VOL. VII - DECEMBER 1936 - N o . 29

A DvaA using his Blow-fiifir

The Netherlands East Indies Mission of The Christian and Misaionary Alliance

Address: Lageweg 85. Makassar. Celebes. N.E.I.

~~ ~~ ~~~~~~~..~~...~~...~~...~~ .... ~... ~~ ~~~

Directory of Alliance Missionaries of the N. E. I. Rev. R. A . and Mcs. ]affray, Makassar, Celebes Rcv. W. M. and M c a . Post. Makassx. Celebes Rev. G. and M n . Woerner Makassar. Celebes Miss L. F. Marsh, Makasrar, Celebes M i s s M. M. Jaffray. Makassar. Celebes Rev. J. C. and Mrs. Meltzor. Ampenan, Lombok Rcv. J. A. Mouw Balai Sepaeak, via Sintany.

Rev. H. W. Post. Balai Sepoeak. via Sintang.

Rev. G. E. and Mrs. Fisk, Doelongan. East Borneo Rev. E. H. and Mrr. Mickelsan, Malinau via Taarakan, East Borneo Rev. H. A. and Mrs. Dtxon, Melak. via Sarnarinda. East Borneo O n furlough - Rev. J. W. and Mrs. Bn11. Mrs. J. A. Mouw. Rev. C. R. Deibler, Rev. W. E. Presswood, Miss M. E. Kemp.

West Borneo

West Borneo

E D I T O R I A L

- 1937 - Living in days as momentous a s these, w e may well ask the question on the threshold of a new year, W h a t will this year bring forth 7 If ever we were justified in saying that the signs of His coming multiply, w e are today. T h e words O F the old hymn are literally true,

"Kingdoms at their base are crumbling : H a r k His chariot wheels are rumbling : Tell, oh tell of grace abounding ; Whilst the judgment trump is sounding.

2

THE PIONEER

Nations wane, though proud and stately ; Christ, His kingdom hasteneth greatly ; Earth, her latest pangs is summing; Shout. ye saints. your Lord is coming !"

Perhaps the most dangerous element in present day European political conditions is the dictators. who with envious eyes and bitterest hatred are glaring at one another from one end of Europe to the other. It is a time for the saints of God to walk softly. We are no date-setters, but the Christian who does not awaken and see the unprecedented conditions under which we are living today is a foolish Christian.

There is another old chorus that we used to sing,- "I t must be time for the Lord to come, I hear the people say. The stars of heaven are growing dim : Oh, it MUST BE the breaking of the Day.''

Whatever the year may bring forth. may i t find us faithful a t our post of duty, watching, waiting and working for the Lord's return.

MISS MARGARET E. KEMP Again the time has come when we have to say "Good Bye"

to a fellow-missionary as she leaves us for her well-earned furlough. I t is a painful process, not only on account of the breaking of loving ties with her fellow-workers. but again it leaves us short handed, and puts new and heavier burdecs upon others. who already seem to have well nigh all that they can bear. It is at this time that we cry,- "The Harvest truly is great. and the laborers are few !"- and that we pray the Lord of the Harvest that He will thrust forth laborers into His Harvest.

., 1 '

3

TIlE PlONEEa

But, the laborer is not only worthy of his hire, he is wortliy also of the time of which the Lord spoke, when He said to His disciples, "Come ye yourselves apart, and rest a while." OLir misionaries are certainly hard workers, and deserve their time of rest at home. Miss Kemp has worked hard for five ycars in Makassar. Her ministry has been varied indeed. A

good deal of her time has bcen spent in helping to take care of a thousand details in the Mission's office. She has borne a heavy responsibility in the finances of the Mission. This means a ministry and burden in prayer, that others who do I

not have the matter right upon them, cannot know. Miss ~

Kemp has had to meet a big bill for the allowances of 50 or ~

4 i

THE PIQNEEE

more of our student-evangelists working in the field from month to month, and without any regular sauce from which to look for the supply of most of that need.

In addition to this, Miss Kemp has taken regular classes in the Bible School. She took charge of the Women's Bible School when this was opened a year ago. She took a leading part also i n the important work of the Children's Bib!e School held for a month or so each year. W e hope that you will meet Miss Kemp while she IS in the home land, and hear her message.

WHOSE SLU WAS THIS?

When in Shanghai a few months ago, the writer had the privilege of staying in the home of MI. K. S. Lee, a wonder- fully converted Chinese stock-broker. God has done a most, marvellous piece of work in the heart and life of this dear Chinese brother. Not only is every principle of his life changed to absolute Christian honestly. but with a fervor of spirit, rarely seen in these days, our Brother Lee makes it the all important business of, his life to win others to Christ. While I was in his home, he entertained some very prominent gentlemen. both Chines? and European. hut he had most evidently, from beginning to end, only the one purpose in view, and surely he witnessed before them a good confession of what Christ'had done for him.

"K. 5". as he is commonly known, is a Changed Exchange In a little book which he has recently published, he Broker.

starts off on the first page as follows. "To my dear Mother -

"These pages are dedicated to the memory of my mother, who during all her life could neither read nor write one word,

5

THE PIONEER

and who never travelled more than ten miles from her birth place. Born in a pagan environment, she died without Christ- ian faith. WHOSE SIN W A S THIS? "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on H i m in whom they have not believed ? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard ? And how shall they preach except they be sent 7 As i t is written. How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things." (Rom. 10:15)

"Just before our Lord was taken up. He gave this command- ment, 'Ye shall he witnesses unto me. both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea. and in Sarnaria. and unto the u f t e r m o ~ t parts of the earth'. (Acts 1.8) There are millions of mothers all over the world today, born in pagan homes, who will die withoiit knowledge of the true God, unless you and I do our part. WHOSE SIN IS THIS? Shall we ask that embarrassing question again like Jesus asked Peter for the third time ?"

And how shall they hear without a preacher ?

THE PIONEER

FOUNDERS HYMNS

Dr. A . 8. Simpson

Once it was the blessing, now it is the Lord ; Once i t was the feeling, now it is HIS W o r d ; Orcc His gift I wanted, now the Giver own : Once I sought for healing. now Himself alone

Once 'twas painful trying, now 'tis perfect trust; Once a half salvation. now the uttermost : Once 'twas ceaseless holding, now He holds me fast : O ~ c e 'twzs constant drifting, now my anchor's cast.

