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Then the corpse is carried out into the public part of the house, and is covered with a Dyak sheet. By his side are put his belongings—his clothes, his implements of work, his shield, his sword, his spear—which are to be buried with him, or placed on his grave.
Early the following morning the body, wrapped in mats, and secured with a light framework of wood, is carried on the shoulders of four men, and, accompanied by their friends, they go to the jungle. When they come to the spot where a tree is to be cut down for the coffin, a halt is made. A fowl is killed, and the blood collected in a cup, and mixed with a little water. Each person present is touched with the blood, to propitiate the gods, and to secure safety from any evil consequences to the persons engaged in the funeral rites. They now set to work to make the coffin. A tree is felled and the required length cut off. This is split in two, and each half is hollowed out. The corpse is then placed inside this rude coffin, the two parts of which are now firmly lashed together with cane.
They then proceed either on foot or by boat to the place of burial. The trees in a Dyak burial-ground are not cut down, so there is nothing to distinguish it from any ordinary jungle. The Dyaks regard a cemetery with superstitious terror as the abode of spirits, and never go to it except to bury their dead, and when they do this, they do not stay longer than they can help, but hurry away lest they should meet some spirit from the other world.
The graves are rarely more than three feet deep. The Dyaks dare not step into the grave to deepen it, because, according to their superstitious ideas, any one who does such a thing will die a violent death. They use no spade or hoe to turn up the earth, but cut the soil with their choppers, and throw up the mould with their hands. They dig the grave as far as their arms will reach, and no farther.
When the corpse is buried, there are placed either in the grave or on it, for use in the next world, various articles of clothing, personal ornaments, weapons of warfare, implements of farm work, and even instruments of music, according to the sex and natural proclivities of the dead. Some of these belong to the departed; others are given by friends as tokens of affection.
When the grave has been filled with earth, it is fenced round, and food and drink are placed in the enclosure, and at either end something is put to indicate the sex and favourite occupation of the deceased. If the grave be that of a warrior, it is roofed and decorated with streamers, and such of his weapons as are not buried with him are hung about, and the ground around is palisaded and spiked. The grave of the hunter is distinguished by his spear, his blow-pipe and quiver, together with the trophies of the chase—stags' antlers, and boars' tusks. Some articles of feminine attire or work—spindles, petticoats, waist-rings, or water-gourds—indicate the graves of women.
CHAPTER XIV
A DYAK LEGEND
There are many fairy-tales and legends known to the Dyaks of the present day. As they have no written language, these have been handed down by word of mouth, from generation to generation, from ancient times. These tales and legends may be divided into two classes: 1. Those which are mythical and related as such, which are simply meant to interest and amuse, and in these respects resemble the fairy-tales familiar to us all. 2. And those believed by them to be perfectly true, and to record events which have actually taken place. These form in fact the mythology of the Dyaks. The following legend is related by them as explaining how they came to plant rice, and to observe the omens of birds:
THE STORY OF SIU
Many thousands of years ago, before the paddy plant was known, the Dyaks lived on tapioca, yams, potatoes and such fruit as they could find in the jungle. It was not till Siu taught them to plant paddy[3] that such a thing as rice was known. The story of how he came to know this article of food, and how he and his son, Seragunting, introduced it among the Dyaks is here set forth.
[Footnote 3: Paddy—rice in the husk.]
Siu was the son of a great Dyak chief. His father died when he was quite a child, and at the time this story begins, he had grown to manhood, and lived with his mother, and was the head of a long Dyak house in which lived some three hundred families. He was strong and active, and handsome in appearance, and there was no one in the country round equal to him either in strength or comeliness.
He proposed to the young men of his house that they should take their blow-pipes and darts and go into the jungle to shoot birds. So one morning they all started early. Each man had with him his bundle of food for the day, and each went a different way, as they wished to see, on returning in the evening, who would be the most successful of them all.
Siu wandered about the whole morning in the jungle, but, strange to say, he did not see any bird, nor did he meet with any animal. Worn out with fatigue, he sat down to rest under a large tree, and, feeling hungry, he ate some of the food he had brought with him. It was now long past midday, and he had not succeeded in killing a single bird! Suddenly he heard, not far off, the sound of birds, and hurrying in that direction, he came to a wild fig-tree covered with ripe fruit, which a very large number of birds were busy eating. Never before had he seen such a sight! On this one tree the whole feathered population of the forest seemed to have assembled together!
Siu hid himself under the thick leaves of a shrub growing near, and taking a poisoned dart, he placed it in his blow-pipe and shot it out. He had aimed at one bird and hit it. But that bird was not the only one that fell dead at his feet. To his astonishment, he saw that many of the other birds near it were killed also. Again he shot out a dart, and again the same thing happened. In a very short time, Siu had killed as many birds as he could carry.
He tried to return the same way he came, but soon found himself in difficulties. He wandered about, and walked several miles, but could not find the jungle path which he had followed early in the day. It was beginning to grow dusk, and Siu was afraid he would have to spend the night in the jungle.
Great was his joy, just as he was giving up all hope, to come to a garden and a path leading from it. Siu followed this path, knowing it would lead him to some house not far off. He soon came to a well, and near at hand he saw the lights of a long Dyak house. He stopped to have a bath, and hid the birds he was carrying, and his blow-pipe and quiver in the brushwood near the well, hoping to take them with him when he started to return the next morning.
He walked up to the house, and when he came to the bottom of the ladder leading up to it he shouted: "Oh, you people in the house, will you allow a stranger to walk up?" A voice answered, "Yes; come up!"
He walked up into the house. To his surprise he saw no one in the long public hall in front of the different rooms. That part of a Dyak house, usually so crowded, was quite empty. All was silent. Even the person who answered him was not there to receive him.
He saw a dim light further on, and walked towards it, wondering what had happened to all the people of the house. Presently he heard a woman's voice in the room say: "Sit down, Siu; I will bring out the pinang[4] and sireh[5] to you." Soon a young and remarkably pretty girl came out of the room with the chewing ingredients, which she placed before him.
[Footnote 4: Pinang—betel-nut.]
[Footnote 5: Sireh—a kind of pepper-leaf which the Dyaks are fond of eating with betel-nut.]
"Here you are at last, Siu," she said; "I expected you would come earlier. How is it you are so late?"
Siu explained that he had stopped at the well to have a bath, as he was hot and tired.
"You must be very hungry," said the girl; "wait a moment while I prepare some food. After you have eaten, we can have our talk together."
When Siu was left to himself, he wondered what it all meant. Here was a long Dyak house built for more than a hundred families to live in, and yet it seemed quite deserted. The only person in it appeared to be the beautiful girl who was cooking his food for him. He was also surprised that she knew his name, and expected him that day.
"Come in, Siu," said the voice from the room; "your food is ready."
Siu was hungry, and went in at once. When they had done eating, she cleared away the plates and tidied the room. Then she spread out a new mat for him, and brought out the pinang and sireh, and bade him be seated as she wished to have a chat with him.
Siu had many questions to ask, but before he could do so, she said to him, "Tell me of your own people, and what news you bring from your country."
"There is no news to give you," Siu replied. "We have been rather badly off for food, as our potatoes and yams did not turn out so well this year as we hoped."
"Tell me what made you come in this direction, and how it was you found out this house."
