With the Bible in North Africa by Dugald Campbell; published by and available from John Ritchie Ltd; 118 pages. Price £7.99. (9781907731938)
With the Bible in North Africa is a further publication in John Ritchie's Classic Biography Series. It is, as the Prefatory Note from the pen of Lord Maclay states, "an intensely interesting story of travel and missionary effort not often equalled". For over fifty years, Campbell, a Scot, pioneered with the gospel and, through his diligence, portions of the Bible were published by the National Bible Society of Scotland in various languages. With the Bible in North Africa portrays his work as that of an itinerant preacher and Bible colporteur at a time in North Africa's history when Berbers, Arabs, Jews and Europeans were, with the exception of a minority of Muslim extremists, willing to receive copies of the Scriptures and listen to the gospel. How different are the present conditions in those parts. Morocco's constitution forbids anyone "shaking the faith of Muslims".
Campbell provides few dates to help the reader place his account historically. He mentions early in the book a visit to some of the areas in 1927. We know again from passing references that the French colonial power had dealt with a large-scale rebellion in the areas through which Campbell leads the reader from Tangiers over the Atlas Mountains to Hoggar at the centre of the Sahara Desert, equidistant from Algiers and Kano in Nigeria. The dangers involved in such a long journey by bus and camel were many, not least sandstorms and armed robbers. He carried with him Bibles in various languages and found a willingness to accept a Bible at all levels of society, among both Jews and Gentiles, and during a long-promised visit, in their black and white tents, to King Khammouk and Queen Demlah, who then ruled over the Veiled Tuaregs. Many of France's Foreign Legion and other troops also received Bibles and heard the gospel set out.
In his travels, Dugald Campbell also met some overseas missionaries; among those from the British assemblies, he names Mr & Mrs Fallaize, whom he describes as "two heroes of the Cross, Mr & Mrs Fisk and Miss Hamilton.
Dugald Campbell may not have realised how soon the day of opportunity would close on gospel preaching and the reading of the Bible. The night was coming when no man would be allowed to work. With the Bible in North Africa is testimony to how one man did what he could.
T Wilson
The Rescue of Timmy Trial - Aletheia Adventure Series Book 1 by E M Wilkie; published by and available from John Ritchie Ltd; 242 pages. (9781909803558)
The aim of this first book in the Aletheia Adventure Series is stated in the Preface as being "an attempt to help and encourage young readers to develop an understanding of the truth contained in the Word of God".
The story is set in the city of Aletheia, in the mysterious land of Err.
There is a full page detailed map of the city of Aletheia with names such as Redemption Square, Good Shepherd Primary School, Pray Always Farmlands and Run-the-Race Retirement Home.
In the land of Err there are similar names with spiritual significance in their meanings such as: Inner-self Improvement Centre, Know-it-all, Angerton, Mockton and Other-gods Conference Centre.
The reader is introduced to Jack Merryweather "an ordinary boy to whom extraordinary things never happened". Little did he think that this was about to change. Since the story is presented in an allegorical way, the individuals in Jack's class at school have names such as Marigold Goody who "never did anything wrong".
The adventure really begins with Jack encountering Timmy Trial who is the school bully. They enter the farm sheds belonging to Jack's Grandad and are transported into a mysterious land "the farm sheds were gone; there was a strange road ahead; an unknown city loomed large close by".
The purpose of their unexpected journey is revealed when Timmy is told by an inhabitant of the city "there's plenty that we can teach you during your time with us to help you understand what it means to become a Christian".
The two boys are joined by Henrietta Wallop and her two brothers, but Timmy has had enough and slips away "a lone figure walking south down Apathy Road".
An exciting adventure begins as the four children set out to rescue Timmy in the land of Err. Will they be kept safe from the dangerous Snares in the dark forest? Will they ever find Timmy? You will need to read the book to find out.
There are numerous illustrations throughout the narrative as well as a helpful list of Bible references included at the end of this imaginative book filled with valuable spiritual lessons.
A Cameron