Once it was my working, His it hence shall be : Once I tried to use Him, now He uses me : Once the power I wanted. now the Mighty One : Once for self I labored, now for Him alone.

Once I hoped in Jesus. now I know He's mine : Once my lamps were dying, now they brightly shine : Once for death I waited : now His coming hail : And my hopes are anchored, s2f3 within the vail.

Chorus All in all forever, Jesus will I sing ; Everything in Jesus, and Jesus everything

The hymn produced on the foregoing page, enlitled. ,.HIM- SELF" by Dr. Simpson. is one that has, perhaps more than any other, been very widely used to the blessing of seeking hearts I t was written at a time when, as now, there are contending schools of thought upon the subject of sanctific- ation. One school emphasizes, probably over -emphasizes, the negative side, our death to sin. The other emphasizes what is sometimes called the "suppression" of the old nature. Dr. Simpson's teaching of sanctification helped many a soul. because he did not emphasize a theory. but pointed men and women, seeking entire sanctification, to the Lord Christ HIM- SELF. His great texts were. "Christ lioeth in nie," "Christ in you, the hope of glory."

Thus in our present hymn he relates his own experience,- how once he sought "a blessing". "a feeling"; how once i t was "painful trying", "ceaseless holding", and "constant drifting." Once it was all his own working. trying selfishly to use the Lord, and to get His power, but NOW it is the Lord Himself. His unchangeable Word. "NOD it is perfect trust". and a n "uttermost salvation." "Now He holds me fast." Now 1 am but the instrument in His Hand. "Now He uses me."

In the closing verse, the Poet says, "Once for death I waited now His coming hail." W h a t a marvellous change is effected in man's heart and life, when his eyes are lifted up above every theory, however good. until he beholds "Jesus only." Let us follow the sentiment and teaching of this blessed poem and follow Christ.

"HIS OWN SELF bare our sins in His own body on the Tree." "HIMSELF took our inhrmit ie j , and bare our sicknesses." Matthew 8 : 17.

1 Peter 2 : 24.

8

THE PIONEER

- N Y A C K -

As I lie on a bed of sickness here in Makassar. there is a picture 06 The Missionary Institute a t Nyack-on-the-Hudson, facing me. curtains opposite, give the impression at the other end of the picture, of great. steep, perpendicular mountains.- the unscal- able mountains of heathenism ! Noticing this I have thought of the hundreds and thousands of young people who have gone out of the doors of that Missionary Institute since it was founded by Doctor A. B. Simpson years ago, and have gone with the courage and faith that the Lord alone can give, to those unsurmountable ranges all over the world. They have attempted the impossible. but they had with them the God with whom nothing is impossible, the One who loves to do impossible things, and even today from one of the farthermost outposts of the Mission field, the gracious wonderful influence ot the Missionary Institute, the memory of its Founder. and the fellowship of its present consecrated staff, is a strength and a comfort in every time of crisis and need. The walls of every Jericho throughout the whole heathen world will yet "fall down flat" before the blast of the Gospel trumpet and the shout of faith, which will bring back the Christ King.

Keep on sending out workers from Nyack! There are plenty of mountains still to be scaled. The time is short ere He will come again.

Strange enough the shadows cast by the window.

"For yet a little while,- how short, how short,- and the Coming One will appear and will not delay." Hebrews 10 : 37 (literal translation.)

9

Trm PIONEEE

HUTS! HUTS!! HUTS!!!

W e read thzt Jesus, when It was day, from the mountain ?op, called his twelve disciples, and sent them forth to preach the Gospel. Later H e called a n d sent forth also the seventy, a n d finally said, to all His disciples, "Go ye into ail the ruorid a n d preach the Gospel". "Ye shall be my witnesses . . . . . . unto the uttermost parts of the earth "

A t the close of each year of Bible School work, w e too have the joy of sending forch those whom ?he Lord hath "called" into His service. Daring the past week the Joint Committee, that is our committee composed equally of foreign missionaries and native brethren, laymen a n d workers. have been prayer- fully deiiberating on the appointments, for a longer or a shorter period of work in the field, of 138 of ou t Bible School students,

I . Fifteen young me3 are being called back to h h k a s s a r wit!i a view to their taking [heir final class work i i l thc Bible School, and to grzdu;?!e.

2. Twen ty others, of a yosnger class, who have Seen serving in the field for one year. a re also returning to the Bible School for further study.

3 . This means that sixteen a re remaining on the field for further training a n d practical soul-winning service.

4. Four others a re taking their second term of service in the field, and going out again [rom Bible School to serve the Lord.

5. The re a re twenty-three more who are a t this time newly appointed for a period in the work of practical soul-winning.

As you wiil see this means coasiderable shifting of our native staff, but as the number of our native Christians is greatly increasing. we dare not relrench, we must pray more

10

To summarize the result5 o i this worlc, we may say -

THE PIONEER

earnestly and faithfully than ever, that the Lord will call out, bring to our Bible School, and in turn "thrust" out into His service many many more for His Name's honor and glory. Above all else, we ask that you pray,- first. that they may be filled with a knowledge of the true Gospel message, and second, that they may be filled with the Holy Spirit, so that they may lead many to Christ.

But, when these students, in answer to your prayers, are sent to us. how are we going to take care of them in Makas- sar ? Let us make a few clear statements regarding our present dormitory accommodation. We have already erected huts on our school property for the accommodation of 60. Our present piece of property will permit us to erect three more huts, which will accommodate 29 more students. I f we have as many students next year as we had this year, this will still leave about 50 students for whom we have no accommodation on the school property. W e have been praying, and looking over our fences, and we believe that there is suitable property adjoining our present land. which can be obtained, and used for the erection of more huts. W e invite our friends to join us in earnest prayer for the money needed to erect these student-huts. and. as He leads. to obtain more property. May the Lord thus enable us to enlarge the place of our tent, to lengthen our cords and strengthen our stakes in this all important ministry of teaching the Word of God in our Bible School. and sending out Spirit-filled native evangelists to the great unoccupied regions of the islands of the N.E.I. where Christ has not been named.

We too like King Saul are recruiting for the Army of the Lord. "And when Saul saw any strong man. or any valiant man, he took him unto him." I Samuel 14 : 52.