"While I was hunting in the jungle to-day, I lost my way. After wandering about a long time, I found a path which I followed and came to this house. It was kind of you to take me in and give me food. If I had not found this house, I should have had to spend the night in the jungle. To-morrow morning you must show me the way back to my village. My mother is sure to be anxious about me. She is left all alone now that I am away. My father died a long time ago, and I am her only son."
"Do not go away as soon as to-morrow morning. Stay here a few days at any rate."
At first Siu would not consent, but she spoke so nicely to him, that she persuaded him to stay there at least a week. Then he went out to the verandah, and she brought out a mat for him to sleep on, and a sheet to cover himself with. As Siu was very tired, he soon fell sound asleep, and did not wake up till late the following morning.
Now, though Siu knew it not, this was the house of the great Singalang Burong, the ruler of the spirit-world. He was able to change himself and his followers into any form. When going forth on an expedition against the enemy, he would transform himself and his followers into birds, so that they might travel more quickly. Over the high trees of the jungle, over the broad rivers, sometimes even across the sea, Singalang Burong and his flock would fly. There was no trouble about food, for in the forests there were always some wild trees in fruit, and while assuming the form of birds, they lived on the food of birds. In his own house and among his own people, Singalang Burong appeared as a man. He had eight daughters, and the girl who had cooked food for Siu was the youngest of them.
After Siu had been in the house seven days, he thought he ought to be returning to his own people. By this time he was very much in love with the girl who had been so kind to him, and he wished above all things to marry her, and take her back with him to his own country.
"I have been here a whole week," he said to her, "I want to say something, and I hope you will not be vexed with me."
"Speak on; I promise not to be angry at anything you say."
"I have learnt to love you very much," said Siu, "and I would like to marry you, if you will consent, and take you with me to my own land. Also, I wish you to tell me your name, and why this house is so silent, and where all the people belonging to it are."
"I will consent to marry you, for I also love you. But you must first promise me certain things. In the first place, you must not tell your people of this house, and what you have seen here. Then you must promise faithfully not to hurt a bird or even to hold one in your hands. If ever you break these promises, then we cease to be man and wife."
"Yes," said Siu, "I promise not to speak of what I have seen here until you give me leave to do so. And as you do not wish it, I will never hurt or handle a bird."
"Now that you have promised what I wish, I will tell you of myself and the people of this house," said the maiden. "I am known to my friends as Bunsu Burong (the youngest of the bird family), or Bunsu Katupong (the youngest of the Katupong family). This house as you noticed seems very empty. The reason is that a month ago many of our people were killed by some of the people in your house, and we are still in mourning for them. As you know when our relatives have lately died, we stay silent in our rooms, and do not come out to receive visitors or entertain them. On the morning of the day on which you arrived, all the men of this house went on the war-path, so as to obtain some human heads, to enable us to put away our mourning. With us as with you, it is necessary that one or more human heads be brought into the house before the inmates can give up sorrowing for their dead relatives and friends. All the people in this house, when at home, are in the form of human beings, but they are able to transform themselves into birds. My father, Singalang Burong, is the head of this house. I am the youngest of eight sisters. We have no brothers alive; our only brother died not long ago, and we are still in mourning for him, and that is the reason why my sisters did not come out to greet you."
Siu heard with surprise all she had to say. He thought to himself that it was lucky he did not bring up to the house the birds which he had killed in the jungle, and that he had hidden them with his blow-pipe and quiver containing poisoned darts in the brushwood near the well. He determined to say nothing about the matter, as probably some of her friends and relations were among the birds that were killed by him.
So Siu married Bunsu Burong, and continued to live in the house for several weeks.
One day he said to his wife, "I have been here a long time. My people must surely be wondering where I am, and whether I am still alive. My mother too must be very anxious about me. I should like to return to my people, and I want you to accompany me. My mother and my friends are sure to welcome you as my wife."
"Oh, yes, I will gladly accompany you back to your home. But you must remember and say nothing of the things you have seen or heard in this house."
They started early the next day, taking with them enough food for four days, as they expected the journey would last as long as that. Siu's wife seemed to know the way, and after journeying three days, they came to the stream near the house, and they stopped to have a bath. Some of the children of the house saw them there, and ran up to the house and said: "Siu has come back, and with him is a beautiful woman, who seems to be his wife."
Some of the older people checked the children, saying: "It cannot be Siu; he has been dead for a long time. Don't mention his name, for if his mother hears you talk of him, it will make her very unhappy."
But the children persisted in saying that it was indeed Siu that they had seen. Just then Siu and his wife appeared and walked up into the house.
Siu said to his wife: "The door before which I hang up my sword is the door of my room. Walk straight in. You will find my mother there, and she will gladly welcome you as her daughter-in-law."
When they came into the house, all the inmates rushed out to meet them, and to congratulate Siu on his safe return. They asked him many questions: Where had he been living all this time? How he came to be married? And what was the name of his wife's country? But Siu answered little, as he remembered the promise he had made to his wife, that he would not speak of what he had seen in her house.
When Siu hung up his sword, his wife pushed open the door and walked in. Siu's mother was very pleased to see her son, whom she had mourned as dead, alive and well, and when told of his marriage, she welcomed his wife with joy.
In process of time Siu's wife bore him a son, whom they named Seragunting. He was a fine child, and as befitted the grandson of Singalang Burong, he grew big and strong in a miraculously short time, and when he was three years old, he was taller and stronger than others four times his age.
One day as Seragunting was playing with the other boys, a man brought some birds which he had caught in a trap. As he walked through the house, he passed Siu who was sitting in the open verandah. Siu, forgetting the promise he had made to his wife, asked to see the birds, and he took one in his hands and stroked it. His wife was sitting near, and she saw him hold the bird, and was very vexed that he had broken his promise to her.
She said to herself: "My husband has broken his word to me. He has done the thing he promised me he would never do. I cannot stay in this house any longer. I must return to the house of my father, Singalang Burong."
She took the water-vessels in her hands, and went out as if to fetch water. But when she came to the well, she placed the water-gourds on the ground, and disappeared into the jungle.
In the meantime, Seragunting, tired with his play, came back in search of his mother. She was very fond indeed of him, and he expected her to come to him as soon as he called out to her. But he was disappointed. No one answered his call, and when he looked into the room, she was not there. He asked his father where his mother was, and he told him she had gone to the well to fetch water and would soon be back.
But hour after hour passed and she did not return. So Seragunting asked his father to accompany him to the well to look for her. They found the water-vessels there, but saw no signs of her. So they both returned sadly to the house, taking back with them the water-gourds which Siu's wife had left at the well.
Early the next day Seragunting and his father went in search of her. They took with them only a little food, as they expected to find her not far off. But they wandered the whole day, and saw no signs of her.
They spent the night under a large tree in the jungle. Early the next morning they were surprised to find a small bundle of food, wrapped up in leaves, near Seragunting. The food was evidently meant for him alone, as it was not enough for two, but he gave some of it to his father, who ate sparingly of it, so that his son might not be hungry. They wandered on for several days, and every night the same thing occurred—a bundle of food was placed near Seragunting.
After journeying many days, they came to the sea-shore. Siu suggested to his son that they should return, but Seragunting, who during the journey had grown up into a strong lad with a will of his own, would not consent to do so, as he was determined to find his mother.
After waiting by the shore a few days, they saw a dark cloud come to them over the sea. As it came nearer, it took the form of a gigantic Spider, carrying some food and clothes.
