlough. During h,is term on the field Mr. Fleming ,has had repeated attacks of malaria. The latest attack, which was so severe as to decide the matter of their furlough, came just before they left Singapore in July. Several hundreds of souls have been saved in this open air and Gospel Tent work. Over fifty places have been visited. But it is only a beginning as compared with what remains to be done. We ,hope after the rains, next year, to reopen this work. We need a new Gospel Tent. 35 THE PIONEER THE CHURCH IN OUR HOME Mrs. H. A. Pixon A visitor leaving us for the outsii.ki.wor~d,~'wouldmost surely conclude his "Bread and Butter" letter with, "Greet the church that is in thy house." Twice each Sunday and again on Wednesday evening our front room is turned into, a chapel. With tables and chairs pushed back, the floor lamp placed where stumbling feet and awkward elbows cannot knock it over, and knickknacks put out of the reach of restless fingers. every semblance ol our livingroom is changed. Then additional chairs are arranged in rows, supplemented by a number of benches. The blackboard or Visual Teaching Board with pictures, and an interpreter complete the equipment. The room, formerly a store. hence of huge dimensions, still does not permit seating capacity for the crowd of people attending the services. However, the entire front is made up of folding doors. These opened, turn the room and large veranda into one, thereby giving us twice the usual space: Those fearing to enter or feeling that their clothes are not suitable. stand on the side-porch. in the yard, or lean against the fence. Chinese, Dyaks and Malays. (mostly Chinese, consequently the interpreter). make up the audience. The aged, the young, and babies. moreover the lame. halt and near-blind come. The sartorial attire is most 'diverse in cut. fit. quantity and quality. The men arrive in costumes ranging from pajamas to up-to-date white suits, while the women appear in any part or combination of native apparel. pajamas or European vesture. During our furlough some one said to me. "Religion must mean more to you in Borneo than it does to us in America." 36 THE PIONEER

Perhaps ! But. to be a child of God means everything to the Borneo Christian, whether he be Chinese or Dyak. Apparently. at least it seems so to me. the hght of the Gospel radiates with greater brilliancy f;om dark faces than from white. While looking over the congregation 1 have often wished that some of our friends at home could enjoy a glimpse of the glowing faces that we see each week, and could hear some of the testlmonies. That being impossible. 1 shall let you in on a few of the stories we have recently heard, also some of the scenes we have witnessed. A lovely young woman (Chinese) arose and testified a!; follows : "All of you know that for some time I have been a Christian. Previously, I attended the children's services. Then one evening, because 1 stayed for the regular meeting. my mother ibecame angry. She beat me hard, then ever after forbade my coming. What could I do except obey? My mother is very old, therefore I did not want to go contrary to her wishes, but every day I prayed that the Lord would change her heart. At last my Father in heaven answered my prayers for mother. See, there she is, (pointing her finger at an aged women) right here in this meeting, and she loves the Lord Jesus just as much as I do. She is saved." The town's former "Bad Man" has been converted. In days of yore whenever a fight started, he was the ieader ; a quarrel found !iim upholding one of the participants with animated vigor. To kill meant nothing to him ; in fact, all forms of violence, he loved. After hearing the Story of Salvation, he believed, confessed his sins, and was saved. What a changed.man ! He is now one of the most zealous members of the group. Not being an educated man. neither knowing much about the Bible, he is unable to explain doctrinal points. but he does tell all with whom he meets how 37 THE PIONEER

forgiveness and peace became his. Having exhausted his vocabulary, should the inquirer still be unconvinced. he says, "Come! go with me." Then the doubtful one is unceremoniously marched to the missionary's home. Upon arrival there. this Christian makes clear that the person in question will not accept Christ. Thereupon. the missionary takes over, endeavoring to dispel all doubts and lead another soul to the Saviour, Once this ardent one did not reach the evening service until the benediction was being pronounced. Then he rushed in saying that he was sorry to have missed the preaching, but h- had bcen 'busy entreating others to receive Christ. With him were two poorly dressed, extremely shy women. Excitedly he explained, "These women say they are Christians, but I told them that if they really are they had to come and report to the preacher. It took me a long time to persuade them to enter your home, because they have no appropriate clothes. But here they are, rags and all !" What a happy time we had telling them that Christ does not look upon their dress. but that He does see inside the heart. So far as we could determine, they were true believers. One Sunday evening, our amazement was great, when nearly half of the congregation left shortly after the missionary began his message. We wondered what could have happened, but did not find the answer until later when an over-enthusiastic Christian told us what had occurred. He had suggested to a number of men standing outside that they go inside. Two or three replied, "We are not Christians so do not want to go too near the preacher.". His retort was that they ought to become Christians or leave ...... They left. A member OF the church went to collect a long-standing debt. The Mohammedan had refused to pay. We realized 38 THE PIONEER that unless the Moslem's heart was softened, the money would never be forthcoming. The Christian went praying, then came back praising God that the debt had been paid in full. A Malay, converted from Mohammedanism. who is somewhat reticent, desired to testify. Folding his arms and coughing a couple of times he said, "Listen everybody. I am going to witness, and I want you all to hear. Before I was saved I felt most miserable, but now 1 have peace and joy in my heart." During prayer-meeting another Christian Malay pointing to his waist, asked, "Will you friends please pray that the Lord will heal this spot ol itch." A week later he was praising the Lord that the itch was gone. But. he had a new request, for he declared that Satan had shot him, leaving one of the missiles in the form of a boil. Dyaks testify that they have been delivered from the fear and domination of evil spirits, moreover that all their trust is now centered in the true God. Marvelous blessings are being poured out upon the inhabitants in this district. Scarcely a service closes withou: decisions for Christ. Notwithstanding this, all is not rosy. Opposition and persecution are rampant. Just last week three Christians, a mother with her two daughters, were driven from their home by unbelieving membe;s of the household. How thankful we were to learn that another Christian had opened her home to them. Thus, hour by hour, the #blessingand trials come, but a day never fades into night without our being able to say with the psalmist. "Bless the Lord. 0 niy soul : and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name."