THE PIONEER

IXTRODUCED TQ EOWEO

By Rev. H . W . Post

So this is Borneo ! - that's what I was thinking to myself as Mr. Mouw and I were proceeding up the Kapoeas River. The little motor of the launch throbbed away wrth monotonous regularity as it tugged the house-boat, securely fastened to its side. Going up the rmer in so slow and simple a fashion made me feel as though we were re-enacting the days when early settlers plied up the 01' Mississippi.

Our advance up the Kapoeas. and later the Belitang River was stubbornly disputed. The unusually low water had laid bare menacing rocks, exposing u s to huge boulders lurking near the surface. It's a rather queer sensation to be gliding along smoothly, then suddenly to hear a grindmg noise, and realize that the boat is on a rock. T h e motor begins to "chug, chug" more rapidly, but the boat is held fast. Sometimes the situation can be taken care of with the aid of a long pole. Other times, well, you simply jump into the water ar.d pull, push, or lift. There's some really hurried maneuvering then. 1 have been "broken in" properly. Several times we stood in water up to our waists, pushing or pulling the boat in the face of an impetuous current, doing its best to knock u s off our feet.

You know, a thought came to me,- it's when we fail to live In the fulness of the Spirit, and in the "high waters'' of His grace and power, that we become harassed by the "rocks" and "boulders" in our Christian experience.

Since coming to Balai-Sepoeak i t has been my privilege to accompany Mr. Mouw on a four days' trip. W e plodded over the jungle trail in its winding and rolling course, rejoicing In

All this because of low water.

.^

THE PIONEER

the Lord. The weird silence and stillness of the jungle forest were broken by the echoes of our voices, as we sang and conversed.

Every time we neared a village, the Dyaks, aware of our approach, could be heard scampering on the plank floor of the long-house. Then, before our eyes there would burst into sight a stream of brown-skinned humanity, pouring down the notched log that leads to the ground. Racing to greet us. they'd put out their right hand, everyone from the youngest to the oldest clasping ours. Mothers are the same tender, devoted souls, no matter what the shade of their skin may be, for "Mamma" Dyak with her babe in her arms. or bound to her back, would come to greet us too. You know the first thing she would do ? She'd pull out the chubby little brown hand from its hiding, and put it in ours. T h e little fat fingers would press one of ours, we would pat the haby's cheek, and then ''Mamma'' Dyak would be satisfied. She takes care that her babe does not escape the attention of the missionary.

The joy of the Lord surely does f i l l the hearts of these Christian Dyaks. Talk about happy faces! They simply shine with delight and gladness. There is one contrast, how- ever, between the young folk and the older people. It's this,- when the older open their mouths, you're greeted by some old dirty. betel-nut stained teeth, filed or rotted to the gums. The younger people are not so. Since the Lord Jesus came to their village, they have outlawed the betel-nut, and the practise of filing the teeth down to the gums. Believe me, they have teeth now that would adorn any toothpaste "ad".

1 surely was happy to be present at the baptismal service, when a little over three hundred Christians followed the Lord in that blessed ordinance. I t was a great day in Zion ! Hallel- ujah ! At the meeting in the long-house, the hall was crowded

! ?

THE PIONEER

to capacity. Young fellows climbed onto the rafters overhead, peering down from the improvised "balcony", eagerly catching every word spoken. "All hail the power of Jesus' Name". for Dyaks are bowing before Him, giving to the Lord Christ their homage and praise. W h y , in going up the trail, the Christian Dyaks wouldn't permit you l o go on unless you first had a word of prayer with them, and a song or two. I t didn't matter to them whether or not there was a crowd of people waiting at the next village for you to begin another meeting. These folks love the Lord and show it.

O n our return home a touching incident occurred that I'll not soon forget. We stopped at a Christian village for a short visit. The first thing they did was to prepare food for us. Well, they brought out their only table. - having caught the idea from seeing one at the station. I t had four legs - but, oh, what legs ! Each one leaned in a different direction. They jus t trembled in their brave struggle to support the top, a heavy slab of wood. That they didn't collapse will always remain a mystery to me. The head-mar. presided as host, assisted heartily by the other Dyaks. He produced a well- worn towe1;which served as a table-cioth. and deftly spread it over the table. Coffee was then served, - "right powerful" it was too! The joy wi th which that elderly man, a Dyak brother in Christ, served us. and the gentle, Christ-like expression that he wore. as he waited upon us in the most graceful and elaboate style he knew, just blessed my soul. 1 was melled in the presence of such a tender display of the love of Christ in a Dyak heart. He humbly received us as couriers of Christ, and showered upor. us every kindness known to him, doing,it as unto the Lord Jesus. whom he loved. The glory of God filled the place. I praised God from a full heart for His Gospel, which alone can effect such a scene.

14

THE PIONEER

The blessing received from this first visit to the Christian Dyak villages has been a real tonic to my soul. I'm thinking however, of the villages waiting to be enlightened by the "Glad Tidings",- of strongholds still to be pulled down. Let's keep praising God for the victories won, maintaining them by vigilance in prayer, and earnestly beseech Him for the places where Calvary is yet unkown.

THE PIONEER

I n the following article. narrating again the continued work of Grace in the hearts of the long-neglected Dyaks of the Kapoeas district, West Borneo, it is once more demonstrated clearly that this is not a "mass movement" toward Christianity. in the generally accepted meaning of the term. It is a gracious work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of many individuals, leading them each one. through personal conviction of sin. to childlike. simple trust in the Lord Jesus as their only Saviour. And little wonder that by the hundreds and thousands, they seek Him with all their hearts,- for the Gospel has been withheld from them so long. Another 833 have been baptized, making a total in Wes t Borneo field of over 2.000 Christians. and in our work in all Borneo, east and west, a total of over 9,000. Ed.

ANOTHER GLORlOUS INGATHlERING

by Rev. J . Arthur Mourn, West Borneo

- Within the last two months 833 more Dyaks have been

baptized in the Name of the Lord, in our West Borneo field. Many of them had waited fourteen months for this ordinance. and .are so happy now to know that they have really followed the Lord in baptism. As one lad who was just baptized put it, "Toean, I'm very happy now. I've believed, and now I've been baptized, and there is nothing more to worry about any more, except just to keep on believing and following the Lord Jesus Christ !"