"Do not be afraid," said the Spider, "I have come to help you and your father. I have brought you food and clothing. When you have eaten, and changed your clothes, I will take you to the land on the other side."
They were told to follow the Spider. They did so. Strange to say, the water became as hard as a sand-bank under their feet. For a long time they were out of sight of land, but towards evening they approached the opposite shore. They saw several houses and one larger and more imposing than the others. To this house the Spider directed Seragunting telling him he would find his mother there.
Seragunting's mother was very glad to see her son and embraced him.
"How was it you went away and left us?" he said. "We missed you so much, and have travelled many days and nights in search of you. Now our troubles are over, for I have found you."
"My dear son," she said as she caressed him, "though I left you, I did not forget you. It was I who placed the food by you every night. I left your father because he broke his promise to me. But you are my own son, and I have been wishing to see you ever since I left your house. It was I who sent the Spider to help you and show you your way here."
Then she spoke to her husband Siu, whom she was glad to meet again. All three then went out into the verandah, which was now full of people.
Seragunting was told by his mother to call the sons-in-law of Singalang Burong his uncles, but they refused to acknowledge him as their nephew. They proposed several ordeals to prove the truth of his words that he was indeed the grandson of Singalang Burong. In all these Seragunting came off victorious, and they were compelled to admit that he was a true grandson of the great Singalang Burong.
But Siu was unhappy in his new home. He could not help thinking of his mother, whom he had left alone, and he was anxious to return to his own people. He begged his wife to accompany him back to his old home, but she refused to do so. It was decided that Siu and his son should stay with Singalang Burong till they had obtained such knowledge as would be useful to them in the future, and that then they were to return to the other world, taking with them the secrets they had learnt.
All the people of the house were now most kind to Siu and his son, and were most anxious to teach them all they could. They were taken on a war expedition against the enemy, so that they might learn the science and art of Dyak warfare. They were taught how to set traps to catch deer and wild pig. They were shown the different methods of catching fish, and learnt to make the different kinds of fish-trap used by Dyaks of the present day, and they remained in Singalang Burong's house that whole year for the purpose of acquiring a complete and practical knowledge of the different stages of paddy growing.
When the year was ended, Seragunting's mother took him and Siu to see her father. Singalang Burong was seated in his chair of state, and received them most kindly. He explained to Siu who he was, and the worship due to him, and they learnt also about the observance of omens, both good and bad.
"I am the ruler of the spirit-world," said Singalang Burong, "and have power to make men successful in all they undertake. At all times if you wish for my help, you must call upon me and make offerings to me.
"You have learnt here how to plant paddy. I will give you some paddy to take away with you, and when you get back to your own country, you can teach men how to cultivate it. You will find rice a much more strengthening article of food than the yams and potatoes you used to live upon, and you will become a strong and hardy race.
"And to help you in your daily work, my sons-in-law will always tell you whether what you do is right or wrong. In every work that you undertake, you must pay heed to the voices of the sacred birds—Katupong, Beragai, Bejampong, Papau, Nendak, Kutok and Embuas. These birds, named after my sons-in-law, represent them, and are the means by which I make known my wishes to mankind. When you hear them, remember it is myself speaking to you, through my sons-in-law, for encouragement or for warning. I am willing to help you, but I expect due respect to be paid to me, and will not allow my commands to be disobeyed."
Siu and Seragunting bade their friends farewell, and started to return. As soon as they had descended the ladder of the house of Singalang Burong, they were swiftly transported through the air by some mysterious power, and in a moment they found themselves at their own house.
Their friends crowded round them, glad to see them back safe and well. The neighbours were told of their return, and a great meeting was held that evening. All gathered round the two adventurers, who told them of their strange experiences in the far country of the spirit birds. The new seed, paddy, was produced, and the good qualities of rice as an article of food explained. The different names of the sacred birds were told to the assembled people, and all were warned to pay due respect to their cries.
And so, according to the ancient legend, ended the old primitive life of the Dyak, when he lived upon such poor food as the fruits of the jungle, and any yams or potatoes he happened to plant near the house; the old blind existence in which there was nothing to guide him; and then began for him his new life, in which he advanced forward a step, and learnt to have regularly, year by year, his seed-time and harvest, and to know there were unseen powers ruling the universe, whose will might be learnt by man, and obedience to whom would bring success and happiness.
CHAPTER XV
DYAK BELIEFS AND SUPERSTITIONS
The Dyaks do not worship idols, but they believe in certain gods and spirits, who are supposed to rule over different departments of life, and to these deities they make offerings and sing incantations at certain times.
The following are the more important gods among the Dyaks.
Singalang Burong takes the highest position in honour and dignity, and is the ruler of the spirit-world. It is doubtful what the word Singalang means, but Burong means "bird," and probably Singalang Burong means "Bird Chief." The Dyaks are great observers of omens (see Chapter XII.), and among their omens the cries of certain birds are most important.
Singalang Burong is also the god of war, and the guardian spirit of brave men. He delights in fighting, and head-taking is his glory. When Dyaks have obtained a human head, they make a great feast to the honour of this god and invoke his presence. He is the only god ever represented by the Dyaks in a material form—a carved, highly-coloured bird of grotesque shape. This figure at the Head Feast is erected on the top of a pole, thirty feet or more in height, with its beak pointing in the direction of the enemy's country, so that he may "peck at the eyes of the enemy."
Next in importance to Singalang Burong is Pulang Gana, who is the god of the earth. He is an important power according to Dyak ideas, and to him offerings are made and incantations sung at all feasts connected with Farming. They are entirely dependent upon his goodwill for a good harvest.
Salampandai is the maker of men. He hammers them into shape out of clay, and forms the bodies of children to be born into the world. There is an insect which makes at night the curious noise—kink-a-clink, kink-a-clink. When the Dyaks hear this, they say it is Salampandai at his work. When each child is formed, it is brought to the gods who ask, "What would you like to handle or use?" If it answer, "A sword," the gods pronounce it a male; but if it answer, "Cotton and the spinning-wheel," it is pronounced a female. Thus they are born as boys or girls according to their own wishes.
The Dyak believes in the existence of spirits, and he thinks that innumerable spirits inhabit the forests, the rivers, the earth, and the air. Any unusual noise or motion in the jungle, anything which suggests to the mind some invisible operation, is at once attributed by the Dyak to the presence of some spirit, unseen by human eyes, but full of mighty power. Though generally invisible, these spirits sometimes show themselves. The form they assume then is not anything very supernatural, but either a commonplace human form or else some animal—a bird, or a monkey—such as is often seen in the forests. There is, however, the chief of evil spirits, Girgasi by name, who, when seen, takes the form of a giant about three times the size of a man, is covered with rough, shaggy hair, and has eyes as big as saucers, and huge glittering teeth.
There are innumerable stories told by Dyaks of their meeting with spirits in the jungle, and sometimes speaking to them. Such stories generally relate how the man who sees the spirit rushes to catch him by the leg—he cannot reach higher—in order to get some charm from him, but he is generally foiled in his attempt, as the spirit suddenly vanishes. But some men, it is believed, do obtain gifts from the spirits. If a Dyak gets a good harvest, it is attributed to some magic charm he has received from some kindly spirit. Also, if he be successful on the war-path, he is credited with the succour of some mysterious being from the spirit-world.
