THE ADVANCE OF MOHAMMEDANISM IS TO AFRICA’S HEART.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17831, 27 April 1926, Page 4

THE ADVANCE OF MOHAMMEDANISM IS TO AFRICA’S HEART.

An interesting lecture on missionary work among the Nuba people in the Eastern Sudan was given by Mr D. X. Mae Diarmid. R.A., author, traveller, and pioneer missionary, in the Eastern Sudan. at the annual meeting of the Sudan United Mission in St Paul's schoolroom last evening. The lecture was illustrated with slides. Mr Mae Diarmid commenced his lecture by showing a number of maps dealing with the location and extent of the Sudan and the distribution of religions throughout Africa. Mohammedanism of a degraded type was advancing rapidly towards the heart of Africa and to meet this menace the Sudan United Mission, which was interdenominational. was formed. Tracing the journey to the eastern stations of the mission, he showed that Port Sudan on the Red Sea was now the port of entry to that part of the Sudan. After the railway line, anrl the Nile steamers were left behind, the lecturer and his wife had to make a twenty days’ journey by camel, and bull transport to reach their station in the Nuba mountains, though the journey had since been made considerably easier. The lecturer proceeded to give an entertaining account of the life and customs of the Nuba people. Pictures of the agricultural activities of the Nuba people showed that they possess considerable ability in this connection : they* Mere entering very keenly on the cultivation of cotton, for which the country was well suited. Many pictures were shown of the curious mountain huts in which the people live, originally for fear of the Moslem slave dealers, who until recently habituaJlv raided the territory. Now there was not one part of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan in which slave raiding was carried. on. Mr Mae Diarmid briefly outlined the industrial, medical and evangelistic work of the mission. Although there was no doctor at Ileiban station, they had to give between 8000 and 10.000 medical treatment there annually. In conclusion. Mr Mae Diarmid p.P what he termed the crucial question of whether the=r most primitive people whom he had described were to come under the sway of Islam or of Christ. At the dose of the lecture, the chairman. the Rev Rower Black, expressed the thanks of the audience to Mr Mac-Dia-rmid. Lambs Bring Record Price. One Ashburton County farmer will have no cause to regret the fact that he refused to '■ell his present season's lambs until recently. Last week Mr S. Corbett, of Wakanui. sold his first draft of sixty-six fa. lambs at the recorjJ price of 34s !«d. Small lots have been sold at similar prices, but for such a largo draft the price is exceptionally good Sudan Mission. The annual meeting of the Sudan United Mission was held in St Paul's Schoolroom last evening, the Rev W Rower Black presiding. There was a large att-ndsm e. Proceedings were opened with a hymn, followed by a prayer delivered !«' the chairman. The report stated that the committee desired to place on record the loc.c it had .suffered by the death of the Rr v harier Murray. M A The amount collected in ' anterhur- totalled £255 Is 2d gre^-and £221 -is Gd net. a considerable increase over an*- previous year’s collection which must be regarded as satisfactory. The report of the Women's Auxiliary was also received. The election of officers resulted as follows:

President, Rev W. Rower Black; vice-presidents, Messrs H. Beckingsalc and A. C. Wells; honorary secretary, Mr C. C. Wilson; honorary treasurer, Mr R. 11. Wilson; committee, Mes-

dames Jenkin. Brownlee, Smith, Molines and Wickeuden, Misses Campbell and Evans. Messrs, 1. Thomson. W. T. Lake. A. M. West, 1. Smellic, S. Wilkinson, and T. 11. Tones. :•! Leg Broken in Football Match. While a Waiau football match was in progress on Saturday two players collided, with the result that 11. Thompson had his leg broken. He was attended by Dr Smalc and is now an inmate of the Amuri Hospital. Rangitata Bridge to be Closed. The County Engineer (Mr A. A. Fooks) yesterday stated that the Rangitata Bridge would probably bo closed on Tuesday. May 4. when, it was anticipated. repairs would be commenced. Timber has already arrived in the vicinity of the bridge, and most of the plant will arrive on Monday. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes to be Honoured. For some time a movement has been afoot to celebrate in Tai Tapu, this being the centre nearest to his private residence, the retirement of Sir R. Ilea ton Rhodes. M.L.C., from the more active duties of Parliamentary life. A committee was appointed to formulate some plan, and al a meeting held during the past week i< was decided that the function take the form of a complimentarv social and welcome home, to be hold in the Public Hall on Tuesday, May 11. Sport at Cloudy Range. A part-- of Akaroa sportsmen. M„e?srs T Masefield. A. Helps and W. Jacobson, returned home on Saturday after a week’s deer stalking at Cloudy Range, beyond Akaroa. Eight stags fell to their guns, but as a party had secured thirty-ore a week earlier, the quarry were more wary, and difficult to approach. Anzac Memorial. A pleasant ceremony took place at the. Little Rakaia Schoolroom on Saturday afternoon, when Mr I). Jones, M.P.. •unveiled two pictures, one. "The Landing of the Anzacs on Gallipoli " in memory of the fallen - soldiers of the district, and the other a portrait o f the laic prime Minister, the late lion W. P. Massey The hymn “P God. Our Help in Age-? Past" was sung, and the Rev T <; Butler offered up a prayer. Mr Jones unveiled the two pi<-ture r and gave an interesting address, touching on the lives of the fallen heroes and the life of the late Prime Minister. X Rowing Club Hold* Carnival. The LvtteJtor. Rowing Club carnival was brought to a close on Saturday night, when the Mayor, Mr F. E. Sutton, presented the prize-money to the winning teams in the tug-o’-war competition. The results were: Youths— Milkers beat Reynolds by three inches. Seniors—Poultry Club beat Coalics by two inches; Reynolds’ team Heap’s l»y ten inches; Rowing Club beat Gun Club by two inches. Semi-final—Poul-try Club beat Heap’s team by six inches. Final- Rowing Club beat Reynolds’ by three inches.