Lest some might think that these Dyaks are coming to the Lord easily. and that i t does not mean much for them to

16

THE PIONEER

become Christians, let me give some illustrations of their per- secution.

1 . A Christian young woman who was engaged to a Christian young man has been stolen away by her unbelieving relatives, and taken to another district, and though she wants to return to marry. yet because of the power of the older people over the younger, she is helpless and held captive.

2. About 35 Christian Dyaks were compelled by the unbelieving chief of the village to go and work for the govern- ment for five weeks just at rice planting time. When they returned the heavy rainy season had begun, and they were unable to burn the brush of the field (plowing is not done here). This was a deliberate attempt to ru in their harvest, and make them backslide. After returning from their work, they came and told me their sad story, but they were not despondent, as they had a plan to present to me. They said. as simply as (oulcl be. "Tofan. we need eight days of good sunshine, with no rain. You pray, and we will too. that God will give us this." That night we prayed, all of us, and [or eight days there was no rain. except a very slight sprinkling each night, and on the ninth day they burned their brush. God bless their simple faith! Where is the Lord God of Elijah ?

To a t least fifty of these men and women on becoming Christians, it has meant immediate separation from their wives or husbands, as the unbelieving wife or husband refuses to 'live with one who has believed on the Lord Jesus Christ.

A little boy of eight determined to follow Christ of his own accord. He was faithful for four months even though his father persecuted him and made fun of him. One day he asked his father for a chicken which he wished to trade for a little jacket, that he might wear to church on Sunday. His

I will limit myself to seven incidents.

He is waiting for Elijahs to call on Him. 3.

4 .

17

THE PIONEEB

father refused. scoffingly saying, "If you are going to follow Jesus, you cannot have any chickens." This broke the little fellow all up. a n d weeping as though his heart would break. he told me that he could not stand i t alone. I've prayed much for him, - perhaps you'd like to help.

A dear old mother heard the story of redemption and believed. She set u p her family altar and prayed, with the result that her son left the hone and would not live there anymore. She said, "My heart is so heavy because of him."

I n one village a father. mother. and daughter are the only believers. They have sutTeved much persecution and are made sport of wheri they pray. The daughter said, "I can't stand i t any longer. but in my heart I serve the Lord'' The mother with tears in her eyes taid. "1 ;t I 1 love lesus. Toean. but the road is very hard." The Jather IS a strong believer.

Two boys, eight and ten years old, were hired out for eight cents per day to a Mohammedan. They worked hard because they needed the money. But the Mohammedan kicked them when they closed their eyes to pray and laughed at them saying, "It's no use to pray for no one hears you". The result was that the little fellows quit, and went back to their village. without the few articles they desired to earn.

There are some I cannot relate to you. But let us remember that wherever the Holy Spiritis working in power. die drvil is bosy with all his cohorts. These dear Dyaks need your prayers. and so do we. Many times when the enemy is Fiyhtinq hardest. we pray "Lord lay the burden on some faithful prayer-warrior at home, and help them to pray through.'' Let us all keep in tune with heaven so that when the call for help comes from the foreign fields of the world we will hear the summons to pray.

IS

5.

6 .

7.

These are only a few incidents.

TiIE PIONEER

THE SHEDDING OF EEOOD

By Rev. H . A. Dixon

After man's disobedience in the garden, God inaugurated the shedding of blood in sacrifice, as a n expression of faith in the coming Redeemer who would forever put away sin by the shedding of His Blood and the offering of Himself. This work of redemption was completed "once for all" at Calvary. But Satan, who brought about the fall of mankind, has always been opposed to any method for his deliverance. He is especially hostile to the Blood of Christ, and attempts to deceive man into doing away with blood altogether, or into substituting the blocd of animals, and even then not as an offering to God. but to the devil himself. Missionaries encounter this in prac- tically all heathen countries where blood is used for the propitiation of evil spirits. The Dyaks of Borneo are no exception, and hundreds of fowls and animals are sacrificed yearly for this purpose.

The blood rites usually follow the order of a ceremony called a "belian''. In the Mahakam district there are two kinds : one, the less noisy, during which the priest, or medicine-man. with his assistants merely sit on the floor while chanting and keep- ing time by shaking heavy metal bracelets. T h e other. when the priests dance around a strip of hanging cloth or an improv- ised altar, to the accompaniment of gongs, or bracelets. and make peculiar intonations at regular intervals. The latter is far noisier, with several people tap dancing on a wooden floor. and a demon-possessed medicine-man chanting at the top of his voice, all in unison. It is much like the bedlam and din of a boiler factory working at full blast.

These rites are held a t night as a rule, except when the

20

THE PIONEE&

kiliing of mimals takes place, and sound both weird and bloodcurdling. They last from one night to two weeks, and while in progress make sleep almost an impossibility. After the missionary has endured them for several nights he is compelled to return home with his frayed nerves in “rags and tatters.” Yet, the Dyaks seem never to tire of these clamorous observances. but rather look forward to them as occasions of amusement and fellowship. Furthermore, the guests believe they are being sympathetic and helpful to the person or persons in need by attending, especially the feasts. and eating all they can.

There is no definite cost to a ”belian” as money is not used. Expenses however may range from a few, cents to several hundred guilders, depending upon the size and elaborateness of the ceremony. Decorations. food for the guests, spirit altars. and wages for the priests must all be supplied by the family or village issuing the invitations.

Here are a few occasions when a “belian’’ is used. 1. Blood plays a prominent part at child-birth. Owing to

unsanitary conditions and lack of medical care the mortality Iate is great among women and children. For this reason a ”belian” is considered necessary, either at the t ime of birth, or on the child’s first anniversary. But whether there is a ceremony or not. blood must be offered as a protection for the mother and child. Once we were present when a child was born in the village long-house. Immediately after its birth the fathe; ran to the rice field, killed a ch,icken and smeared its blood on the walls of their shack. This was to shield their home and its inhabitants from the attacks of evil spirits

Children are initiated into these turbulent ceremonies at a tender age. Upon our arrival at a village we learned that a ..6e/ian” was in progress for a year old child. Desiring to hold

21

THE PIONEER

a Gospel meeting, and not being able to halt the proceedings. even temporarily, we finally decided to conduct our service a t the other end of the building in opposition to it. But - the ,,belian” soon silenced us !