The spirits, according to the Dyaks, rove about the jungle and hunt for wild beasts, as the Dyaks do themselves. Girgasi, already mentioned, is specially addicted to the chase, and the Dyaks say he is often to be met hunting in the forest. There are certain animals who roam about in packs in the jungle. These are supposed to be the dogs which accompany the spirits when they are out hunting, and they attack those whom the spirits wish to kill. I have never seen one of these animals, but to judge from the description of them, they seem to be a kind of small jackal. They will follow and bark at men, and from their supposed connection with the spirits, are greatly feared by the Dyaks, who generally run away from them as fast as they can.
The spirits are said to build their invisible habitations in trees, and many trees are considered sacred, as being the abode of one or more spirits, and to cut one of these trees down would be to provoke the spirits' anger. The tops of hills are supposed to be the favourite haunts of spirits. When Dyaks fell the jungle of the larger hills, they always leave a clump of trees at the summit as a refuge for the spirits. To leave them quite homeless would be to court certain disaster from them.
From what has been said it will be seen that the spirits are much the same as their gods, and have power either to bestow favours, or cause sickness and death. They rule the conduct of the Dyak, and therefore receive the same religious homage as their gods do.
The Dyak worships his gods. He has good spirits to help him, and evil spirits to harm him. He makes sacrifices to the gods and spirits, and invokes their help in long incantations. He has omens and divination and dreams to encourage or warn him. He believes he has a soul which will live in another world, a future life differing little from his existence in the flesh.
CHAPTER XVI
CONCLUSION
I have tried to tell you in the preceding chapters what the Dyaks of Borneo are like, how they live, and what their religious ideas are. It is sad to think of them living in constant fear of evil spirits, and believing in such things as the omens of birds. All Christians must wish these people to be taught about God. Christ came to earth to teach us the Truths of the Gospel, and before He returned to Heaven, He told His disciples, and, through His disciples, all Christians: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." In obedience to this command, missionaries have gone out to Borneo, and many people in England, who are not able to go out to Borneo themselves, help in the good work by subscribing money to the "Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts," which sends missionaries to Borneo. Many of these missionaries live up-country at some mission station far from the town. Here there is a mission house where the missionary lives, a church where regular services are held, and a school house where boys live and are taught.
As many of the long Dyak village houses are built at great distances from each other, the missionary, who wishes to do good work among the Dyaks, must not always live at his mission house, but must travel from house to house. Only by visiting distant villages, and living with the Dyaks as their guest, can the missionary learn to understand the people.
Let me tell you a missionary story. A missionary in Borneo visited a Dyak village house to teach the people there about God and our Lord Jesus Christ. A crowd of men, women and children listened to him, and many a long evening did the missionary spend, sitting on a mat in the long public verandah of the Dyak house, and teaching those poor ignorant people. A Dyak boy present asked the missionary if he might go back with him to his school. The parents gave their consent, and the little boy accompanied the missionary on his return to his mission house, and attended the mission school. There, with other children, the boy was taught the Truths of the Christian Religion. After being in school for a few years, this boy returned to his Dyak home.
Years passed. The boy did not forget what he had been taught at school. He saw the Dyaks among whom he lived, ruled by a fear of evil spirits, and carrying out many superstitious ceremonies, which he knew must be displeasing to God. As he grew older, he felt sad to think of the ignorance of his relatives and friends, and of the Dyaks in other villages. So he went back to the missionary and asked that he should be taught more, so that, later on, he might teach his own people, and bring some of them into God's Kingdom.
This is a true story of what has happened more than once in Borneo. A boy learns about God in some up-country mission school, and on his return to his Dyak home, is sorry to see the ignorance of his people, and asks to be taught more, so that he may become a Catechist and carry God's Truth to them.
When the seed is sown, it lies in the ground, and God sends the sunshine and the rain to make it grow. So the Good Seed of the Word of God is sown in the hearts of the Dyaks in Borneo, and we pray the Great Giver of the Water of Life to refresh it with His Life-giving Holy Spirit. Some seeds fall on the wayside, and the birds of the air devour them; some fall on a rock, and are scorched by the heat of the sun; some fall among thorns, and are choked; but, thank God, some fall on good ground and bring forth good fruit.
The Good Seed of God's Word is being sown among the old and young in Borneo. Will you not take a share in that good work?
BY THE SAME AUTHOR.
SEVENTEEN YEARS AMONG THE SEA DYAKS OF BORNEO.
A RECORD OF INTIMATE ASSOCIATION WITH THE NATIVES OF THE BORNEAN JUNGLES.
With 40 Illustrations and a Map.
MESSRS SEELEY & CO., LTD., 38 GREAT RUSSELL ST., LONDON, W.C.
Price 16/- nett.
SOME OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.
"Contains probably the most intimate and comprehensive account that has yet appeared of the Sea Dyaks of Sarawak.... It is so pleasantly written that the reader forgets that it is learned."—The Times.
"We heartily commend this book to the learned public."—The Athenaeum.
"The author has been completely successful."—The Bookman.
"Pleasant to read, and gives a really good account of an interesting race."—The Illustrated London News.
"Mr Gomes is a skilled and gifted investigator, and his book is a valuable contribution to Eastern anthropology."—The Outlook.
"Let our quotations serve to introduce a book as fascinating as it is authoritative."—The Sketch.
"Mr Gomes' book is no hasty piece of work; it is the result of seventeen years spent in Sarawak.... Mr Gomes gives a very full account of the whole culture and life of the Sea Dyaks."—The Saturday Review.
"It is emphatically good. Mr Gomes speaks as one having authority. He has certainly unique experience, sympathy, insight, comprehension, a sense of proportion, and he is not without the quality of humour and dramatic instinct, and his style, simple and clear, is not without literary distinction. He has produced a book that ought to take high rank."—The Englishman (Calcutta).
"Mr E. H. Gomes' absorbing book."—The Daily Mail.
SOME NOTABLE BOOKS ON FOREIGN MISSIONS FROM THE CATALOGUE OF OLIPHANT, ANDERSON & FERRIER 100 PRINCES STREET, EDINBURGH 21 PATERNOSTER SQUARE, LONDON
A HISTORY OF MISSIONS IN INDIA. By JULIUS RICHTER, D.D. Translated by Sydney H. Moore, Master in the School for Sons of Missionaries, Blackheath. Demy 8vo, with map 10s 6d
"Will be indispensable to all students of Indian Missions. It is singularly interesting."—London Quarterly Review.
THE PEN OF BRAHMA. Peeps into Hindu Hearts and Homes. By BEATRICE M. HARBAND, Author of "Daughters of Darkness in Sunny India," etc. Large crown 8vo, cloth extra, with Illustrations 3s 6d net
HOLY HIMALAYA. The Religion, Traditions, and Scenery of the Provinces of Kumaun and Garhwal. By the REV. E. S. OAKLEY, of the London Missionary Society, Almora, Northern India. With 16 full-page Illustrations, Large crown 8vo, cloth extra 5s net
DAYLIGHT IN THE HAREM. Papers on Present-day Reform Movements, Conditions, and Methods of Work among Moslem Women read at the Lucknow Conference, 1911. Edited by ANNIE VAN SOMMER, A. DE SELINCOURT and S. M. ZWEMER, D.D., F.R.G.S. Illustrated, crown 8vo, cloth 3s 6d net
CHILDREN OF CEYLON. By THOMAS MOSCROP. (The Children's Missionary Series.) Large crown 8vo, with eight Coloured Illustrations, cloth 1s 6d net
THE MOSLEM DOCTRINE OF GOD. A Treatise on the Character and Attributes of Allah according to the Koran and Orthodox Tradition. By SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, Author of "Arabia, the Cradle of Islam," 2s 6d net
"A piece of earnest thinking and writing."—Spectator.
