12 AMONG THE PAGANS OF THE SOUTHERN SUDAN baptisms have recently taken place at Malek, and there is a steady growth of friendliness and trust in the attitude of the people towards the missionaries, and a greater readiness to accept their teaching.

The first confirmation held in the Mission took place at Malek in 1920, when two Dinkas and two Acholis were confirmed by Bishop Gwynne. The church was filled with over 140 people, mostly unclothed, who listened to the address with rapt attention, and eagerly watched every part of the ceremony.

One of the confirmees, Yoane (John), is now in charge of an out-school at Masumbu, and as a result of his work there ten people had been admitted to the catechumenate up to March, 1921. Though quiet and unassuming, he has proved to have great influence over his fellowcountrymen, and is keen and persevering. During school vacations he often carries out itineration tours in the surrounding district.

In 1912 a station was opened at Lau, a huge clearing in the forest, measuring about six miles long by threeand-a-half miles wide, in the centre of a well populated district, about 172 miles north-west of Malek. Here the work is among the Cic Dinkas, who are great cattle owners and agriculturists. The station is on the trade route between Rumbek and the Nile, and therefore occupies a position of strategic importance. The work is on the same lines as that at Malek, but it is now in abeyance, because the missionary in charge has had to be withdrawn for work elsewhere, and there is no one to take his place.

The year 1913 marked the beginning of work among the Azandi at YAMBIO, some 200 miles south-west of Malek. Progress here has been comparatively rapid, the people being more eager to be taught and quicker to learn than the Dinkas, and possessing none of their conservatism. Some six years after the work was begun the missionary in charge was able to report that there were a number of inquirers, that a beautiful little church had been built, and that the congregation numbered from 200 to 500 on