2. Blood must also be shed in case of disaster, sickness, or plague. Recently, during a storm, the wind lifted a portion of the dilapidated roof from a long-house. The older men claimed that the enraged demons had torn i t off with their hands. Forthwith they made preparations for appeasing the “hantus” as they call them.

Because of sickness and resultant death, the Dyaks are a vanish,ing race. Their knowledge of sanitation and the healing art is nil. In fact they believe that all ailments and disaster:i are caused solely by malignant spirits. There are few perfectly well and healthy Dyaks, and when plague comes, whole villages are literally wiped out. W e heard of one settlement being visited by smallpox. Every person died with the exception of one man who burned the “accursed” building. then moved to another location.

Moreover, the Dyaks know nothing about medicine or its. use. W h y not teach them? That is the big task, for they prefer the old methods to the new. Theirs is a life of fear, spent in a continuous and vain attempt to pacify the wrath of demons seen in every kind of misfortune. .This they try to do with the blood of animals, and endless ceremonies. Salvation alone is the panacea for all their ills, and only conversion can change their vile customs and natures.

3. Again, they offer blood in supplication for good rice crops. the protection of their homes, and in payment of vows made to the spirits. Sometimes rites leading up to the slaughter of animals last for many days. Dyaks from neigh- boring villages are invited to attend : the large gathering

n LL

THE PlONEER

reminds one somewhat of a county fair in the U.S.A. The people vie with one another in wea:iiig the best clothes and the brightest colors. There are large feasts, rattan games, and cock fights, while gambling and trading is the order of the day. A priest and assistants are paid to conduct the "belian''. women pound the rice and prepare food while the men and guests look on, play games, and pigs are shiightered at regiilar intervals, their flesh eaten, and the blood presented to the spir,its.

On the final day, a great number of the aforementioned animals are butchered. W h e n finances permit. one or more water buffaloes are added. In the meantime every family has erected a small shack, a replica of their home in the ricefield. Shortly before slaying the buffalo each family kills a pig or chicken, and smears its blood on their miniature dwelling.

The slaying of the buffalo is the most barbarous, cruel and bloodthirsty. rite we have ever witnessed. The beast is fastened by a length of braided rattan to a highly carved and grotesque pole. It is then teased, stabbed with spears, and chased around the stake until it plunges from side to side in a wild frenzy of pain, rage, and fear. The men stand j u s t out of reach, thus no matter which way the poor brute goes i t is sure to get stabbed. Enthusiasm mounts high. The spearmen seem to become devil-possessed, and fanatically concentrate on killing the animal in cold blood. Again and again it is jerked off its feet by the length of rattan, and repeatedly ir is mercilessly speared until its whole body is one mass of wounds and spurting blood. At last, falling from sheer exhaustion. i t receives its death blow. Then while priests chant over its prostrate body, men fill containers with the oozing red liqiiid, subsequently sprinkling it on their persons, their houses, and their rice fields.

THE PIONEER

4. Finally. blood is used in connection with death and burial. i t is thrown into the air to expel pernicious spirits, and daubed on the coffin and other implements to be interred with the corpse. Further, it is smeared on the bodies of the bereaved, their room in the longhouse, and their shack in the rice field. In short, it is used to protect the living and to insure the dead a safe journey to his paradise.

Oh, the folly, emptiness, and futility of it all ! But, t h i s continual use of blood gives the missionary ail opportunity to preach Christ, and His atoning sacrifice. W e gladly tell of His Blood which is infinitely greater than the blood of all the animals in all the world. It alone is acceptable to God. and can make atonement for sin. Thank God for the few who have found the truth, and been saved by the "Blood of the Crucified One." May the Holy One enlighten thousands of other darkened hearts to see that :

"Not all the blood of beasts, On Jewish altars slain, Could give the guilty conscience peace. Or wash away the stain. But Christ the Heavenly Lamb, Takes all our sins away ; A sacrifice of nobler name, And richer blood than they."

None but those who by simple faith in HisEBlood have all their sins washed away can have their names written i n the Lamb's Book of Life. I t is written "There shall in no wise enter i n t o i t any thing that defileth . . . . but they which are written in the Lamb's Book of Life." Rev. 21 : 27.

24

THE PIONEER

AMONG THE QYAWS By Mrs. Mickelson

On the day that we caught our first glimpse of the shores of Borneo our hearts were thrilled beyond measure. But not more than at the time when I stood on the banks of the river and watched the native boat glide away in which my husband started off for the wilds of the jungles of Borneo. I knew there would be souls saved, Christians edified and strengthened. If we are faithful in giving out the Word, He will water it so that i t will bring forth f ru i t . I knew that in Jesus' name, souls would be blessed. There was a great calmness in my soul, praise in my heart, blessed peace and glGriOUS victory. Hallelujah ! The joy was not less, in fact it mus t have been more. than at the time we sailed away from our homeland to "the regions beyond". I knew not when I would see him again, but the presence of the Lord Jesus was very real. Where Jesus is 'tis Blessed. I say it was a great privilege to send him off to the Dyaks. Ah, indeed it was a great privilege to know that he was taking the "Light of the Gospel'' to them.

Since my husband left. three letters have come from him. Perhaps some of the contents will be of interest to you. I will copy some parts verbatim, tha t you may be drawn in prayer for the Dyaks, and for us as well.

"lt was just getting dark when we reached the Dyak long- house.! W e are tired and hungry, and desire to get under cover, and get something into our craving stomachs. But what is that we hear 7 I t sounds as though something unusual has happened. Upon entering the long-house we soon discover what has happened. One of the older members of the family has died. Thus there is much sorrow and distress.

"I t would touch the hearts of our Christians in the homeland if they could witness the scene in this room tonight. The

25

TIP: PIONEER

house is crowded. Perhaps fifty or more Dyaks are present. Ihey are getting ready to drown their sorrows by drinking rice-wine. I can see five huge jars of this terrible wine ready for them. In each lar there are tour to six long bamboo pipes through which they sip the wine, They seem to be a little backward about going ahead with their performance becanse of my presence. M y guess is that there must be one hundred gailons of this terrible, horrid-smelling rice-wine. They had to move one ol the largest jars to make room for my cot. When the wind comes from one direction I get the odor of the wine ; when it comes from another I get the smell of their pipes which they are smoking. and when the air comes from the third direction. I get the smell of some pigs that are shut up some where near here.