THE GREAT RELIGIONS OF INDIA. By J. MURRAY MITCHELL, M.A., LL.D. Large crown 8vo, with Map and Complete Index 5s net
"There was room for a good book on the Religions of India, and the task of writing it could not have fallen into more competent hands than those of the veteran missionary Dr Murray Mitchell, who only a few months ago died in his ninetieth year, after a brilliant record of life-long experience of mission work in India."—Aberdeen Daily Journal.
MOSAICS FROM INDIA: Talks about India, its Peoples. Religions, and Customs. By MARGARET B. DENNING. Large crown 8vo, art cloth decorated, with 28 illustrations 6s
"Of thrilling interest."—Spectator.
"One of the most readable and instructive volumes on India it has ever been our privilege to read."—Aberdeen Journal.
VILLAGE WORK IN INDIA. Pen Pictures from a Missionary's Experience, By NORMAN RUSSELL, of the Canada Presbyterian Church, Central India. Crown 8vo, art cloth, with 8 full-page Illustrations 3s 6d
"This book is literature. There is a noble work to describe, and it is described nobly."—Expository Times.
FROM ZOROASTER TO CHRIST: An Autobiographical Sketch of the Rev. DHANJIBHAI NAUROJI, the first modern Convert to Christianity from the Zoroastrian Religion, With Introduction by the Rev. D. MACKICHAN, D.D. LL.D., Missionary of the United Free Church of Scotland, Bombay. With Portrait and other Illustrations. Large crown 8vo, cloth extra 2s
"It has a charm of its own, and wins the reader to an affectionate regard for this pure and saintly servant of Christ. Dr Mackichan has written a fitting Introduction and a tender Epilogue. It is in many ways a unique book, and should be in every missionary library and read in every missionary household."—U.F. Church Monthly.
THE EDUCATION OF THE WOMEN OF INDIA. By M. G. COWAN, M.A. (Girton.) Cloth, with twelve Illustrations 3s 6d net
"Miss Cowan presents us with the useful results of a great deal of intelligent study of the problem, and of the factors which go to the solution."—The Times.
THE WRONGS OF INDIAN WOMANHOOD. By Mrs MARCUS B. FULLER, Bombay. With an Introduction by RAMABAI. Large crown 8vo, canvas binding, with numerous Illustrations 5s
"Turns a searching light upon the sorrows of Indian women and the customs to which they are at present bound to submit. An impressive study, written with commendable moderation."—Bookman.
CHILDREN OF INDIA. By JANET HARVEY KELMAN. (The Children's Missionary Series.) Large crown 8vo, with eight Coloured Illustrations, cloth extra 1s 6d net
MEN OF MIGHT IN INDIA MISSIONS. The Leaders and their Epochs, 1706-1899. By HELEN H. HOLCOMB. Large crown 8vo, cloth extra, with 16 full-page Illustrations 6s
"This fascinating and beautifully illustrated book of 350 pages deals with the rise and progress of the kingdom of Jesus Christ in India.... The story of missionary progress is traced from 1706 to 1899. The romance of missions is once more charmingly illustrated in this ably-written and most attractive volume."—Illustrated Missionary News.
THE COBRA'S DEN, and other Stories of Missionary Work among the Telugus of India. By Rev. JACOB CHAMBERLAIN, Author of "In the Tiger Jungle." Crown 8vo, ornamental cloth binding, fully illustrated 3s 6d
"Interest in the narrative of missionary work, life, and incident is maintained throughout by a charming felicity of diction, and the plea for increased missionary effort is both able and convincing."—Daily Record.
IN THE TIGER JUNGLE, and other Stories of Missionary Work among the Telugus of India. By the Rev. JACOB CHAMBERLAIN, M.D., D.D. Large post 8vo, antique laid paper, cloth extra. With Portrait and seven Illustrations 3s 6d
"There is a romance about many of these stories which will appeal particularly to young people: but the missionary aspect is never lost sight of, and the volume is well calculated to win many new friends, and perhaps volunteers, for the foreign field. The illustrations are good."—Record.
HINDUISM AND CHRISTIANITY. By JOHN ROBSON, D.D., Author of "The Holy Spirit, the Paraclete," etc. Third Edition. Crown 8vo, cloth extra 3s 6d net
THE MOSLEM CHRIST. An Essay on the Life, Character, and Teachings of Jesus Christ according to the Koran and Orthodox Tradition. By SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, D.D., F.R.G.S., Author of "The Moslem Doctrine of God." Cloth, with Illustrations and Facsimiles 3s 6d net
SOO THAH. A Tale of the Making of the Karen Nation. By OLONZO BUNKER, D.D., Thirty Years a Missionary in Burmah. With an Introduction by HENRY C. MABIE, D.D. Crown 8vo, illustrated 3s 6d
Sir WILLIAM MUIR, Edinburgh, in a letter to the author, says:—"I have read your 'Soo Thah' with the greatest pleasure and profit; more so, I might say, than that of any other book after our Scriptures."
FIRE AND SWORD IN SHANSI. Being the Story of the Massacre of Foreigners and Chinese Christians. By E. H. EDWARDS, M.B., CM., over Twenty Years a Medical Missionary in China. With an Introduction by Dr ALEXANDER MACLAREN, Manchester. Large crown 8vo, with upwards of forty Illustrations, Maps, etc., handsomely bound. Cheap Edition 2s 6d net
"Inspiring in the revelation it gives of a heroism and self-sacrifice that may well stand comparison with what we read in the case of the early martyrs."—Glasgow Herald.
MISSIONARY METHODS IN MANCHURIA. By the Rev. JOHN ROSS, D.D., Missionary of the United Free Church of Scotland, Moukden, New Edition, with additional chapter. Large crown 8vo, cloth extra, with Illustrations and Plans 3s 6d
"Dr Ross writes a quiet, methodical, business-like, instructive style, and is manifestly a thinker."—British Weekly.
"A contribution towards a study, systematic and comparative, of missionary methods."—Preston Guardian.
CHILDREN OF CHINA. By C. CAMPBELL BROWN, Author of "China in Legend and Story." (The Children's Missionary Series.) Large crown 8vo, with eight Coloured Illustrations, cloth extra 1s 6d net
A MISSION IN CHINA. By W. E. SOOTHILL, Translator of the Wenchow New Testament; Author of "The Student's Pocket Dictionary"; Compiler of the Wenchow Romanised System, etc. Large crown 8vo, with numerous Illustrations, and in artistic binding 5s net
CHINA IN LEGEND AND STORY. By C. CAMPBELL BROWN, formerly Davis Scholar of Chinese at the University of Oxford, and for ten years resident in China. Large crown 8vo, illustrated, cloth, with Unique Native Design 3s 6d net
"Ten years' residence in China, close contact with the inhabitants, and an attentive ear for native stories and traditions have furnished the material and inspiration for Mr Brown's volume of sketches. ... On their narrative side alone, and with their strong human interest and colour, the stories should commend themselves."—Scotsman.