"Providentially. I feel that the Lord has so arranged it that we stop here tonight rather than at another long-house. I brought them a rounded message of the plan of Salvation. These Dyaks had never heard the Gospel before. They listened with rapt attention, and seemed very interested. After the message, I asked them questions, to see if they had understood the truth. By their answers, I a m sure that they got the main points. They have no comfort apart from the drowning of their sorrows in uncon- sciousness by drinking this rice-wine.

"The body of the dead man has been placed in the corner of the room which previously had been decorated with red material. The color red is to protect the body from the devil. Several large Dyak boys with long bamboo poles in their hands are standing in a circle around the body. They begin t3 sing. and presently Dyak girls come into the room. They are all dressed in red cloth. They joln the boys, and all form a line to march to the end of the village, and back again, the

-

Oh, the darkness of these souls !

26

THE PIONEER

boys arriving back first. singing lustily ; and the girls answering from afar. Oh, what a different choir they will make when they sing the 'Songs of Zion'.

"It was morning when the noise finally stopped. After they had taken much wine, and were too tired and drowsy to sing and dance any more, they lapsed into silence.

"In another village where we stopped this morning. I noticed small square tray affairs hanging from the ceiling of the Dyak long-house. Upon enquiring I was told that they were used for food such as, rice, fish, chicken. This food is placed for the devil. T h e Dyaks do this in case of sickness or sorrow, so that the devil may be appeased. They all seem to know that the evil one ,is the source of their sorrows and sickness."

Oh, what darkness ! What spiritual blindness ! There are countless Dyaks like these, without hope, without joy, or peace. or love. Dear friends in the homeland, will you not remember to pray for these folks 1 They will spend eternity somewhere. They need your prayers. Many are the pit- falls and snares laid lor the weak Christians. Pray that theymay become strong, staunch men and women that are rooted and grounded in rhe Word of God. Pray for the missionary [ha t he may be guided at ail times by the Holy Spirit. Prayer is the only weapon that will accomplish the great task that is before us.

W h a t a blessed privilege is yours ! Think of the future Day when the Christians from every tribe and nation will come marching in. Will you not be the happier then, if you can feel and say, "I had a part in the salvation of the souls of those Dyaks. I was Faithful in praying for the missionary. that he might be kept well, and be led by the Spirit." Ah, your souls will bound with joy because you were faithful. and great will be your reward.

For I was faithful in praying for them.

THE PIONEEE

BKANDS PLUCKED FEOM THE BURNING

Rev. 7. C. Meltzer, Ampenan, Lornbok

Early one morning before starting out for the day's witness- ing and preaching, we received a very agreeable surprise. A Mohammedan had come to us from a distance of about twenty- five miles to hear the Gospel. This is wonderful, for usually the Gospel has to be taken to them, and in the majority of cases i t is hard to get a hearing. Bu t . we praise God for send- ing this man around. For about an hour the Gospel was preached to him. and at the conclusion, he declared most emphatically his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He said his intention was to believe on Jesus, and to follow Him. O n subsequent visits we have been amazed, listening to his test- imony, and noticing his boldness. Without our having broached the subject, he has asked to be baptized. Upon further questioning he gave this testimony : "For many years 1 have been a zealous Mohammedan, praying five times a day, but I was never sure of salvation, either in this life or in the life to come. Since 1 have heard about Jesus, and have believ- ed on His Name, I a m sure of salvation. If I a m baptized i t will mean much persecution. but it is nothing in comparison to the joy and peace I now have. I know God will be with me. and keep me when I a m persecuted for His sake." In the same village where this man lives. there are about fifty more u,ho are dissatisfied with Mohammedanism. and who are seeking for that which IS genuine and real. A short time ago we set out for this village, but did not get very far because of tire trouble. B u t by the time you praying friends read this article, this village will have been visited. and these hungry hearts contacted.

28

TIW PIONEEK

Ever since arriving in Lombok our hearts' cry has been that God would give u s fruit from among these Sasak people. Praise God, we believe He has heard and answered prayer. In addition to the man just referred to, there is another MO- hammedan, who was led to the Lord by one ol our Balinese Christians. Soon these two will be baptized, and it is hoped that many others will follow.

Did you ever pray for a certain thing, and then find yourself surprised when the answer came 7 This is not quite the case with us, although we are somewhat surprised because of the manner in which God is answering prayer. Much prayer has ascended to the Throne. that the Lord would open up the hearts of the Sasaks to the Gospel. God is doing "exceed- ing abundantly above all that we could ask or think." There is a preaching service every Sunday evening in the village where some of our Balinese Christians live. W e usually take the baby organ and the trombone along to this service. The first time the natives heard the trombone played in this parti- cular vil:age it had a great effect upon them. As soon as the village is readied. the trombone IS used to call the people to service. The larger part of the audience is composed of strong Mohammedans, who boast of the fact that every day they turn their faces to the east and pray, "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is his Prophet " They do not straggle in by the twos or threes, but literally by the score. There are usually about one hundred of them present, and they listen attentively to the preachicg of the Gospel. As yet there have been no visible results among them, but our hearts are greatly encouraged in that they come to hear the words of Life. Please pray for them, that the Holy Spirit will flash home the light of the truth into their darkened hearts.

And would you believe i t 7

20

THE PIONEER

Another experience that greatly encouraged us, and that caused much rejoicing, was to witness a n old Balinese man, past seventy years of age, confess his faith in the Lord Jesus. H e gave a ringing testimony of what God had done For h i m . He had been sick for quite some time, and as is customary among the Balinese. he sought for help by resorting to their heathen practices of trying to placate the angry gods. Of course he failed to receive any help. He said he remembered having heard about the God W h o is All-Powerful, so he prayed to Him, promising Him that he would believe on Him, if his prayer would be answered, and he be made better. God rook this heathen man at his word, and today he is up and around again. As soon as he is a little stronger, he desires to be baptized. W e commend this man to your prayers also. In another Mohanmedan village inEastLombok. isanother little group of believers. though as yet they have not been baptized. Just recently the leading spirit among these people signified his desire to be baptized shortly. How we rejoice and praise God for these tokens. and evidence of what He is yet going to do. However, the enemy is working mightily. giving strong oppos- ition a t every turn of the road, but we know he is a defeated foe. "Greater is H e that is in you, than he that is in the world." As we approach the close of this dispensation, and the coming of the Lord draweeh nigh, the attacks of the evil one are most fierce indeed, but "if God be for us, who can be against us ? "

There are other villages also where the Lord has given openings, and prayer is constantly being offered, that many of these who have been bound and blinded for so many years by the devil. will be liberated. The i r onlyrernedy is the Gospel O F our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. which is stiil "the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth."