CHINA'S ONLY HOPE. An Appeal by her greatest Viceroy, Chang Chih Tung, Viceroy of Liang Hu, with Indorsement by the present Emperor. Translated by the Rev. S. I. WOODBRIDGE. Introduction by the Rev. GRIFFITH JOHN, D.D. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, with Portrait of the Author 3s 6d
"One of the most remarkable, if not the most remarkable, book written by a Chinese for several centuries."—London and China Telegraph.
CHINA IN CONVULSION; The Origin; The Outbreak; The Climax; The Aftermath. A Survey of the Cause and Events of the Recent Uprising. By ARTHUR H. SMITH, Author of "Chinese Characteristics," "Village Life in China," etc. In 2 volumes, demy 8vo, cloth extra, with numerous Illustrations, Maps, and Charts 21s
"The fullest and fairest statement of the causes of the outbreak which has yet been made."—Mrs ISABELLA L. BISHOP in the Daily Chronicle.
CHINESE CHARACTERISTICS. By ARTHUR H. SMITH, Twenty-seven Years a Missionary of the American Board in China. New and Enlarged Edition, with numerous Illustrations. Demy 8vo, art linen 7s 6d
"A very striking book. One of the best modern studies of that remarkable people."—Sydney Morning Herald.
METHODS OF MISSION WORK AMONG MOSLEMS. With an Introduction by E. M. WHERRY, D.D. Being those papers read at the First Missionary Conference on behalf of the Mohammedan World held at Cairo, April 4th-9th, 1906. Cloth 4s net
MISSION PROBLEMS AND MISSION METHODS IN SOUTH CHINA. By Dr J. CAMPBELL GIBSON of Swatow. Large crown 8vo, cloth extra, with Coloured Map Diagrams, and sixteen full-page Illustrations. Second Edition 6s
"Teeming with valuable testimony as to the characteristics of the people among whom his life work has been carried on; containing a well of information as to the methods by which he and his fellow-workers are introducing the Christian religion into China; adding to this an abundance of broad-minded criticism of, and intelligent comment upon, the missionary and his work—the series of lectures gathered together in 'Mission Problems and Mission Methods in South China' are so good, that I take great pleasure in recommending the book, to all who are interested in the subject of foreign missions or the broader subject of the Far East."—Daily News.
VILLAGE LIFE IN CHINA. A Study in Sociology. By ARTHUR H. SMITH, D.D., Author of "Chinese Characteristics." Demy 8vo, art linen, with numerous Illustrations. Fourth Edition 7s 6d
THE ANALECTS OF CONFUCIUS. A new translation by WILLIAM EDWARD SOOTHILL, Principal of the Imperial University, Shansi; Compiler of the "Student's Pocket Dictionary," Translator of the "Wenchow New Testament," and Author of "A Mission in China," etc. Large crown 8vo, cloth 15s net
The Discourses, commonly known as the Analects, contain the sayings of the Sage as recorded by his disciples. The Analects holds a somewhat similar relation to the Confucian Classics that the synoptic books of the New Testament hold to the whole Bible, and, like the Gospels, is the most popular book of the Canon.
THE ORIGINAL RELIGION OF CHINA. By JOHN ROSS, D.D., Author of "Mission Methods in Manchuria." With Diagrams from Original Plans, and other Illustrations. Large crown 8vo, cloth extra 5s net
A satisfactory account of the Earliest Religion of China can be found nowhere at present except in a voluminous work by de Groot. Students of Comparative Religion will undoubtedly be grateful for the publication of this exceedingly valuable book, and there are missionaries and many others who will find it very serviceable.
THE MARVELLOUS STORY OF THE REVIVAL IN MANCHURIA. Transcribed by JOHN ROSS, D.D., from the letters of the Rev. JAMES WEBSTER. With Portraits 6d net
THE LORE OF CATHAY; or, the Intellect of China. In five parts. Arts and Science, Literature, Philosophy and Religion, Education, History. By the Rev. W. A. P. MARTIN, D.D., LL.D., Author of "A Cycle of Cathay," etc. 10s 6d
"'The time,' writes Dr Martin, 'is not, I trust, far distant when the language of China will find a place in all our principal seats of learning, and when her classic writers will be known and appreciated. Nothing should tend more to hasten the advent of that time than the broad sympathy, informed with knowledge, which enables writers like Dr Martin to show how much of human interest attaches to 'The Lore of Cathay.'"—The Times.
EAST OF THE BARRIER; or, Side Lights on the Manchuria Mission. By the Rev. J. MILLER GRAHAM, Missionary of the United Free Church of Scotland, Moukden, Manchuria. Crown 8vo, with Illustrations and Map 3s 6d
"A book which takes rank among the most interesting, practical, and well-informed books of missionary travel which has appeared of late years. A series of excellent photographs gives additional charm to a book which holds the interest from the first page to the last."—Sunday School Chronicle.
THE HEATHEN HEART: An Account of the Reception of the Gospel among the Chinese of Formosa. By CAMPBELL N. MOODY, M.A. Large crown 8vo, cloth extra, with Illustrations 3s 6d net
"The most illuminating book on missions I have ever read."—Rev. W. M. CLOW
THE SAINTS OF FORMOSA: Life and Worship in a Chinese Church. By CAMPBELL N. MOODY, M.A., Author of "The Heathen Heart." Large crown 8vo, cloth extra, with ten Illustrations 3s 6d net
"A charming book.... When Mr Moody tells us of the missionary side of his experience he is not less interesting than when he speaks of more general subjects."—The Spectator.
FROM FAR FORMOSA: The Island, its People and Missions, By GEORGE LESLIE MACKAY, D.D. New and Cheaper Edition, large crown 8vo, art canvas binding. With four Maps and sixteen Illustrations 5s
"One of the most interesting books on missions we have ever come across.... A thoroughly interesting and valuable book."—Glasgow Herald.
CHILDREN OF BORNEO. By EDWIN H. GOMES, M.A. (The Children's Missionary Series.) Large crown 8vo, with eight Coloured Illustrations, cloth 1s 6d net
"Mr Gomes blends fact and legend in a positively delightful way. Some of the folk tales are as delightful as the stories of Hans Christian Andersen."—Christian World.
CHILDREN OF JAMAICA. By Mrs ISABEL C. M'LEAN. (The Children's Missionary Series.) Large crown 8vo, with eight Coloured Illustrations, cloth extra 1s 6d net
CHILDREN OF JAPAN. By JANET HARVEY KELMAN, Author of "Children of India." (The Children's Missionary Series.) Large crown 8vo, with eight Coloured Illustrations, cloth extra 1s 6d net
THE GIST OF JAPAN. The Islands; their People and Missions. By the Rev. R. B. PEERY, A.M., Ph.D. Large crown 8vo, art canvas, with eight full-page Illustrations 5s
"This is an interesting and honest book, and its statements gain by its extreme candour, as well as palpable sincerity of the writer."—Standard.
KOREAN SKETCHES. A Missionary's Observations in the Hermit Nation. By the Rev. JAMES S. GALE. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, with eight Illustrations 3s 6d
"The author of 'Korean Sketches' has gone in and out among the people for nine years. He has done so, moreover, as his book shows, in the kind of temper which qualifies a man to see what is best in a strange and very little understood race."