30

THE PIONEER

A PERSONAL TESnMONY

bY

of

Pastor Tirnofhy S. K . Dzao

Shanghai Alliance Church __

I was born in a heathen home, and so I did not have any chance to hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ when I was young. My mother is a Buddhist, and often recites Bud- dhist chants when she finds spare time. When I was a young boy, I participated in many sinful acts, such as gambling, going to movies, telling lies, stealing etc. W h a t a chief of little sinners I then was !

O n one occasion he visited our home, and told m e some interesting things about the children in his Sunday School. And then he asked me whether I would like to go with him or not 1 Q u t of curiosity I went the following Sunday. This was July 3rd. in the year 1921. and it was my first visit to a Christian Sunday School. 1 found it was of course a different type of school compared with ordinary day schools. I enjoyed the singing of the Christian Hymns, and was interested in hearing the stories of the Bible. After that Iirsi Sunday, I continued to go to that Sunday School for about lour years.

In the year of 1924 I was baptized in a Methodist Church, and became a proIessing Christian. though my life was just the same as before, for no change had taken place in my heart. T h e year after I was baptized. a special Summer Conference was held in Shanghai, China. The Lord blessed that Con- ference in a wonderful way. Thousands of people attended

I had a cousin. who was a Sunday School teacher.

I was just a boy.

31

THE PIONEER

the meetings, and were saved and blessed. During that Con- ference 1 was greatly persecuted by my mother, who forced me to remain in the house, for fear that I would "leave home forever. and follow the Lord Jesus." I t was not until the ninth day of the Conference that I managed to attend the first meeting. When 1 went into that Church I at once felt the Presence of the Lord. My heart was greatly moved by the Chorus which the people were singing, namely,- "All to Jesus I surrender". It brought tears to my eyes when I heard that singing. I could not understand the message which the Preacher was preaching, for all I knew up to that time were Bible stories. Yet I was delighted to see such a large congre- gation, and decided to come again the next day:

Rav. Timothy S. K. Dzno

32

THE PIONEER

The following day, it was with great difficulty that I again managed to run away from my mother, and attend my second nee t ing . My mother, of course, was very rruch displeased and angry with me. and gave me a severe heating when I got homc that night. That very night also. my mother said "If you want to be a Christian, the day you believe your Jesus, I will refuse to eat, and prepare to die because of your Christian belief." She actually refused her food for several days ! Although many friends and my father urged her to eat. yet it was all in vain. At last she said, "Well. there is only one condition on which I can promise you (i.e. my father and friends) to eat my meals again, and that is. that my son must be sent away out of my sight." M y father and others came and told me of my mother's decision. I promised at once, for I was willing to suffer for the One who had suffered so much for me on the Cross, as well as for the sake of my mother's health. T h e agreement was made, and I was driven o u t of the home, and compelled to remain away for twenty-nine days !

Because the Holy Spirit continued to work in the hearts ot many people, the Conference of that year continued for forty or more days. I attended the meetings during the time of my absence from home. I t was a t that time that 1 was really saved and greatly blessed by the Lord. In answer to prayer I went back home again. O n arriving, I met my mother at the door. She would not permit me to enter again, unless I prom- ised her one thing, and that was that I would not go out of the

Since this did not require the giving up of my faith, I consented.

After my return home, the Holy Spirit continued His work in my heart moment by moment. I was convicted of my past sins. and by His help I confessed all my sins before God,

33

- house on Sundays.

THE PIONEER

and before my father, mother, sisters and one of the neighbors. I also restored threefold to one from whom I had taken money dishonestly. I hated sin as never before. Even t h e smallest sins were revealed to me by the Holy Spirit and as 1 put them away by His help, I was cleansed by the precious Blood. Only thus did real peace and joy come to my heart ! The glorious Holy Spirit filled me day by day, and I was then entirely a new man in Christ Jesus. At the same time I surrendered myself completely to the Lord and promised Him to "Pray and Preach" wherever H e called me. The love of God filled my heart and I had a constant longing that souls be saved. In the year 1928 the Lord led m e to give up my profession as school-teacher, and consecrate my whole time to His service. Since then I have served the Lord in The Alliance Church in Shanghai. China. These have indeed been eight happy years of work and fellowship.

In recent months. the Lord has been speaking to me about doing some evangelistic work farther afield. After much prayer He led me to come to the N.E.I. Arriving in Ma- kassar Oct. 20, 1936, I was met by Alliance friends. I t was a great Joy to see the wonderful group of students in the Bible School. It was myfiist s:ght of the work of the Mighty Hand of God who called out all those young men to beHisZlaborers from so many different parts oi these islands. O h what a joy it will be when we see our Christ. and will sing that new song together. saying. "Thou art wor thy . . . . . for Thou hast redeenied men to God by Thy Blood out of EVERY KINDRED, and TONGUE, and PEOPLE, and NATION". Rev. 5 : 9. May we all pray to our Heavenly Father, that He will raise up. and send forth many of His chosen laborers to preach this blessed Gospel to the stil! benighted NATIONS, KIND- REDS, TONGUES, and PEOPLES, before He comes again !

34

1HE PIONEER

CALLED TO SERVE THE LORD IN THE SOUTH SE.4 ISLANDS

by M r James Yen

References to the isles or the islands have a very important place in Holy Scriptures, especially in the latter part of Isaiah. I a m greatly impressed in my spirit whenever I read those portions of the Word . It says, "The isles shall wait for His law." Truly, the Gospel must be preached everywhere throughout the world, for "the knowledge of the Lord shall f i l l the earth as [he waters shall cover the sea." The time of the complete fulfilment of this prophecy is very near. Praise the Lord that His Gospel is now reaching the darkest islands. All the peoples of the earth shall look unto Jesus and be saved. Millions throughout the world have already experienced this salvation In their lives since the preaching of the Gospel began. The natives of these islands can find no other way to be saved for Jesus said, " I am the door" - the only Door to enter Heaven.