IN AFRIC'S FOREST AND JUNGLE. By R. H. STONE. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, illustrated 3s 6d
"A welcome contribution to missionary literature. The illustrations are numerous and good."—Christian.
DAWN IN THE DARK CONTINENT. By JAMES STEWART, M.D., D.D., Lovedale. Demy 8vo, handsome binding, with nine Coloured Maps and Portrait of the Author 6s net
"We have no hesitation in saying that Dr Stewart's book will have permanent value as a standard history of African missions, and its excellent maps by Bartholomew give a praiseworthy completeness to its unity."—Pall Mall Gazette.
DAYBREAK IN LIVINGSTONIA. The Story of the Livingstonia Mission, British Central Africa. By JAMES W. JACK, M.A. Revised, with an Introductory Chapter, by Rev. ROBERT LAWS, M.D., D.D. Large crown 8vo, canvas binding, with Map, a Plan of Livingstonia Institution, and many other Illustrations 5s
"We have no hesitation in saying that this is one of the best missionary histories we have ever read."—Glasgow Herald.
AN AFRICAN GIRL: The Story of Ma Eno. By BEATRICE W. WELSH, Missionary in Old Calabar. With eight full-page Illustrations. Large crown 8vo, cloth extra 1s 6d
"This book is interestingly written, and will, we doubt not, go far to accomplish its object, which is to interest children—and others—in the children of Nigeria."—The Outposts.
CALABAR AND ITS MISSION. By Rev. HUGH GOLDIE. New Edition, with Additional Chapters by the Rev. JOHN TAYLOR DEAN. Large crown 8vo, cloth extra, with Map and fourteen new Illustrations 5s
"Mr Goldie has an interesting story to tell of the place, of its people, and of the mission work that has been carried on there. It is a story which the opponents of missionary enterprise can hardly get over."—Spectator.
AMONG THE WILD NGONI. Being Chapters from the History of the Livingstonia Mission in British Central Africa. By W. A. ELMSLIE, M.B., C.M., Medical Missionary. With an Introduction by LORD OVERTOUN. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, with Illustrations and Portraits 3s 6d
"In this volume he has at once done a real service to missions, and has made a most valuable and interesting addition to the fast-growing literature of Central Africa."—The Times.
CHILDREN OF EGYPT. By L. CROWTHER, Old Cairo. (The Children's Missionary Series.) Large crown 8vo, with eight Coloured Illustrations, cloth 1s 6d net
THE ANGEL OPPORTUNITY. By JESSIE F. HOGG. Author of "The Story of the Calabar Mission." With Frontispiece from a Pencil Sketch by H. C. PRESTON MACGOUN, R.S.W. Crown 8vo, cloth extra 2s 6d
This is the story of a missionary's family sent home for education, and is full of humorous and pathetic incidents, in the experience of a little girl, in her desire to discover and influence the home heathen among whom she found herself.
DAVID LIVINGSTONE. By T. BANKS MACLACHLAN. Post 8vo, art canvas 1s net
"It has been an unmixed pleasure to read this life of David Livingstone. The book is interesting from first to last, and gives a vivid picture of a rare character."—Madras Christian College Magazine.
MUNGO PARK. By T. BANKS MACLACHLAN. Post 8vo, art canvas 1s net
"We owe to Mr Maclachlan not only a charming life-story, if at times a pathetic one, but a vivid chapter in the romance of Africa. Geography has no more wonderful tale than that dealing with the unraveling of the mystery of the Niger."—Leeds Mercury.
CHILDREN OF AFRICA. By JAMES B. BAIRD, Church of Scotland Mission, Blantyre, Author of "Nyono at School and at Home." (The Children's Missionary Series.) Large crown 8vo, with eight Coloured Illustrations, cloth extra 1s 6d net
"Boys and girls who read what Mr Baird says will have a vivid picture of African life in their memories, and will see how blessed is the light the Gospel carries to their black sisters and brothers in the Dark Continent."—Presbyterian Messenger.
AN ARTISAN MISSIONARY ON THE ZAMBESI. Being the Life Story of WILLIAM THOMSON WADDELL. By Rev. JOHN MACCONNACHIE, M.A. Large crown 8vo. illustrated 1s 6d net
"It is a moving account of unselfish heroism for the sake of Christ, and Mr MacConnachie has told it in a way that will impress the reader afresh with the splendid, unassuming courage of their rank and file in Christian missions."—British Weekly.
ARABIA: The Cradle of Islam. By Rev. S. M. ZWEMER, F.R.G.S. Studies in the Geography, People, and Politics of the Peninsula; with an account of Islam and Missionary Work. Demy 8vo, canvas binding, with Maps and numerous Illustrations from Drawings and Photographs 7s 6d
"The best book on Arabia from every point of view—scientific, literary, and missionary. It is well illustrated, especially by such maps as Ptolemy's, Niebuhr's, Palgrave's and plans of Mecca, Medina, besides maps of Arabia as it now is, and of the islands of Bahrein."—The Scottish Geographical Magazine.
CHILDREN OF ARABIA. By the Rev. JOHN C. YOUNG, M.A., M.B., CM., SHEIKH OTHMAN, Aden. (The Children's Missionary Series.) Large crown 8vo, with 8 Coloured Illustrations, cloth extra 1s 6d net
WITH THE TIBETANS IN TENT AND TEMPLE. Narrative of Four Years' Residence on the Tibetan Border and of a Journey into the Far Interior. By SUSIE CARSON RIJNHART, M.D. Large crown 8vo, cloth extra, gilt top, with fourteen Illustrations. Fourth Edition 6s
CHILDREN OF PERSIA. By Mrs NAPIER MALCOLM. (The Children's Missionary Series.) Large crown 8vo, with eight Coloured Illustrations, cloth 1s 6d net
"A charming book for children. The life and surroundings of child-life in Persia are described with sympathy and insight. The young reader is carried through a very strange world of fascinating interest."—Missionary Record of the U.F. Church of Scotland.
CONSTANTINOPLE AND ITS PROBLEMS. Its Peoples, Customs, Religions, and Progress. By HENRY OTIS DWIGHT, LL.D. Large crown 8vo, art linen, gilt top, with 12 Illustrations 6s
JERUSALEM THE HOLY. A Brief History of Ancient Jerusalem; with an Account of the Modern City and its Conditions, Political, Religious, and Social. By EDWIN SHERMAN WALLACE. Demy 8vo, cloth extra, with 15 Illustrations and 4 Maps 7s 6d
MISSIONS IN EDEN. By Mrs CROSBY H. WHEELER. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, illustrated 3s 6d
"The pages unfold a story of devoted labour—educational, religious, and social—attended with encouraging results.... The book is to be commended as a singularly readable record of work in a field that commands much less than it deserves of prayerful interest and support."—Christian.
THE CROSS OF CHRIST IN BOLO LAND. A Record of Missionary Effort in the Philippines. By JOHN MARVIN DEAN, Crown 8vo, illustrated 3s 6d
"This book should be widely read throughout the country. It is worth more than a bale of newspaper print. The author is a competent and credible witness of what he has seen in the Philippines. He has done good service there."—The Outlook.