I was saved in 1928. and m y Bible studies at Nanking began tha t same year, and continued till 1932. M y desire to come to the N.E.I. and do pioneer work originated when I first met Mr. ]affray at Kuling and Nanking in the summer of 1930. The dream of long ago is now realized. Praise the Lord ! 1 did not know anything much about the South Seas when I graduated from the Nanking Theological Seminary, but the Lord's thoughts and ways are higher than ours, and like H e spoke to Philip. He spoke to me. "Arise and go toward the south". At first I was greatly perplexed when think- ing of going south, because I am a native of Central China.

35

~

THE PIONEER

Finally I went to the Wuchow Bible School in South China, in 1932, where I taught until the summer of 1936. Praise the Lord for this, the first stepping stone in my coming to the N.E.I.

T h e purpose of my coming here is to assist Mr. Jaffray in his Chinese literacy work, also to help as a teacher in the Makassar Bible School, and to take charge of the Chinese Chapel in the city. There are several things we have to learn. The first and most important 1s the study of the Malay langu- age. It is also necessary to learn to ride a bicycle. which 1 find is no easy task. Praise the Lord he has given me a love for language study, so 1 am confident that He will help me to master the "Melajoe" also.

Please pray for me and my wife. The Lord has gzven us the verse. "Not by might, nor by power. but by M y Spirit", and we believe that this is the secret of fruitfulness in His service.

"HOW GREAT IS THAT DAELKNESS!"

by R. A . ]a[fray. Makassar. N.E.I.

I wonder what our Lord really meant when He said, "If the light that is in thee be darkness".- Probably H e referred to the knowledge that there is only one true God. That truth was, however, combined in the religion of the Pharisees of His day, with an attempt to worship and please God by a system of dead works, and outward, empty forms. There was this light with the Jew, b u t i t was darkness,- and oh, how great was that darkness!

All this very sadly fits the case of modern Mohammedamsm or in fact any false religion.- The Moslem loudly boasts of

36

TIiE PIONEER

his faith in only one God. He proudly considers himself far superior to all others on this account, infinitely superior and more enlightened than the poor heathen who worships idols, or even "the Christian infidel", whom he claims worships a trinity of Gods. But. oh, the soul deadness ! The terrible. awful darkness ! W h o can tell horn great is tha t darkness ?

He makes his prayers five times a day, - this son of Ishmael, - and carries out his strict religious ceremony. Then he can live what kind of a wicked life he likes. and IS absoliitely confident that his soul is saved. His religion is a religion of works. If he keeps his outward religious ceremonies. he may indulge in all kinds of devilish sorcery and licentious sms, quietly, serenely, wipe his mouth, and look up to heaven again, and say his prayers. The Moslem is absolutely blind. The light that is in him is, darkness, and oh, how great is that darkness !

W e have jus t made a few days trip around the southern coast, and up the eastern coast of this arm of the Celebes. The population is dense, there being two races, the Makassar people and the Boegis people. They are bigoted, ignorant Moslems, and an awful cloud of thick darkness. heavy with the very atmosphere laden with wicked spirits, COVEIS these people.

The efforts of our faithful student-evangelists. whom we visited enroute. are all but fruitless. Here and there only. they find one and another open heart. If these really belleve the Gospd they are at once possessed with a horrible [ear to make confession of their faith by baptism. They fear for their very lives. How great is this darkness !

W h o is sufficient for these things ? How can we scatter this terrible Satanic darkness ? Person- ally. I had frankly and honestly to confess before, the Lord that I was not sufficient. W h a t I have O F the Gospel message

37

!

My soul was troubled. 1 i

THE PIONEER

does not contain the power sufficient to move and change these hearts of stone. It is sufficient to bring others to salvation, but does not move the Moslem. Wha t I know about the ministry of prayer, and its power, is not equal to the task of enlightening this thick, black darkness. Surely the Lord must give us something more. something which we do not now possess, i f we are to conquer this great wicked Prince of the Celebes. We are deeply exercised before Him in prayzr for this.

O n our return trip to Makassar. after having visited a num- ber of places over a period of three days, we stopped the last night at a place called Kalose. in the very centre of this part of the Celebes. I went to bed tired in body, and weary in spirit.. In a dream there appeared before me a demon-monster at the foot of my bed, glaring at me hatefully and angrily. I n my dream I impulsively raised both my feet and kicked with all my might, right into his face ! The result was he vanished, and I awakened ! I suppose you would call it a nightmare. Hc surely was a demon anyway, perhaps. the Prince of the Cele- bes, and I could tell he did not love me ! I committed myself faithfully to the Lord, and believing that He covered me with His protecting Blood, 1 went off to sleep again. After a chap- ter of accidents the next day, we reached Makassar.

Shortly after arriving in Makassar. the writer was suddenly smitten with illness. He is now, thank God, rapidly recover- ing. and we [eel and believe that in all these things we are "more than conquerors through Him that loved us.'' I t seems as though if we will be soldiers. and venture out on to the battle field. and dare to cross the line. and trespass into the enemy's territory. that we are almost sure to get shot at and bit. I t has proved actually true, at least on this field, that every time we have made a forward step into new

38

territory, we have been met by some strong angry resist- ance by the enemy. But in every case, praise the Lord. He has made us not only ccnquerors. but "more than con- querors" through Him that loved us. We covet the co-oper- ntion of men and women a t home, who know how to pray. so that in this terrific conflict with the powers of darkness, we sliall not be overcome, but shall be overcomers.

........................................................................................ APPRECIATION !

We thank our readers who have sent us notes of apprecia- tion, saying that they enclosed an offering to help i n thc publication of The Pioneer, and this is greatly appreciated also. May we again say that we are dependent on you and your contributions for the issuing of The Pioneer. We charge nu subscription price, and we are glad to send the magazine fre- to all who are prayerfully interested,- but, thus all the more do we need your support by free-will offerings for the expenses of The Pioneer. As the Lord prospers you, will yoc kelp us in this last great task of sending forth the last Gospcl call to those who have never heard i t , before the Lord co:.'c.i hack to earth again 7

? ;

I

i

\ r 1

, ........................................................................................

39

M A P ' O F THE N.E.I.

A N D SURROUNDING

COUNTRIES