WITNESSES FROM ISRAEL. Life Stories of Jewish Converts to Christianity. Edited by Rev. ARNOLD FRANK, Hamburg. Translated from the German by Mrs A. FLEMING, with Recommendatory Note by Rev. PROFESSOR NICOL, D.D., Convener of the Jewish Committee of the Church of Scotland. Crown 8vo, cloth extra 1s 6d
THE TRANSFORMATION OF HAWAII: How Fifty Years of Mission Work gave a Christian Nation to the World. Told for Young People. By BELLE M. BRAIN. Crown 8vo, art linen, illustrated 3s 6d
"Much is said against missions, sometimes in ignorance, sometimes from mistaken conviction, and not seldom, it is to be feared, from dislike of Christian morality; but the contrast between the Hawaii which Cook discovered, and still more the Hawaii of forty odd years of relations with white visitors, before the missionaries came, and the Hawaii of 1870, is not lightly to be put aside."—Spectator.
SIGN OF THE CROSS IN MADAGASCAR. By the Rev. J. J. KILPIN FLETCHER, Crown 8vo, cloth extra, with numerous Illustrations 3s 6d
"To many readers the story of the evangelisation of Madagascar is a new one, but if they will add this charming book to their missionary library, they will then know the wonderful story of the work of God in these islands."—Illustrated Missionary News.
PERSIAN LIFE AND CUSTOMS. With Scenes and Incidents of Residence and Travel in the Land of the Lion and the Sun. By S. G. WILSON, M.A., Fifteen Years a Missionary in Persia. Second Edition, demy 8vo, cloth decorated, gilt top, with Map and Illustrations 7s 6d
"Mr Wilson writes without national or religious bias. He has not only studied Persia, but has lived for fifteen years in it; and while well acquainted with the literature of his subject, he contents himself with giving, with excellent care and judgment, his own experiences and opinions of a country which, notwithstanding the changes of recent years, continues to be socially, as well as politically, one of the most fascinating in Asia."—Scotsman.
CHRISTIAN MISSIONS AND SOCIAL PROGRESS. A Sociological Study of Foreign Missions. By the Rev. JAMES S. DENNIS, D.D., Author of "Foreign Missions after a Century." In 3 volumes, royal 8vo, cloth extra. Vol. I., with upwards of 100 full-page reproductions of Original Photographs, price 10s net. Vol. II., with 80 do., price 10s net. Vol. III., price 10s net
"Dr Dennis treats the whole subject of ethics and of social order generally with great minuteness and in a most instructive way. He has done an inestimable service to the mission cause in so doing."—Spectator.
"How great might be the impetus to mission interest in our midst if these volumes were made the basis of sermons all over the land."—Expository Times.
OUTLINE OF A HISTORY OF PROTESTANT MISSIONS FROM THE REFORMATION TO THE PRESENT TIME. A Contribution to Modern Church History, by G. WARNECK, D.D. Translated from the Eighth Edition by arrangement with the Author, and revised by GEORGE ROBSON, D.D. Demy 8vo, cloth extra, with Portrait and Maps 10s 6d
"It is a noble book, powerfully written, and throbbing with the spirit of zeal and devotion, a book that must be read by all who desire to master the missionary problem, to understand it in the past, and to be prepared for its future evolution and development in the world."—Methodist Magazine and Review.
A HISTORY OF PROTESTANT MISSIONS IN THE NEAR EAST. By JULIUS RICHTER, D.D., Author of "A History of Protestant Missions in India." Demy 8vo, cloth extra 10s 6d
"This book on Missions in the Near East should be in every missionary library. It is comprehensive, well informed, and fair, and is written with spiritual insight."—U.F.C. Monthly Record.
THE EXPLORATION OF EGYPT AND THE OLD TESTAMENT. A Summary of Results obtained by Exploration in Egypt up to the Present Time, with a fuller account of those bearing on the Old Testament. By J. GARROW DUNCAN, B.D., Blackie Scholar, 1894-5; Interim-Director of Excavations at Nuffar, 1895-6; Wilson Archaeological Fellow (Abdn.), 1905-6; Joint-Author with Dr Flinders Petrie of "Hyksos and Israelite Cities," 1906. With 100 Illustrations from Photographs. Large crown 8vo, cloth extra 5s net
"The volume possesses the necessary combination of fulness of knowledge and untechnicality necessary to give it a large circulation."—Expository Times.
FOREIGN MISSIONS AFTER A CENTURY. By Rev. JAMES S. DENNIS, D.D., of the American Presbyterian Mission, Beirut, Syria, with Introduction by Professor T. M. LINDSAY, D.D., Convener of the Foreign Missions Committee of the Free Church of Scotland. Extra crown 8vo, cloth 5s
"Dr Dennis gives us a clear, impartial survey of the present aspect of Foreign Missions all over the world. Many important points are dealt with, and the reader will find himself correctly informed on many subjects concerning which he may have been in doubt. Dr Dennis writes as one who has seen and therefore knows, and, as we read, we feel that we are in the regions of plain facts, free from any of the romance which want of knowledge sometimes causes."—China's Millions.
THE RESURRECTION GOSPEL: A Study of Christ's Great Commission. By JOHN ROBSON, D.D. Large crown 8vo, cloth 5s net
"While the Great Commission is commanding a constantly increasing share of the Church's thought and activity, I have felt that there is still the want of a connected study of all the records of it contained in the Gospels and Acts, and unless these be studied together its full scope and completeness cannot be realised."—From the Preface.
THE LIVING FORCES OF THE GOSPEL. Experiences of a Missionary in Animistic Heathendom. By JOH. WARNECK, Lic. Theol., Superintendent of Missions, Authorised Translation from the Third German Edition by the Rev. NEIL BUCHANAN. Demy 8vo, cloth extra 5s net
MEDICAL MISSIONS: Their Place and Power. By the late JOHN LOWE, F.R.C.S.E., Secretary of the Edinburgh Medical Missionary Society. With introduction by Sir WILLIAM MUIR, K.C.S.L, LL.D., D.C.L. Fifth Edition, with Portraits. Crown 8vo, cloth extra 2s 6d
"It is a complete handbook of the subject, and contains not only much information regarding the history of medical missions in various parts of the world, but such wise counsel regarding the training needful, and the right attitude of the missionary towards the people and towards his profession, as only experience could prompt."—British Weekly.
CHRISTIANITY AND THE PROGRESS OF MAN: As Illustrated by Modern Missions. By W. DOUGLAS MACKENZIE, M.A. Large crown 8vo, cloth extra 3s 6d
"It gives an account of the intellectual aspects of the work done during the present century in evangelising the non-Christian people of the world, discusses the relation of missionary enterprise to the other civilising forces of modern times, and sums up all by endeavouring to estimate the effect that Christianity has had upon progress. Books about missionary work are usually either read for their adventures, for their piety, or for practical information concerning the history of a particular mission. A work like the present, which gives what may be called the philosophy of the subject, has a place of its own in the literature to which it belongs, and deserves the attention of thoughtful readers in its subject."—Scotsman.
THE BIBLE A MISSIONARY BOOK. By Rev. R. F. HORTON, D.D. Crown 8vo, cloth extra. Cheap Edition 1s net
"The whole argument is worked out in a fresh and able and scholarly way, and the book will be interesting to all 'friends of missions.'"—Glasgow Herald.
OLIPHANT, ANDERSON & FERRIER EDINBURGH AND LONDON
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